Expository Techniques of

Technical Writing
 A report is written to fulfill specific
purpose. Hence, the writer must send
facts and data to the management clearly
and forcibly enough to induce
administrative action.
Report Writing vs. Literary Writing
 Report writing may be different from
literary writing but it should not lack
style. It should not be dull. The writer
should present his ideas and findings in an
interesting and convincing manner which
reflects his involvement with the problem
and enthusiasm in preparing the report.
 Writing techniques make the report
interesting and easier to understand.
 These techniques are:
◦ Definition
◦ Description of mechanism
◦ Description of process
◦ Classification
◦ Comparison and Contrast
◦ Cause and Effect
◦ Illustration
◦ Partition
◦ Analogy
◦ Interpretation
Definition
 The need for defining happens when the
report uses technical terms which are not
familiar to the reader or when common
terms are used in the technical way.
◦ Two Classification of Definition
◦ 1. Formal Definition
◦ 2. Informal Definition
 Formal Definition
 This is an equation-like statement which
has three parts: term, genus and differentia.
◦ Term- word to be defined
◦ Genus- group or class the term belongs to
◦ Differentia- the distinctive characteristics of the
term, distinguishing it from the other members
of the same class.
 Ex. Triangle is a plane figure bounded by three straight
lines and has three angles.
 Carbohydrate is a food group including related
substances such as sugars, starches and cellulose.
Define the following terms formally:
 Marketing
 Love
 Oxygen
 Antipolo City
 Depreciation
Informal Definition
 To make sure the technical writer is
understood, he extends a definition
beyond a single sentence. The common
techniques in extending are examples,
analogy and description, details, concrete
examples and instances and word
derivative (origin of a word)
Description
 Using description is a way of writing
about the way things appear, the way they
are constructed and the way they act.
 There is a great need for manufacturers
to write clear and technical manuals to
explain their products.
◦ Two Kinds of Description
◦ 1. Description of Mechanism
◦ 2. Description of a Process
Description of Mechanism
 This deals with the physical nature of
whatever is being discussed, the purpose
of the device and how its parts work
separately and with one another and as a
whole.
◦ Mechanism- an assembly of movable parts
having one part fixed with respect to a frame
of reference and designed to produce an
effect. All parts operate and function properly.
Description of Process
 Process- series of steps
 A description of each of the steps in the
process in the order in which they occur.
Comparison and Contrast
 It involves a discussion of the subject in
relation to other subject showing
similarities and differences as the article
goes along.
Analogy
 This compares the unfamiliar to the
familiar words to make the unfamiliar
more understandable for the reader.
 Analogy is needed when the writer is
called to explain different concepts.
Classification
 It is a systematic process of dividing
materials into different classes or kinds. It
also involves grouping similar units in a
subclass which in turn falls under longer
class.
 It is a useful technique when you have a
number of like things to discuss among
which there are points of similarity and
differences necessary for the reader to
understand.
Give the different classifications of the
following:
 Your section
 Fruits
 Animals
 Places
 Water
Partition
 It divides a singular unit into its
components, steps or aspects. Only
singular units are partitioned, plural units
are classified.
 Ex. Tree- roots, trunk, branches, leaves
 Human Body
 Desktop computer
Cause and Effect
 This explains a condition by tracing it to
what produced the effect by showing
what it will produce. This discusses the
reason why something is true or shows
the results of some peculiar events or
state of mind.
Giving Instruction
 The purpose of giving instructions is to
make the reader do a specific operation.
The reader is expected to act. Each step
in the instruction is presented and clearly
explained to the reader who should carry
out to perform the operation.
Persuasion
 The writer should keep in mind that his
report is designed to convince the reader
of his viewpoint and to get then to take
some action.
 Every time an idea is presented, the
reader must be convinced that the idea
presented is well-reasoned and that the
recommendation given is the best action
to take.
Interpretation
 This refers to the art of establishing a
meaningful pattern of relationship among
a group of facts.
Activity
 Definition:
◦ Give the formal definition of the following:
◦ Computer
◦ Doctor
◦ Philippines
 Illustrations:
◦ Define the topics informally and expound by giving
examples:
◦ Hobbies
◦ Flowers
◦ Domestic animals
 Comparison and Contrast
◦ High school and College friends