Features of technical writing Impersonality Objectivity Clarity Conciseness

Features of technical writing • • • Impersonality Objectivity Clarity Conciseness Informativity Readability B. Kosel

paragraph development Topic statement Supporting statements B. Kosel

Paragraph building deductive pattern Sentences 1 -2 a good topic(main idea) statement introduce the topic, complete statement of the main idea, not too much detail, use one or more key words, refine the topic(sentence 2), suggest how the topic will be developed: • By comparison and contrast, • By cause-and-effect analysis etc. B. Kosel

Patterns of supporting statements • • Chronological description Cause and effect analysis Comparison and contrast Listing B. Kosel

Chronological description Time adverbs and phrases: in 1980, last week, at 10. 15, first, second, finally, soon after the project began verb tense sequencing: Originally we wanted. . more recently we have attempted, now we are trying, in the future we will try to B. Kosel

Cause and effect • Connective words: therefore, thus, consequently, as a result, so, accordingly • Subordinate clauses: since, because of • Verbs: cause, result in, give rise to, afftect, require, produce B. Kosel

Comparison and contrast • Connective words: however, on the other hand, in contrast, similarly, likewise • Comparative constructions: more than, er, as. . . as, less than, rather than, is different from, the more. . . The less • Subordinate clauses: while, whereas, but B. Kosel

Listing • Parallel form: A is , B seems, C is also, D are also • Order of importance: most important, of lesser importance, least important B. Kosel

From general to particular • Each next sentence focuses on a smaller frame of reference B. Kosel

coherence Given. . . . new Old. . . . . new Old. . . . . new B. Kosel

Useful internet pages www. gcal. ac. uk/coursework/writing/linking. ht ml www. flo-joe. co. uk/cae/students/writing/linking www. vuw. ac. nz/st_services/slss/ essay_writing/linking_words_phrases. html B. Kosel