New Directions in Teaching Technical Report Writing

1975 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Jordan
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Traditional Instruction ◽  
Technical Writing ◽  
Report Writing ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Technical Report ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Technical Writer

The traditional instruction of technical report writing leans heavily on the conventions of English grammar and on principles advocated by grammarians, journalists, and literature scholars. The effect has been so strong—particularly in North America—that the word “technical” in technical writer, technical writing, and technical reports has literally become almost meaningless. This article discusses a few important differences between technical and nontechnical writing. It also explains some shortcomings of the traditional instruction and suggests methods of improvement.

“How Can We Help Technical Writing Students?” Reading Centers Ask

1976 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-128
Author(s):  
Eleanor M. Schenck
Keyword(s):  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Technical Writing ◽  
English Teacher ◽  
College Level ◽  
Report Writing ◽  
College Reading ◽  
Technical Report ◽  
Writing Students ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Reading Instructors

For the purpose of continually improving an English teacher training program, an attempt was made to research the expected competencies of reading instructors in relation to technical report writers. Interviews were conducted with those involved in the teaching of technical report writing. The interviews reflected very little familiarity with reading instruction at the college level. The results were coupled with current research findings on training and duties of college reading instructors. This suggested a possible strategy for improving services to technical report writing students.

The Student as Consultant

1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-315
Author(s):  
Steven Zachary Rothmel
Keyword(s):  
Technical Writing ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Writing Teacher ◽  
Realistic Situation ◽  
Technical Report ◽  
Writing Course ◽  
Technical Writer ◽  
Oriented Approach

The technical writing course has the potential to be one of the most valuable and relevant classes that a student takes, but before his rhetorical skills can improve he must overcome his reluctance to write. The formal technical report, the most challenging and the most rewarding assignment, offers the technical writing teacher a unique opportunity to bring his course to life and to enrich each class member's learning experience. The author has developed an approach to the major report that allows the student to assume the role of a consultant in his field while simultaneously permitting him to feel independent and creative. The inexperienced technical writer must create a realistic situation in which someone would require the technical information he wishes to convey. Placing the student in the role of a consultant makes him more aware of his audience and its needs. This problem-oriented approach effectively increases the writer's liberty to choose an appropriate topic and his responsibility to present it in a coherent and professional manner.

Six Innovative Methods of Teaching Technical Writing

1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-195
Author(s):  
Herman A. Estrin
Keyword(s):  
Technical Writing ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Writing For Publication ◽  
Report Writing ◽  
Innovative Methods ◽  
Technical Report ◽  
Writing Students ◽  
Writing Science

Several innovative methods were used to help technical writing students to write more purposively, professionally, and effectively: writing a paper on the improvement of style in technical writing; reading science literature and writing critiques; editing a technical report; writing a professional technical report; writing science books for children; and writing for publication.

The Informational Sketch — A Major Vice of the Technical Writer

1982 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13
Author(s):  
George H. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Technical Writing ◽  
Technical Paper ◽  
Technical Writer ◽  
Narrative Functions

The author of this article argues that all too often teachers of technical writing spend too much time pressuring their students to write simply and without jargon, and that as a result they often get writing that is bad because it is skeletal and undeveloped writing lacking in continuity and narrative functions. The technical writer is often overjoyed to submit outline-writing because it requires small effort, not realizing that it shifts the burden of interpretation to the reader. The author recommends a number of cures for the skeletal technical paper.

Visual/Graphic Aids for the Technical Report

1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Cury
Keyword(s):  
Flow Chart ◽  
White Space ◽  
Grid Graph ◽  
Grid Graphs ◽  
Process Maps ◽  
Technical Report ◽  
Technical Writer ◽  
Flow Charts ◽  
Visual Description ◽  
Visual Graphic

Authors of technical papers have many visual/graphic aids available to them. The most common are: grid graphs, tables, bar charts, flow charts, maps, pie diagrams, and drawings and sketches. Grid graphs are used to show relationships. Tables allow the reader to make comparisons of data. The bar chart is another form of the grid graph and is used for the same purpose. A flow chart gives the reader a visual description of a process. Maps show the location of specific features. Pie diagrams show the proportional breakdown of a topic. Pictures and sketches show the reader exactly what is being talked about in the report. Visual/graphic aids allow the technical writer to condense and present his information in an aesthetically pleasing manner; in addition, these aids serve as psychological white space.

Technical Writing in the Eighties

1974 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard W. Schmelzer
Keyword(s):  
Technical Writing ◽  
Information Storage And Retrieval ◽  
Information Storage ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Nineteen Eighties ◽  
Storage And Retrieval ◽  
Interactive Lectures ◽  
Technical Writer ◽  
Information Bank

Three present-day developments are very likely to have a major influence upon technical writing in the nineteen eighties. These are: interactive lectures, information storage and retrieval, and the development of an ultra-small electronic camera for movies, television, and still pictures. Carefully tested interactive lectures will provide individual attention for learners at the time it is most needed. Under a perfected system of information storage and retrieval, the technical writer would suggest to the reader the kinds of information to request from a nation-wide information bank. He would also assist in the screening of information so that learners would not be deluged by surplus information. The small electronic camera will enable the technical writer to illustrate his instructions on the user's TV set. Thus, the technical writer of the eighties could well become a writer-producer.

Biomechanical Applications of Computers in Engineering Education

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Schonning
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Computer Models ◽  
Computer Aided Engineering ◽  
Engineering Curriculum ◽  
Report Writing ◽  
Engineering Software ◽  
Technical Report ◽  
Computer Aided

This paper discusses integration of biomechanical research in the undergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum. The projects presented emphasize the use of computers and computer-aided engineering software. Two different projects are discussed. The first project involves generation of three-dimensional computer models of the bones of the lower limb, and the second project the generation of three-dimensional computer models of the shoulder to be used in developing an implant. Through these projects the students learned specialized computer-aided engineering software tools and also enhanced their communication skills through technical report writing and presenting a paper at a conference.

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