Features of technical writing

• Personal( I, we) vs impersonal (writer, author), one - ambiguity

• Passive vs active

• Clarity- redundant words

• Nominalization

• Readability

Redundant words

Wordy

It is my purpose in this report to present and justify the modifications that I recommend in order to increase the performance of your engine.

Redundant words

Better

My purpose in this report is to recommend certain modifications for improving the performance of your engine.

Nominalization

Verb formations

It has become necessary to automate the factory.

Noun formations

Automation of the factory has become a necessity.

Nominalization

Verb formations

During the entire process in which the product is designed, we should think about how it can be produced.

Noun formations

Throughout the product design process, thought should be given to the produceability.

Readability:general principles

• Establish your topic

• Use key words prominently

• Explain important concepts when writing for non-specialist readers

• Use standard terminology when writing for specialist reader

• Structure your text

Report writing

• (setting the problem in the context, have you made it relevant enough?)

• (which aspects of the problem you will focus on? reasons for this)

• (are your suggestions well described, the procedures clear, the focus sustained, information relevant?)

• (reflection on adequacy of solutions proposed)

Theses/journal articles

Abstract

(account of the work done)