This document discusses the characteristics, principles, and outputs of technical writing. It defines technical writing as providing descriptions of aspects of business, science, technology, or other professions through experience, observation, study or investigation. The final output is typically a technical report. It then outlines characteristics of technical writing such as using subject matter expertise and specialized vocabulary. Basic principles include understanding the reader and purpose, having subject matter knowledge, writing objectively, and using proper format and ethical standards. The document concludes by listing various end products of technical writing such as reports, manuals, proposals, and journal articles.

1. TECHNICAL WRITING
Characteristics, Principles and Outputs

2. Technical Writing/ Report Writing
 This is to give account or description of an aspect of a
particular business, science, technology, trade, industry,
government and other professions learned by experience,
observation, study or investigation (Vicente, et. al, 2004).
 The final output of this process is a technical report which
may range in complexity and size from a simple
memorandum or letter to complex reports.
 Every field of knowledge has developed its own technology
and sets of terminologies.

3. Characteristics of Technical Writing
 Technical writing deals with a subject matter.
 Technical writing is characterized by formal elements such as
scientific and technical vocabulary.
 Technical writing utilizes writing styles e.g. description, cause
and effect, classification, illustration, partition, comparison
and contrast.
 Technical writing presents and explains a subject matter in a
clear, accurate, and concise manner. It maintains an attitude
of impartiality and objectivity and by the absence of any
attempt to arouse emotions.

4. Basic Principles of Technical Writing
Understand the reader
 A writer should always have in mind a specific reader (real or
imaginary). The writer assumes that the reader is intelligent but
uninformed.
Know the purpose of the technical report
 The writer determines the exact purpose of his report, and
should make sure that every word, sentence and paragraph
contributes to that purpose.
Know the subject matter
 A writer must have sufficient knowledge of the subject he is to
write about.

5. Basic Principles of Technical Writing
Write Objectively
 The writer should use a language that is simple, concrete
and familiar. A good technical writer must emphasize the
facts and the data.
Use Correct Format
 The technical writer should make his report attractive to
look at.
Adopt Ethical Standards
 A good technical writer acknowledges the help he receives
from others and documents sources of reference materials.

6. Zall’s Holistic Guide to Technical Writing
 Accuracy
 A writer must be tactful in recording data, statement or
calculating mathematical figures. An error committed and an
illogical statement can create confusion as well as doubts over
the whole text.
 Brevity
 Being brief means courtesy to the reader. The reader should
get the essence of your thinking in a compressed form.
 Confidence
 The writer should be decisive or sure of what he is writing
about.

7. Zall’s Holistic Guide to Technical Writing
 Dignity
 The writer must be certain that all grammatical constructions
are correct. You need to be formal with your words and know
the words are used.
 Emphasis
 The writer should know what is important to the reader and
never expect that the reader will find it our for himself. He has
to lead them from point to point.
 Facility
 This refers to the devices used by the writer to make his report
easy to read and understand. The link from one part to another
should be clearly established, illustrated or stated.

8. End Products of Technical Writing
 Abstract- A condensed form of a long piece of written
work.
 Brochure- A set of printed information printed on specially
chosen materials in min-book form or loose sheets.
 Business Letters/Correspondence- Written communication
to link businessmen with customers or clients.

9. End Products of Technical Writing
 Contract- A written document between persons,
companies or organizations which contains details of
matters mutually agreed upon.
 Feasibility Report- Presents facts, information that clarify
the financial, economic, technical and beneficial aspects of
a plan.
 Graphic Aids- Come in pictures, graphs, diagrams, tables,
sketch forms and are used to illustrate important details in
reports.

10. End Products of Technical Writing
 Instructional Manual- A technical document which briefly
describes the product and its purposes.
 Laboratory Report- Specifically describes the scope of a
project, instrument and materials used, steps undertaken
and results, conclusions and recommendation drafted.
 Memorandum- Written communication circulated within
the company and its branches.

11. End Products of Technical Writing
 Policy- A written agreement with a company that contains
a plan of action adopted or preserved by both parties.
 Printed Action Memo- A memo in prepared written form
that the writer just have to put a check mark on an
appropriate box or space to indicate his message.
 Progress Report- A document written in narrative format
to present history of a project over a given period of time.
It covers from the start of the endeavor until the
completion.

12. End Products of Technical Writing
 Proposal- A formal statement of a plan or idea that is
officially suggested for someone to consider.
 Specification- A graphical, tabular or textual document
which contains particular information about performance
status, etc.
 Survey Report- Contains the voice or opinion of the
population necessary in the formulation and drafting of a
conclusion which the researcher or writer may need in his
next project.

13. End Products of Technical Writing
 Journal Article- A comprehensive research done by an
expert in a specific field of discipline.
 Recommendation Report- It is a detailed report that
attests the skills of a job seeker relevant to the target work
position.