PES Institute of
Technology & Management
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Technical Writing Skills | BCV456D
Module 1
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Course Introduction
• Communication skill is very important for students as well as any
professionals
• Communication skill includes
A. Verbal communication
B. Non-verbal communication
C. Written communication
D. Visual communication
E. Listening
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Course Introduction
• Technical writing is a method or skill required to communicate
specialized or specific information
• Technical writing simplifies complex information
• It also provides clarity on content
• Technical writing is useful for preparation of manuals, magazines,
regulations, books, applications, articles,
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Writing Process – Meaning
• Writing is an act and art of expressing ideas, thoughts,
processes, imaginations, hypothesis though words
• Creative writing and technical writing are two broad
contexts of effective writing
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Writing Process – Steps Involved
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Writing Process – 1. Pre-Writing
• It is also referred to as planning
• Study / Research / Understanding is required for writing
• Brainstorming also will help in this phase
• Organizing the contents in order is also a part of plan
• Target audience is very significant aspect to be considered
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Writing Process – 2. Drafting
• Preliminary write-up is called drafting
• Draft indicates that the writing is not comprehensive
• Drafting may or may not be sequential
• It is also referred to as rough copy or blueprint
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Writing Process – 3. Revising
• To check the contents for flow
• The contents to be verified for logic
• Rearranging of words and phrases
• Addition of content or deletion is also part of revising
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Writing Process – 4. Editing
• It is also called proof reading
• Grammatical improvements & spell checks are required
• Capitalization & punctuations to be verified
• Assistance of experts or other individuals may also be
considered
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Writing Process – 5. Publishing
• Presentable or readable manner
• Giving the content a form
• For a commercial content, self publishing may also be
practiced
• Permissions / processes to publish also to be followed
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Technical Writing Process
• Technical writing is a process of expression of facts,
instructions, findings and other such aspects.
• Technical writing is often associated with science, engineering
and technology
• It is also applicable to academic writing, text book writing
research, discovery, invention
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Technical & General Writing
Technical Writing General Writing
Primarily includes factual data Writing can be of any nature
Objective is to communicate information Imagination dictates objective
Instructions to follow & explanations are General writing is for entertainment or
part of technical writing amusement
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Technical & General Writing
Technical Writing General Writing
A structures or suggested format is
Attractive formats may be preferred
preferred
A combination of formal and informal
Formal writing practice is intended
may be used
Expectation of audience for technical Audience expectation for general writing
writing is different varies
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Technical & General Writing
Technical Writing General Writing
Voice, Speech & View point is passive,
Depends on the narration
indirect and 3rd person
Charts, graphs, schematic
More of texts
representations are used
There is no emotional engagement and General writing involves emotions and
personal bias bias
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Structure of a Technical Report
• Title
• Abstract
• Contents
• Introduction
• Main content / body
• Conclusion / Summary
• References / Bibliography
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Technical Report Writing Process
• Collection of Information: Books, Journals, E-resources
• Drafting & Revising: Heading, Sub Heading, Body
• Diagrams, Sketches, Tables, Charts
• Originality & Plagiarism
• Finalizing & Publishing
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Types of Technical Report
• In a broader classification there are two types of technical
report
1. Formal technical report
2. Informal technical report
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Formal & Informal Technical Report
Particular Formal Informal
Structured, Longer,
1. Structure & Length Shorter, Less Structured
Formatted
In-depth analysis Quick Communication,
2. Purpose
Decision making Routine
External
3. Audience Internal
Internal executive level
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Formal & Informal Technical Report
Particular Formal Informal
Formal, Precise
4. Language Natural, Casual
Unbiased
Introduction, Methods, Depends on type of
5. Sections
Findings, Conclusion report
6. Visual Aids Charts, Graphs, Tables Not essential
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
1. Formal Technical Reports
A. Feasibility Report
B. Annual Reports
C. Research Reports
D. SOP
E. Business Plans
F. Critical Evaluation Reports
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
2. Informal Technical Reports
A. E-mail
B. Progress Reports
C. Incident Reports
D. Laboratory Reports
E. Inspection Reports
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Sample Question
1. Which of the following language is used in Technical writing
a) Figurative
b) Poetic
c) Factual
d) Dramatic
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Sample Question
2. Which of the following language is used in Creative writing
a) Logical
b) Poetic
c) Factual
d) Technical
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Sample Question
3. Which of the following should not be given importance in
technical writing
a) Facts
b) Gramar
c) Punctuation
d) Opinion
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga
Sample Question
4. What is the objective of writing a report?
a) Present record of work
b) Schedules & milestones
c) Both a & b
d) None of the above
End of Module 1
Thank you
TWS | BCV456D| Department of Civil Engineering | PESITM | Shivamogga