By Lynn H. DemingPresented By Kristin Cook

Introduction Focus of Article Oral to Written Tradition Writing today Types of Technical Writing Conclusions Questions

In the Past Conventional wisdom dictated these

facts: Narrative perspective

Writing Objectively Passive Voice

Professional Distance Maintain Credibility

No conversation or Dialogue

Scholars Today Recently rethought this idea. Now use active voice If appropriate for topic, use first person

Writers of Scientific and Technical Information Analyze the audience Scrutinize the subject Avoid interaction “Dilutes or contaminates the objectivity

and authenticity of the data”

Reexamine our writing and teaching styles in technical writing

“Humanistic endeavor” – Carolyn Miller

Will improve writing Narrative- gives the reader a mental

image of what is happening

Oral Tradition Direct communication of information Real, not imaginary interaction Direct response from the audience

Written Tradition No longer direct interaction with

audience Reach a larger audience

Some areas in the media where communication with the audience

Most technical writing lacks that interaction

Correspondence First person

Empirical research reports First person Readers will “see” the involvement

Proposals Memos and Letters

First person Multivolume Documents

Combination of first and third person

Manuals Different sections-Different narrative

perspectives Command Form Active imperative voice

Mechanism and Process Descriptions Third person

Remember that we are talking to someone

Add active voice whenever you can Incorporate the reader in the topic We are role players