Introduction to technical report writing

1. 1. INTRODUCTION
By
K. T. Oladepo
CVE 401 – TECHNICAL REPORT
WRITING

2. CVE 401 – TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING
1. INTRODUCTION
By
K. T. Oladepo

3. 3
Prof. C.T. Akanbi (FST)
Prof. K.T. Oladepo
Dr. G.O. Adunoye
Dr. A.L. Ayodele
LECTURERS

4. 4
CA – 30%
FINAL EXAM –
70%
GRADING

5. 1.1 Characteristics of Technical Writing
1.2 Should Technical Report Writing be Formally Taught?
1.3 Common Writing Deficiencies
1.3.1 Surnames not distinguishable
1.3.2 Spelling errors
1.3.3 Structurally deficient sentences
1.3.4 Miscellaneous others

6. 1.1 Characteristics of Technical Writing
The term technical, tends to connote
something strictly engineering, perhaps even
largely mechanical. However, it is much
more elastic than that. There are technical
aspects in the physical sciences, social
sciences, engineering and the arts, and
indeed all areas of human endeavour in
which acquisition or display of skill is
pertinent. The key ingredients in technical

7. 1.1 Characteristics of Technical Writing
(Cont’d)
Technical writing is all formal writing which
is in accordance with certain guiding rules
or principles. It is characterized by use of
words and expressions that are simple,
concrete and familiar rather than flowery,
high-sounding ones. The style is decidedly
impersonal and the tone is objective, with
an absence of any attempt to arouse
emotion.

8. 1.2 Should Technical Report Writing be Formally Taught?
 The question as to whether or not technical
report writing needs to be formally taught was
posed.
 Most respondents returned an emphatic yes
 A few indicated that it could (or should) be
learned on the job
 All respondents agreed that good writing skill
is an invaluable asset

9. 1.3 Common Writing
Deficiencies
 Professionals and non-professionals alike often
make certain surprising mistakes in writing letters,
memoranda, and reports. Some of the mistakes can
be annoying because they are not expected at the
level of the writers concerned
 In this section, some selected common mistakes are
briefly discussed in order to sensitise you to avoid
common writing pitfalls and in any case to further
make a case for a formal refresher in report writing

10. 1.3.1 Surnames not distinguishable
One practice very common among students at all
levels of education is that when they write their
names in full, the surnames are difficult to
determine
Problem statement

11. Teacher: How should you write your name such
that surnames are clearly distinguishable from
other names
1.3.1Surnames not distinguishable (Cont’d)
Responses: Students give such answers as
‘the surname must be written
first’
‘the surname must be written last
‘I would write out the surname in full and use initials
for the others’
Comment: All the responses are

12. Question: When you write your name, which
should come first – surname or first name?
1.3.1Surnames not distinguishable (Cont’d)
Answer: In general, your given name is called your
first name, it should be written first.

13. Now, let us look at examples of a few
names.
1.3.1Surnames not distinguishable (Cont’d)
Answer: In general, your surname is also called
your last name, it should be written last.
Question: What about the
surname?

14. 1.3.1 Surnames not distinguishable (Cont’d)
Examples of familiar names:
 Olusegun Obasanjo (not Obasanjo Olusegun)
 Michael Faborode (not Faborode Michael)
 Femi Gbajabiamila (not Gbajabiamila Femi)
 Ibukun Awosika (not Awosika Ibukun)

15. https://therenaissance.com.ng/?p=78891 What
teachers should teach students about their
names.
Reading Assignment
Download the following document and
read it.

16. 1.3.2 Spelling errors
The problem of spelling errors has
been greatly reduced because there
are facilities in most computer word-
processing packages to perform
spelling checks.

17. 1.3.3 Structurally deficient sentences
This has to do with wrong sentence structuring.
There are various examples in reports being
written by students. A typical one is shown
below.
‘In response to the request for a proposal for a
feasibility study on the establishment of a cassava
processing plant in Ile-Ife. I hereby submit this
report.’
Comment: The first full stop (.) should be replaced by a
comma. This is a very common error. There is no verb in
the first part, therefore it is not a sentence!

18. 1.3.4 Miscellaneous others
There is a wide variety of other inadequacies in
our day-to-day presentations. Typical examples
are as follows:
‘I suppose to attend a lecture this weekend.’ This
is wrong! The correct statement is ‘I am supposed
to attend a lecture this weekend.’