2.6.

Wholistic Guide to Technical Writing Accuracy Facility

A report writer must be tactful in the recording of data, statement This refers to the devices used by the writer to make his report or calculating mathematical figurs because an error committed and easy to read and understand. In most cases, report writing depends more in pacing, sequence, arrangement and continuity of ideas as an illogical statement written can create confusion as well as doubts over the wholetext. As a maxim, a writer must always aim well as information. to be understood and he has to guard himself against being Pacing technical or unfamiliar information should be presented misunderstood. in small quantity before presenting it in large quantity. Brevity Sequence the writer should lead the reader from familiar to unfamiliar; from simple to complex and from whole to the parts. To enhance understanding on the main purpose of the report, brevity in the development as well as the organization of ideas must be accounted for. In the same manner, accuracy of statements Arrangement the significant details should be stressed and balanced so as to show their proper relationship and importance. must be maintained. Actually, there is always an advantage of having a brief report; that is, it iseasier to grasp the main idea of the report written. It is common knowledge that observing brevity Continuity the thought of one part to another should be clearly is courtesy to the reader established, illustrated or stated. Confidence Grammatical Correctness

Bear it in mind that the finished product reflects the Lack of confidence on the part of the writer may result to poor writing. As a mandate, a good writer must have the quality of self- communicative competence of the writer. confidence. It is not enough that he has something to communicate but the has to decisive or sure of what he is writing about. In this Honesty case, he is always ever ready to either defend or when one finishes Honesty can be shown by telling the readers ones successes and a report, he is an authority. failures. This way, the writer presents to other researchers investigating the same subject not to commit errors or mistakes Dignity previously done. After developing the writers confidence, the next thing to Illustration establish is the ring of authority dignity. Likewise, this is one of the ethical standards. It has been said that this is a courtesy to your It is use to concretize either his thoughts or ideas. The term readers as a professional. He must see to it that all grammatical illustration includes charts, diagrams, clarify and support the constructions must be complete, there must be no flowery words writers views, precept, idea or the text given. or high-falluted terms used, the referent of pronouns which or that must be explicit; and word construction like cant and dont Judgement must be avoided. Lastly, he should be sure of the ideas or After gathering and collecting data and information, the writer information is well organized, simplified, summarized and should not expect that all those could be a part and parcel of his expressed in straightforward manner. text. He has to qualify them by judicious weighing. This can be done by considering these criteria: (1) most ample; (2) most Emphasis relevant or pertinent; (3) most simple in explaining the facts with In every writing activity, stressing the major points and least additional evidences; (4) most harmonious with the rest of subordinating them has always been the practice. As a matter of data and information. If most of these criteria are seen from his course, the writer must indicate the most important ones and never data collection, he may consider them as an integral part of his expect the reader to find out for himself. He provides markings of write-up. every step, directs him the right way and gives him the reason for Knowledge stopping at a particular portion. One of the primary objectives of writing is the imparting of ones knowledge. However. One should remember that knowledge is not limited for a mere collection of data or information because it involves analysis, interpretation and formulation of conclusion. Experience wise, data or information, which is not interpreted soundly, will become useless.

Logic

Revision

For better uderstanding, logic is a process of showing the relations As one of the phases of writing, revision takes an important role as among groups of things and classes of groups. Fundamentally, it is far as the expression is concerned. Revision is more than checking a way of doing classification putting things in their proper slots. the spelling, punctuation marks, spacing and margin. Likewise, By thinking logically, one can avoid the following trouble spots: one should be ater the diction, the organization of ideas and find (1) statement must not contradict each other; (2) words must be out whether the subject is fuly treated or not. used in a consistent sense; (3) statements must move in one Remember an effective report is one that is published and refined direction, whether space, time or relation; (4) statement must make sense; (5) judgements must not be based on too few datal (6) to perfection. The secret of good writing is rewriting. cause and effects should be clearly distinguished from simple Straight Sentences sequence; (7) conlusions should not be inferred if they have no connection with the datal (8) an authority should not be accepted The sentences must be limited to only one idea or two CLOSELY if he is biased or he is not an expert in that poarticular field. related idea. Mechanical Neatness Thoroughness

This connotes the general appearance of the report. For the best He has to make sure that he has said enough to satisfy the readers impression, a report must be perfect in shape. It must be properly needs and he has realized his objectives encoded or typed. It must also follow the proper margin, be free from typographical errors, erasures, crossing-outs and smudges. Mechanical devices such as correct labeling of main headings, subheadings, spacing, indentions and spacing, aid the writer to Unity make the content organization clear. A presentable and neat report reflects that the writer gave enough time and effort to give the Every part of it has a correlation to the main topic very best. There are 3 ways for checking unity Normal Procedure 1) Check whether the statements have something to do with the The writer must follow the acceptable arrangement of the different main topic parts of a report. People from all walks of life usually expect 2) Check if the topic of each paragraph is related to the next things to be presented in current as well as standard fashion. However, if a writer deviates from the normal procedure, he has to paragraph reeducate or re-orient his readers by explaining his reasons for 3) Make an outline form by getting the headings of each doing it. paragraph. Objectivity Viewpoint In research writing, the writer himself pretends to be another a piece of writing wether it is report, an article or a poem, is person, an uninterested observer, or an innocent one. In this instance, the third person point of view is preferred. He writes not always written from a certain viewpoint a proponent, a writer, a to impress but to express his ideas, beliefs or perceptions on the researcher or an author. Actually the viewpoint is established in topic he is working out. He should treat his subject matter the way the first sentence in order to maintain the consistency throughout the report. he sees or observes it. Planning Word Choice

This is a basic step in all activities. From the managerial point of the proper choice of words that are fitted to readers view planning gives purpose and direction to what he has to write. understanding. It involves thinking ahead of what one has to do, when to do it, Zest how to do it and who is to do it. As they say, when a thing is planned well, it ends well, too. If one applies the definition of zest to the discipline of technical writing, one could take this meaning to describe writing that is Qualification enjoyable and exciting .write only about things that are worth As one writes the text of the report, choose only those statements writing and which are invigorating. that have direct relationship to the topic being discussed. In other words, one should evaluate the ideas or statements to be included in the development of the report.