ABCs of Technical Writing

ACCURACY Tactfulness in recording data

BREVITY Direct to the point; Conciseness
CONFIDENCE Being decisive in communicating
DIGNITY Courtesy to readers as professional
FACILITY Devices used by the writer to make the report easy to understand
EMPHASIS Knowing what is important to the reader
HONESTY Citing sources
ILLUSTRATION Charts, graphs, diagrams
JUDGEMENT Qualify data and information gathered
KNOWLEDGE Collection of data and information
LOGIC Process of qualification
MECHANICAL NEATNESS General Appearance of the report
NORMAL PROCEDURE Conformity to general standard
OBJECTIVITY Writer consider himself as another person
PLANNING Gives purpose and direction to the process
QUALIFICATION Evaluate ideas to be included
REVISION Check statements, spelling, punctuation etc.
STRAIGHT SENTENCE Vary sentence structure and use of transitional device
THOROUGHNESS Substance of report
UNITY Coherence of ideas
VIEWPOINT Perspective in Writing
WORD CHOICE Avoid words difficult to understand
ZEST Write things that are invigorating
 Products of Technical Writing

Technical Report Provides useful information about a complete program of work

Contract Formal Agreement between two parties
Feasibility Report Proposed project or plan intended to make reader realize that
the undertaking is beneficial and attainable
Brochure Pamphlet or printed material that aims to persuade reader to
take action on companys services
Abstract Summarized form of a long piece of writing
Instructional Manual Contains directions for work procedure or use of technical
equipment
Proposal Suggestions of actions usually involving change or performance
Progress Report Contains account of what has been accomplished on a project
Policy A plan of action adopted or preserved by an individual or agency
Article for Technical Journal A technical paper containing abstract, intro, discussion, and
summary aimed to be published in a journal
Memorandum Internal written communication aimed at disseminating
information
Monograph Thorough textbook that requires full illustration and
documentation
Graphic Aids Pictures, Graphs, Diagrams in a report
Specification Detailed information about performance courses, materials for
construction, theory of operations and sample calculations
Printed Action Memo Prepared form that requires only a checkmark in an appropriate
square to indicate check mark
Survey Report Thorough study of any subject. Subjects could include public
opinions, labor policies, and potential market products
Trip Report An account of professional or business trip
Laboratory Report A record of procedures and results of a laboratory test.
Technical Paper A research paper usually about a theory or new development
written for professional journal or magazine
Business Letters a. Sales
b. Order
c. Reply
d. Apology
e. Application
f. Complaint
g. Confirmation
h. Retrenchment
i. Resignation
j. Retrenchment
k. Recommendation