SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL WRITING BASICS

Basic Components of a Report Title Abstract Overview/ Intro/Background Problem Statement Alternatives Evaluation Process Results and Selected Design Conclusion and Supplements

REPORTS ARE SEGMENTED Real divisions of information that can stand alone.

Start by Knowing Your AUDIENCE WHO?

Be Flexible As Audiences Change Change Perspective (marketing v shipping) Change Tone (Engineer v. City Council) Change Content Interest levels/Technical Knowledge Supplements and Appendices

AUDIENCE What do they care about? $, Time, etc What do they know? Tech Knowledge 1 2 3 4 5 What basic facts MUST they understand?

Second, Know Your PURPOSE Win a Contract ? Present Options? Explain Problems? Progress Report? Defend work?

BIG PICTURE

BIG PICTURE Design Approach Thought Process

PURPOSE?

Brand

Clients Do $$ Brands and Ideas (sometimes without a lot of details)

ONCE YOU KNOW Audience Purpose

ORGANIZE YOUR IDEAS

Write.

EDIT TURN ON GRAMMAR AND SPELLING CHECKER. USE IT. ALWAYS.

REVISE It takes longer than you think it will.

GROUP WRITING ALWAYS unified Tone or Voice Verb Tense Terminology

Paragraphs Mini Essays Topic Sentences Top or Bottom Break When Ideas Change Never Repeat Ideas, Words, or Sentences 3+ Sentences

ELEVATE TO ACADEMIC TONE and LANGUAGE Final: Conclusive studies remain elusive. First Draft: We just don’t know much.

Upgrade. Based on the fact that -> because For the purpose of -> for As previously discussed -> OMIT (<3pgs) As stated … As stated -> OMIT REPEATED WORDS and Phrases

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is like the difference between light and the lightening bug. -Mark Twain Thesaurus.com

Be specific Manageable levels Adequate lighting Proper procedures Correct timing

Appearance Matters NEVER FORGET THE AESTHETICS OF THE PAGE

Good Design is as easy as … Contrast Difference can be good. Repetition Repetition unifies. Alignment Be clean and clear. Proximity Connect visually/logically.

KISS Precise Visual = Precise Text Describe Visuals in Nearby Text Need to Know Basis

Our system for developing launch the main rocket controls (shown in Figure 1) is based on four main parts that operate through a digital electromechanical interface at the site. Figure 1. Four part system for rocket launching controls ALWAYS TAG VISUALS

Acknowledge the Work of Others You must cite all information other than common knowledge which you discover in another source and must quote all language you use that derives in part or whole from another source. As Smith says, “It’s hopeless" (32). As some have said, “It’s hopeless" (Smith 32). I too wanted to say, “It’s hopeless" when I read this (Smith 32). This includes paraphrases and ALL quotes even if you have given the author's name in the sentence or paragraph above. KNOW AND USE THE CITATION GUIDE FOR YOUR FIELD.

Commas Quick and Dirty INTRODUCE QUOTES Smith says , CREATE CONTEXT After reading this, Last week,

Add Nonessential Details Subject + Predicate = Sentence Amy Wept. Present participle phrase, Subject, adjective clause, Predicate, adverbial phrase, prepositional phrase. Watching the news, Amy, who was known for her hair, wept, as if her heart were breaking, in the kitchen

Subject + Predicate = Sentence Always do a S+P check on complex sentences. Set off details with commas. Choose which details relate or are necessary. Cut details for clarity or … Start a new sentence!

Commas Detangle Complex Writing Wallace Smith Associates (WSA) is a major worldwide transportation planning and infrastructure design consultant that offers a wide array of planning engineering and construction phase services yet maintains a local presence that provides clients a quicker response time personal relationships and familiarity with project areas especially in the areas of intersection and reconstruction projects all while maintaining a world class reputation for skill and knowledge unmatched in the design construction and engineering industries.

Possible Rewrite Wallace Smith Associates (WSA) is a major worldwide transportation, planning, and infrastructure design consultant that offers a wide array of planning, engineering, and construction phase services, yet maintains a local presence that provides clients a quicker response time, personal relationships, and familiarity with project areas, especially in the areas of intersection and reconstruction projects, all while maintaining a world class reputation for skill, and knowledge unmatched in the design, construction, and engineering industries.

Advanced Punctuation Style Em dash- emphatic afterthoughts = ! This is long- and time consuming. Colon: Lists, but only after a complete sentence. My boss needs: Semicolon; connect two interconnected complete thoughts Call me tomorrow; I will have an answer then. Bullets and Lists Not Reader Friendly

The best editor asks, “so what?”.

TRANSITION BE STILL SPEAKING PLAN Presenting Visuals

Presenting Visuals

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