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Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal

HSS 209: Technical Writing (2)

• Introduction to Technical Writing
• The Process of Writing
• Elements of Style
• Technical Writing(Report, Proposal, Review& Research Paper)

Introduction to Technical Writing: Definition of technical writing; Basic principles in technical writing; characteristics of effective technical writing and other types of writing

The Process of Writing: Four-step process for technical writing: analyse, organize, write, and revise. Understanding audience/readers, collecting and organizing information and drafting information verbally and visually. Techniques of paragraph development. Using Illustrations-purpose and qualities of visuals.

Elements of Style: Identifying and avoiding common grammatical errors, use of proper punctuation, word choice, words and expression commonly misused and words often misspelled. Formal academic writing style-Clarity, precise, familiar and forthright. Avoiding impediments to writing and academic dishonesty /plagiarism.

Technical Writing(Report, Proposal, Review& Research Paper): Formal Technical Reports and Informal Reports: Front Matter, Main body and Back Matter. Citation/Referencing style (APA/Chicago/ Harvard) Writing a procedure, describing machines/processesand writing instructions. Types of review and edit; review and editing methodology Format: Typography and layout of documents Writing research proposals, research papers, abstractsand smart e-mails.

Writing Assignment/ Activity – Summary / report / review writing

Suggested Books:

• The Elements of Style-William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White. (Pearson Education, Inc.)
• Technical Communication: A Practical Approach - William Sanborn Pfeiffer and T.V.S Padmaja (Pearson Education, Inc.)
• Technical Communication: Principles and Practice - Meenakshi Raman and Sangeeta Sharma (Oxford University Press).

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