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Technical Communication Certificate
Technical writing places extra emphasis on writing for a specific audience with a specific goal in mind. It also demands strict attention to organization and formatting.
Start early!
It is important to allow time for revision and to seek assistance.
Analyze the assignment
Does your instructor expect you to argue, agree/disagree, criticize, define, describe, discuss, evaluate, explain, explore, compare/contrast, persuade, reflect, summarize? What are the recommended or possible approaches?
Define your objective
What do you hope to achieve with your document?
What do you want to get the reader to do?
Incorporate this objective in your introduction.
Identify your audience
Who exactly is your intended reader?
(Consider the instructor to be a member of your audience)
What does the reader already know, or not know?
As you plan and write your paper, imagine you are having a continuous conversation with this reader.
Consider the context of use
Under what circumstances will your document be read?
Prepare a logical outline of your ideas
Keep in mind the needs of your reader.
Make sure that your claims are effectively supported by evidence.
Write your draft according to your outline
Begin each paragraph with a thesis sentence.
Let your outline suggest headings to make the reader's job easier.
Have your draft reviewed by another person - Visit the Writing Center!
Revise and rewrite the draft
Proofread
For style, tone, clarity, grammar, spelling and punctuation, formatting.
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