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SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL WRITING: A PRACTICAL

APPROACH

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Definition and Features

Scientific and technical writing is the art of recording information on specialized fields accurately and effectively and passing it on to those who have to use and process it

The presentation of such information should be supported with tables, charts and figures

Deals with specific areas of science and technology and requires a format involving several divisions and sub-divisions of the subject matter

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Cont.

Scientific and technical writing is objective in content and systematic in form

It is always precise, exact and to the point so that it may have the desired effect on reader and lead to the required action

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Functions

Education Industry Service Reporting

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Education

The following writings must conform to the rules of scientific and technical writing if they are to be properly understood and appreciated : A large number of books on Science and

technology are published every year Many journals and magazines which publish

technical material on specialized fields Paper and articles written by scientists and

research scholars

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Industry

Industry requires technical information in precise and practical form, as slight mistake may lead to a great loss

Information about the products coming out of an industrial unit, requires skill in technical writing

Communication within the industry has to be free from error for good results and better production

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Service

The machine manufactured in a factory have a better chance of becoming successful and popular if their service manual and guidance manuals are made available to the users, which can be fulfilled by scientific and technical writing

Specifications in any case are to be communicated to the users in a simple but systematic manner to achieve the desired results

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Reporting

Scientific and technical writing enables us to report the results of industrial development effectively and to evaluate the gains and losses incurred by the users of different machines and various products procured by them

Helps in collecting scientific data and effecting necessary changes in these machines and materials

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Forms of Scientific and Technical Writing

Reports Form Reports Article Reports Formal Reports

Articles Technical Articles Semi-technical articles Popular articles

Papers Dissertations and Thesis Manuals Correspondence

Letters Memoranda

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Reports

A technical report is an objective presentation of information on an assigned subject, problem or project along with necessary tabular support and illustrative material

May contain certain recommendations if the terms of reference so require

A technical report may follow a pattern according to its purpose and scope

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Cont.

Form Reports: These reports are made of given proformas designed especially by an organization or an industrial concern according to its specific requirement

Article Reports: These reports take the shape of technical articles. Information is provided under various divisions and sub-divisions so that the readers can grasp it quickly

Formal Reports: These reports cover longer periods of work and involve big institutions, technical organizations and industrial establishments

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Articles

Scientific and technical writing often takes the shape of articles of varying length and specific format

Such an article may not aim at reporting information to initiate action but may communicate information and knowledge on a particular subject for preservation and dissemination of ideas

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Cont.

Technical Articles: These articles contain highly specialized information and involve the use of technical vocabulary and scientific abbreviations which are understood by experts belonging to a particular discipline

Semi-technical Articles: The scope of these articles is comparatively wider as they can also be understood and used by people working in similar disciplines and use of technical vocabulary and abbreviation is reduced to minimum

Popular Articles: These articles on Scientific and technological subjects are meant for the educated people who are not specialists

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Papers

Technical papers are like technical articles, but they are generally based on original research

These papers are published separately or included in journals of research brought out by universities and other educational institutions

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Dissertations and Thesis

Dissertations are like research papers, but they are wider in scope and longer in size

A dissertation is based on a student’s research on a particular subject

A thesis is also based on the research work of a student or a scholar

Thesis is often refers to the outstanding work done by a scientists in various disciplines

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Manuals

Information brochure, instruction books, guidance manuals and advertisement leaflets about the products of industry contain useful information for the users

The success of these products depends, to a great extent, on the effectiveness of the information provided in these booklets

It is a functional form of scientific and technical writing which aims at attracting the user’s attention and providing him with easy and accurate information and guidance about a machine or a product

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Correspondence

Technical communication may be in the form of correspondence between different organizations or within the same organizations for vertical and horizontal flow of technical information

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Cont.

Letters: Letters are exchanged between two organizations under different managements

Memoranda: Memoranda are exchanged by various departments of the same organization or institution

Both letters and memoranda are useful tools for technical communication as it helps in recording technical information, making and seeking recommendations on technical matters, providing clarifications, coordinating projects , initiating action and meeting many other requirements of different institutions