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Cruz, Michelle A.

1. Differences between Technical Writing and Creative Writing.


Key Differences between Creative Writing and Technical
Writing
In creative writing the most of the part is self-created, although the
idea might be inspired but in technical writing the facts are to be
obliged and the note is delivered from leading on what previously other
greats have concluded.
Most commonly, the creative writing is for general audience or for
masses but technical writing is for specific audience.
The creative writing entertains people as it has poetry or some
illustrations or another idea, whereas the technical writing causes
boredom as it follows the strong pattern based on facts and is just to
transfer the information to the audience.
In technical writing the specialized vocabulary, such like scientific
terms and other are used while in creative writing, one can go with
slang or evocative phrases or even something which can be perceived
well by the audience.
Humor, satire might be the useful essences in creative writing but
such thoughts or ideas have no link with the technical writing.
Novel writing, poetry writing, satirical note are some of the types of
creative writing, whereas report analysis, proving formulas are types of
technical writing.
Source: Difference between Technical Writing and Creative Writing
By DifferenceBtw.com, UK based information portal
March 2016
http://www.differencebtw.com/difference-between-technical-writingand-creative-writing/
TECHNICAL WRITING AND IMAGINATIVE WRITING
Imaginative writing also holds principles of unity, coherence and
standard usage. Imaginative writers also let their ideas emerge and
develop over time. However, such writing is less academic and more
artistic and creative than technical and academic writing.

Imaginative writing can be ambiguous, meaning different things to


different people. Imaginative writing also requires the reader to draw
inferences, to make judgments that the writer does not state.
Technical writing should be unambiguous and direct. A work of
literature may be rich because it means different things to different
readers.
You expect to make inferences about poetry. You do not expect to make
inferences about technical writing.
Source: Technical Writing for Success (2nd Edition) by Darlene SmithWorthington and Sue Jefferson
2. The ABCs of Technical Writing
PROPERTIES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Accuracy
A technical paper should be free from errors. A misplaced
element or misstated fact could make months, even years of labor
worthless. Accuracy of statement depends not only on individual words
but on the way sentences are put together, the way the paragraphs
are developed, and the way the report as a whole is balance. In
conclusion, a technical writer should guard himself against being
misunderstood.
Brevity
A technical paper should be short or brief and makes use of
concise expressions. A technical writer should begin with his main
point and then show why it is sound. Emphasize the highlights of your
work, cut out

irrelevant comments, immaterial excursions

and

meaningless statements.
Confidence
A report writer should develop on his paper the sense of
reliability and trust. He should be sure enough to know more about the
subject than anyone else at that time. If he convinced that he is saying

is right, he should say it. If not, he should go back to see where the
problem lies and how he can correct it.

Dignity
Dignity refers to the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or
esteemed. Grammatical constructions in a technical paper should be
complete.

This

can

expression and

with

also be

achieved

with

straightforward

summarized, simplified and well organized

information.
Emphasis
A report writer should know how to stress major points. As a
matter of course, the writer must indicate the most important ones and
never expect the reader to find it out for himself. He should tell the
reader what is important and lead him from point to point by using a
straightforward style plenty of guideposts and transitional aids.
Facility
Facility is making the report easy to read and understand. For
facility, report writing should observe pacing, sequence, arrangement,
and continuity.
PACING is presenting technical and unfamiliar information in
small segments, explained, defined or illustrated before more of such
information is presented.
SEQUENCE is leading the reader from familiar to unfamiliar,
from the simple to complex, from the whole to the parts.
ARRANGEMENT is emphasizing and balancing important parts
to show their proper relationship and importance.
CONTINUITY is showing that the thought of one part to another
should be clearly established, illustrated or stated.
Grammatical Correctness

It is the rule of the thumb that whatever kind of writing a person


does, the application of grammatical rules is a must.
Honesty
Honesty in writing is chiefly acknowledging the use of other
peoples information or work either in footnotes or in text. This can also
be shown by telling the readers, ones successes and failures.

Illustration
Illustration material referred to as graphics or visuals which
includes charts, diagrams, tables, photos and other which is used to
elucidate, clarify and support the writers views, precept, idea, or the
text given.
Judgment
This can also be referred to as qualifying or weighing the
materials that he had gathered. These can be done by considering
these criteria: (1) most ample; (2) most relevant or pertinent; (3) most
simple in explaining the facts with least additional evidence; (4) most
harmonious with the rest of the data and information.
Knowledge
Knowledge which is more than a collection of data, involves
interpretation and the formulation of conclusions.
Logic
Logic is thinking straight. It is the process of showing the
relations among groups of things and classes of groups.
Fundamentally, it is the way of doing classification putting
things in their proper slots.
By thinking logically, one can avoid the following trouble spots:
1. Statements must not contradict each other.
2. Words must be used in a consistent sense.

3. Statements must move in one direction, whether space, time, or


relation.
4. Statements must make sense.
5. Judgments must not be based on too few data.
6. Cause and effects should be clearly distinguished from simple
sequence.
7. Conclusions should not be inferred if they have no connection with
the data.
8. An authority should not be accepted if he is biased or he is not an
expert in that particular field.
Mechanical Neatness
Mechanical Neatness connotes the general appearance of the
report. It involves putting the report in perfect shape neatly typed and
well margined. A presentable and neat report reflects that the writer
gave enough time and effort to give the very best.
Normal Procedure
Normal procedure is following or conformity to the acceptable
arrangement of the different parts of a report. Report readers are used
into finding information presented in standard fashion. If someone
departs from this, readers tend to be confused.
Objectivity
Objectivity is the writers assuming a detached, impartial point of
view. He writes not impress but to express his ideas, beliefs or
perceptions on the topic he is working out. He should treat his subject
matter the way he sees or observes it.
Planning
This gives purpose and direction to what he has to write. It
involves thinking ahead of what one has to do. When to do it, how to
do it and who is to do it.
Qualification

Qualification is explaining the circumstances surrounding the


work because they might have affected the results to be reported. It
also includes the evaluation of ideas, facts, or statements to be
included in the development of the report.
Revision
Revision is more than checking the spelling, punctuation marks,
spacing and margin. An effective report is one that is published and
refined to its perfection. The secret of good writing is rewriting.
Straight Sentences
It is a good practice that the sentences to be employed must be
limited to only one idea or two closely related ideas.
Thoroughness
Thoroughness is treating the subject fully for the report to have a
lasting value. He has to make sure that he has said enough to satisfy
the readers needs and achieve his objectives.
Unity
Unity implies that all details and facts in the report are clearly
relevant to the main point under discussion. The main objective of a
unified report is to let the readers feel that they have read everything
essential to the subject undertaken.
Viewpoint
The viewpoint is established with the first sentence and should
be maintained consistently throughout the report.
Word Choice
Your report may be read by non-specialist as well as specialists in
your field but it is safe to assume that this non-specialist is at least a
semispecialist or he would not be reading your report. He will have
enough sense to grasp the meaning of specialized words so there is no
reason to avoid technical words in a technical report. There is good

reason, however, to avoid pompous, ornate words and especially


vague words.
You-Point
A report is aimed at an audience. Thus your information can be
presented in segments appropriate to your readers knowledge and
needs.
Zest
Write only when you have something worth saying, and then
write as though you were performing service that only you can
perform. Moreover, write as though you enjoyed it.
Source: Elements of Technical Report Writing by Paul M. Zall (1980)
Writing a technical report is often a real challenge for many technical
professionals. The research, investigation or designs are why youre
doing what you love to do but then you have to write a report. And
that has the potential to be the weak link. But there are some features
of technical writing that are essential, whatever your field or
organization. I like to remember them as the ABCS of Technical Writing:
accuracy, brevity, clarity, and simplicity.
1) Accuracy: accurate reporting of your findings; accurate presentation
of the facts; accurate representation of your findings, in accordance
with the methods youve used. Make sure you clearly indicate where
youve expressed an opinion, rather than a certain outcome of your
investigation. As far as possible, give specific information rather than
generalizations.
2) Brevity: Try to keep the document as short as possible time-poor
readers will appreciate that. Consider placing background and
supporting information into an appendix, footnote or endnote

reference. As much as possible, keep sentences short (15 to 20 words


works well for most readers), with only one idea expressed in each
sentence.
3) Clarity: Use familiar vocabulary and constructions (make sure youve
thought about who will read your report and be prepared to explain
potentially unfamiliar words, perhaps as a glossary, footnote or
endnote). Be consistent with your terminology, abbreviations and
presentation of figures, tables, illustrations, etc. Consider using tables,
figures, graphs, illustrations to demonstrate your point as they say,
a picture saves a thousand words. Remember that jargon (specialized
terms used in your field) excludes those who are unfamiliar with those
words. Use precise words: your readers dont appreciate having to
decide if a word has a slightly different meaning in different contexts. A
useful technique is to use bullet or numbered points to express
complex ideas (if your discipline or organization allows).
4) Simplicity: This is about expressing your thoughts with simplicity,
not simplifying your work. Remember your readers: you want to show
them the value of your work, not what a good writer you are. The
content is more important than extravagant writing. Verbosity hinders
your readers understanding. Make sure youve thought about the
logical progression of your report. Plan the structure of your document
so that you lead your readers to the conclusion youve reached. The
simplicity inherent in the use of plain English (active voice, reasonable
sentence length, wise use of specialized terms, no verbosity) will serve
you well.
Source: The ABCs of Technical Writing 4 Features Technical Writers
Need to Know
By Desolie Page

March 20, 2010


http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/2010/03/20/the-abcsof-technical-writing-4-features-technical-writers-need-to-know/

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