Writing: A Technical Approach

Posted on August 20, 2008

People in the business world search for another important attribute from engineers… being good (or even the best) technical writers.

On the beginning phase of engineering students, they might have a notion that their chosen field only requires an excellence in mathematics, an intensive practice in problem analysis, and a great performance in technical work. However, people in the business world search for another important attribute from their future employees? a good technical writer.

Writing is a basic human activity. Whether you are making an excuse letter for your instructor due to your absence in class or sending a note to your loved one, these are all done through writing. So how is writing as technical persons differ from other types of writing?

Imagine yourself working in a company where the technical department manager asked you to make an instruction manual for a new machine that the company is about to introduce in the market. With the knowledge and skills in technical writing, you can submit it on time and even impress your employer.

As engineers, we are encouraged to gain the expertise in communication through writing. One must possess a scientific attitude, meaning, he must provide extreme care in getting facts and be honest about them. A product of technical writing focuses mainly on scientific subjects and uses technical vocabulary, with characteristics of objectivity, impartiality, and exclusion of emotions.

Just as a student can choose the course he wants to take up for college, a technical writer can do the same manner on his style of writing. Basics on grammar, vocabulary, and paragraph writing should first be familiarized. Certain rules regarding words, phrases, and sentences should also be noted and be thought of in a critical sense for precision of ideas. A technical writer must identify what type of readers he has and the purpose of his writing. Moreover, his composition requires a simple, familiar, and concrete language; and is presentable to the readers.

Special techniques are employed on this type of writing. One can give a definition, describe a mechanism or process, classify a general concept or mechanism, or interpret a relationship or group of things. Each has its own format, guidelines, and organization. These techniques can help and guide an engineer in his composition. Knowing the proper way of writing outlines, abstracts, introductions, transitions, conclusions, and layouts of reports will prove to be very beneficial.

The end-products are numerous. You can involve on various reports, proposals, brochures, specifications, handbooks, instruction manuals, technical journal articles, graphic aids, memoranda, and even books. Each end-product presents its own features and characteristics according to purpose, which students must be exposed with so that they will not be embarrassed and could satisfy the needs of the organization in the workforce. A proposal, for example, is ” a written offer to solve a technical problem in a particular way, under a specified plan of management, for a specified sum of money.?

The essence of technical writing can be clearly seen for it is inclusive in the curriculum of engineering colleges and universities. Even though it is considered as a minor subject, the experiences that future engineers would encounter while taking the course will surely be a firm foundation. In this subject, students are being equipped with the necessary theories, and is given ample time for its application. Students are required to submit written reports or perform oral examinations for evaluation.

In addition, the significance of technical writing on project feasibility studies, design projects, and in accomplishing written requirements before graduation cannot be denied. As on-the-job trainees, you might sometimes be asked to do a technical report, too. Your stored knowledge as a technical writer is a plus for your performance.

Therefore, students as future engineers need not neglect the importance of being technical not only in figures but also in communication through writing. Bear in mind that in any engineering field, efficient communication among professionals is a valuable tool for success. Furthermore, as economic challenges of the 21st century arose with technological advances and innovations , engineers can depend on written communication to remedy conflicting interests and to provide control measures.

About the author

PAUL NEIRHART LEGION is a registered mechanical engineer and has recently finished his post-graduate studies in management from De La Salle University - Manila. His career expertise is in the areas of consultancy, product management, technical training / support, marketing, and education. He became a finalist to the search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) 2004. Being an academic achiever and a consistent scholar, he was also a leadership awardee and a champion of student and professional competitions. He became a delegate to national conventions/conferences. His passion for writing emanates from being the former editor in chief of four student publications and speaker on journalism / writing seminars and workshops. He is also a freelance writer and host.

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