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
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