English for Technical Writers

1
English for Technical Writers

• Lynn Beechey-Volz
• Chris Keelan
• WS 07/08

2
Some common mistakes 1

• Hold the nut
• Put the cover
• Tight the screw
• For removing the cover, you have to tighten the
  screw with an Allen key
• Tighten the screw under the cover while holding
  the nut before replacing the cover
• Take the cover away
• Fasten the screw with a screwdriver
• You can fill a plane with fuel anytime

3
Solution 1

• Remove the cover
• Use a spanner to hold the nut and tighten the
  screw with an Allen key
• Refit the cover

4
Solution 2

• Use the same procedures all the time because
  water in the fuel system can freeze during summer
  or winter

5
Solution 3

• HOW TO OPERATE THE LIFT TRUCK
• WARNING
• Before the operate the lift truck, fasten your
  seat belt. If you are not careful, some
  operations can cause the lift truck to fall over.
  Read the warning page in the front of the manual
  now. While you read the procedures below,
  remember the warnings.
• Basic operating procedures
• Only approved personnel can operate a lift truck.
  You must get special training, also if you have a
  driving license. A lift truck and a car operate
  differently. The text below gives you basic
  procedures to operate a lift truck.

6
Qualities of a Technical Writer

• A large vocabulary
• Good planning skills
• Good communication skills
• Clarity of expression
• Ability to take criticism
• An attention to detail
• An interest in literature
• An interest in technology
• An ability to write concisely
• An ability to write accurately

7
Planning to write Seven steps

• Write down your aim
• Consider your audience
• Make a plan
• Write a synopsis
• Write a first draft
• Forget about it!
• Revise and edit
• Turk and Kirkman

8
Activity 1

• Write a plan only for a 200-word description of
  one of the following topics
• The advantages of Linux over Microsoft
• The advantages of diesel over petrol cars
• The advantages of alternative energy over fossil
  fuels

9
Activity 2

• Now write the 200-word description
• itself for homework!

10
Contact

• Lynn.Beechey-Volz_at_hs-karlsruhe.de
• Chris.Keelan_at_hs-karlsruhe.de
• Office hours Chris F304, Lynn LI-024
• Tuesday, Thursday 1300 - 1345,
• Wednesday 1130 1215