0 evaluări0% au considerat acest document util (0 voturi)
88 vizualizări17 pagini
This document discusses the key differences between technical and non-technical writing. Technical writing deals with topics in science, technology, and systems development. It is objective and fact-based, focuses on hard data from observations and experiments, and requires interaction between writers and readers. The purpose is factual communication to document issues, write instructions, or report on job-related activities. In contrast, non-technical writing can be subjective, based on ideas or emotions, and does not necessarily require a response from readers.
This document discusses the key differences between technical and non-technical writing. Technical writing deals with topics in science, technology, and systems development. It is objective and fact-based, focuses on hard data from observations and experiments, and requires interaction between writers and readers. The purpose is factual communication to document issues, write instructions, or report on job-related activities. In contrast, non-technical writing can be subjective, based on ideas or emotions, and does not necessarily require a response from readers.
This document discusses the key differences between technical and non-technical writing. Technical writing deals with topics in science, technology, and systems development. It is objective and fact-based, focuses on hard data from observations and experiments, and requires interaction between writers and readers. The purpose is factual communication to document issues, write instructions, or report on job-related activities. In contrast, non-technical writing can be subjective, based on ideas or emotions, and does not necessarily require a response from readers.
advertising, essays, plays, poetry, and other non-technical prose. What is Technical Writing? (Cont…)
It deals with topics of technical nature—
specialized area of science and technology.
Technical and Newspaper writers
Types of writing
Fiction writers draw experiences in the text.
Imaginative writing
Expressive writing (subjectivity)
Expository writing (Objectivity…expect response)
Persuasive writing Writers and readers (non-technical writing) An audience is expected to read fiction, expressive, expository and persuasive writing
Such as editorial, but writers and readers are
often detached either by time and location, e.g.
Shakespeare's fiction is read after years
Teachers read students’ expository essays after
days. Writers and readers (non-technical writing) (cont.) We read newspaper editorials and other persuasive texts in a setting or time distant from the writer.
The writers might have had a particular
audience in mind and they might directed comments towards these readers’ needs, the writer and reader are not involved in a dialogue. Writers and readers (non-technical writing) (Cont.) The writer expresses an idea, and no action is required, no input is expected, no follow-up is mandated.
Fiction, expressive, imaginative, persuasive
writers say, “here’s how I feel; here’s what I think ; here’s what I believe”. Its up to the readers to do with the information as he or she pleases. Technical writing
Technical writing is different:
It requires give- and take, a dialogue, Input and output. Writing a memo, you expect a reaction. You want a suggestion, a job completed or a problem solved. If you write a letter, you expect to make a sale, or to receive an answer to an inquiry. You write instructions, you know that some will follow the steps you have outlined.
In fictional writing…the writers often write in
vacuum… No immediate feedback.
But in technical correspondence, detachment
between writers and readers does not exist. Overall, technical writing creates link between you and boss, clients, seller, and co-workers.
Technical writing creates action and when you
write successful technical correspondence, someone on the other hand responds. Technical and Non-Technical Writing Content Non-Technical Writing Technical Writing
Idea, emotion, Hard facts, within the
impression, reaction range of observation, to a reality, opinion. calculation and experiment. Style
Non-Technical Writing Technical Writing
Personal feelings Objectivity Likes and dislikes Personal liking and disliking is excluded Use of passive voice and third person Remember:
Technical writing is not a sub-standard form of
expression.
It meets the conventional standards of
grammar, punctuation and syntax. However, it is marked by its own idiosyncrasies. Purposes
Why do we write technical correspondence?
Purposes are:
You need to document mechanical
problems,
EE write maintenance procedure,
Purposes (Cont.)
Computer Engineers/ technicians write
instructions for users manual
Investors promote a service and a product
Business people report on job-related travel,
weekly sales calls, meeting minutes, quickly circle activities. Purposes (Cont.)
Non-Technical Writing Technical Writing
To entertain Factual To instruct communication of To inspire experience Observations and calculations