the writing process.ppt

8/11/2019 The Writing Process.ppt

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Achieving Speed and Quality


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Short reports form the bulk of the writing

done by technologists, technicians, researchscientists, engineers [They] provide

information and analysis that readers use to

stay informed and to make practicaldecisions. Lannon & Klepp, 2009.


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Progress/periodic activity

Project completion

Incident/accident

Inspection Compliance

Field/Laboratory trip

Feasibility

Causal analysis

Assessment

Problem Analysis + Recommendation


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Topic/Audience/Purpose/ Structure & Style:

Whatare you writing about?

Whoare you writing to?

Why are you writing?

How/how should you writeFormat &

Formality


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Your Subject Line, and opening sentence

should clearly state your topic

Your e-mail might be 1 among

dozens/hundreds


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Why are you sending your report to this

person?

Why is their position/expertise relevant?

Why should they give a crap about your

report? Does your report need to be CC-ed to

others?


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Proximate Cause: Why are you writing to

this person now? - Scheduled or

spontaneous event?

What do you want to achieve?What

effect do you want to have on your reader?

Inform/request/persuade/congratulate/warn

/reassure/accuse

What do you expect them to do? File,

forward, forget, respond, act, make others

act


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Memorandum or letter?

- E-mail!

Structure depends on type of report butoften:

Action Opening engage readers

attention Background or Context

Relevant Details

Action Closing engage readers


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Level of formality depends on

relationship with reader

First-time or old-time correspondent? Internal or external e-mail?

Boss or subordinate?

Enemy or friend?

If in doubt?


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Step 1: State the purpose of the document.

Step 2: Consider the obstacles your readers face.

Step 3: Determine technical levels of readers.

Step 4: Determine decision-making levels of readers. Step 5: Find out what decision makers want.

Step 6: Collect and document information carefully.

Step 7: Write an outline.

Step 8: Write your first draft quickly.

Step 9: Revise in stages.


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In this assignment you will write a feasibility report on a

topic of your choosing. You will identify a real-world

problem, identify an optimal solution, and frame your

findings to suit your audience. [see assigned reading &

presentation from Sept. 24thfor details on feasibilityreports]

The main body or your Report should be formatted as a

memorandum (either internal to your company or for anexternal target audience). [see assigned reading &

presentation from Oct. 1stfor details on memos]


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Specific Rules for Writing the Paper:

1. Your paper should be at least two pages long and at

most four pages long.

2. The paper should by typed, double-spaced, use 12point, Times New Roman font with one inch margins, and

it should include a title page with the title of the paper,

your name, student ID#, date, and the name of your TA.

3. Papers will be worth a total of 5% of your final grade.

4. Papers should be handed in at the beginning of lecture

on Wednesday, October 8.


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the writing process.ppt

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