Technical Writing

GENERAL NOTES AFTER THE 1st CLASS DISCUSSION

© TITLE

© Introduces the topic of discussion to the audience

© Generates reader interest in the argument

© Try to grab attention by

° offering a provocative image

° picking up on words or examples offered in the body or conclusion of the paper

° asking a question

© Avoid titles that are too general or lack character

EXPLORE the problem -- not the topic

1. Who is your reader?

2. What is your purpose?

Reader

• Does the author provide necessary background knowledge as a basis for the article?

• Is the problem/ topic clearly defined?

• Did the writer bring a new perspective to the topic?

• Did the article sustain the reader’s interest?

• What additional suggestions would you purpose?

Defining the audience

• Who are my readers?

• What do they already know and what do I need to tell them about the topic?

• Why would the reader want to read this article?

• How would the reader be able to use the article?

• What possible objections might cause the reader to dismiss my ideas?

Defining the author

• Why do I want to write this article?

• What special knowledge, experience, and perspectives do I bring to the topic?

• How does my article relate to other publications on the topic?

After you wrote your first draft

Evaluating the structure

• Does overall organization of the article reflect my goals?

• Have I stated the purpose clearly in the introduction?

• Does the body of the article fulfill the promises made in the introduction?

• Do important ideas receive more support than unimportant ones?

• How is the relationship between ideas signaled within paragraphs?

posted by Jati @ 1:15 PM