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Checklist for Good English in Effective Technical Writing

Author by : Dr.Damodar Rai

Checklist for Good English in Effective Technical Writing

Ensuring good English in effective technical writing is an issue of critical significance, to bring clarity, so that it serves its purpose.

For better understanding of this checklist, the readers should read the following blogs, published earlier by us, and as given below

1. What are the Characteristics of Effective Technical Writing

2. How to Prepare a Good Technical Report

3. Correct English Usage for Effective Technical Writing

We must note here that in technical writing, the use of functional English should always be preferred. This helps to bring clarity and brevity and make the reports readable.

Technical report writers should always observe the following rules:

technical writing - checklist

Photographer: Glenn Carstens-Peters | Source: Unsplash

  • Do not make sentences too long
  • Do not show wordiness or verbosity
  • Use active verbs in technical writing
  • Do not use a noun, where a verb can be used
  • Punctuate properly
  • Do not underplay key ideas
  • Avoid multiple adjectives,verbiage and abbreviations as far as possible
  • Try to use the same tense all through
  • Make efforts to follow conventions on presentation of numbers
  • Do not dodge
  • Prefer the concrete word to the abstract word and short word to long word
  • Avoid jargons and clichés

Technical writing examples  can include :

  1. Thesis: The thesis is the main idea of a paper, and it should be presented as clearly as possible. It should contain all the essential information that readers need to understand your work. A good thesis statement will make your research clear and concise.
  2. Introduction: Your introduction should state what you are going to do in this paper and why you are doing it. You may also introduce some background material or literature review.
  3. Body: This section contains the actual results of your study. Here you present your findings and conclusions. If necessary, you may discuss limitations of your study.
  4. Conclusion: This is where you summarize your work. You may conclude by summarizing the key points of your argument.
  5. References: Include all sources used in your research. Make sure they have been cited correctly.

online documentation can help you get more details about these topics.

Active voice:

  • Write sentences with active verbs .
  • Avoid passive voice .
  • Use pronouns instead of nouns

Passive voice:

  • Do not use passive voice when you mean to express an action.
  • When you want to express an opinion, use ‘I think’ rather than ‘it seems’.

For example:

Grammar Checklist for Good English in Academic Writing

Grammar: Correct grammar helps readers understand your message accurately.

HR Operations is the process of managing human resources for an organization. This includes hiring, firing, training, compensation, benefits, performance management, and employee development. The key concept behind HR Operations is ensuring that all employees are treated fairly and equally.

Training design and development can be useful in :

  • Improving communication skills
  • Developing critical thinking skills
  • Preparing students for future careers
  • Helping students develop self-confidence
  • Increasing motivation levels
  • Promoting teamwork
  • Encouraging creativity
  • Motivating learners
  • Enabling learners to make decisions
  • Teaching people different ways of solving problems
  • Showing learners how to work as a team
  • Teaching learners to communicate effectively
  • Understanding learners’ needs
  • Creating learners who have confidence in themselves

Training and development in HRM is a vital part of any business. Training programs help increase productivity and improve customer service. They also provide opportunities for employees to advance their skills and knowledge. In addition, they ensure that employees feel valued and appreciated.

In order to keep up with changing technology, businesses must constantly update their IT systems. One way to accomplish this is through regular training sessions. These sessions teach new computer applications and software. They also train employees on how to use existing software.

 Staff development is another important aspect of HRM. This involves providing training and education to employees so they can grow personally and professionally. Staff development also ensures that employees receive feedback from managers and peers. This allows them to identify areas of improvement and learn more about their strengths and weaknesses.

Employee relations is yet another important area of HRM. This includes everything related to working relationships between employees and supervisors.

Technical Writing:

  • Understand the purpose of technical writing.
  • Identify the audience for which you are writing.
  • Determine the level of detail required.
  • Decide whether you will write the document yourself or hire someone else to do it.
  • Discuss the format of the document .
  • Choose appropriate vocabulary and avoid jargon.
  • Be aware of copyright laws.
  • Ensure that the document meets your company’s standards.

Blog posts can help  in creating a good technical writing style. 

Yes, they can! A great way to learn how to write well is to read other people’s work. If you find someone who has written a book, then you can check out their website for some examples. Another option is to look at the job postings from tech companies. They often require applicants to submit samples of their writing, which gives them a chance to evaluate your skills.

Possible user manual is given below.

  1. Introduction
  2. General Information
  3. How to Use the Application
  4. System Requirements
  5. Installation Instructions
  6. Interface Design
  7. User Guide
  8. Troubleshooting Guide
  9. FAQs
  10. Support Information
  11. About Us
  12. Contact Us
  13. Copyright Notice
  14. Trademarks
  15. Disclaimer
  16. Additional Notes
  17. Index

The writing process begins by defining the problem being solved and the solution. Then comes the analysis phase where the writer identifies the most likely problems and solutions. Next comes the creation phase, where the writer creates the documentation. Finally, there is the review and editing stage where the writer checks and corrects the document.

Writing skills can be learned through practice, but many writers prefer to take classes. There are several online courses available, such as those offered by The Writers Guild of America East . Classes usually focus on grammar, punctuation, spelling, and organization. Some schools offer workshops geared toward specific types of documents, including manuals and instructional guides.

To develop technical writing skills, you need to understand the purpose of technical writing and its audience.

operational functions of HRM

Formatting/Style: Format your documents according to the style guide chosen by your employer.

  • Follow the guidelines provided in the style manual.
  • Limit the number of fonts used in a document.

Use only one font throughout the entire document.

Avoid using italics unless it is absolutely necessary.

  • Keep paragraphs short and concise.
  • Indent lines at the beginning of each paragraph.

Do not indent within a line.

Documentation writer :

  • Write clearly and concisely. Use active voice whenever possible.
  • Avoid passive voice whenever possible.

Grammar Checklists for Good English in Academic and Business Writing

  • Use simple language.
  • Spell check carefully.
  • Proofread carefully before submitting.
  • Include enough information that others can easily follow along.
  • Provide adequate space.
  • Make sure your margins are set properly.
  • Keep tables and figures aligned correctly.

 Frequently Asked Questions: 

How to plan, write, and deliver technical documentation that works?

  • Documenting code is different than documenting other types of software.
  • The audience should be able to understand the information without having to read it.
  • You can use screenshots and diagrams to show how things work.
  • Make sure you have enough time to complete the project.

What is Checklist in technical writing?

  • A list of things you need to do before starting work on a project.
  • A list of items that should be completed before beginning a task.
  • A checklist used by people who perform maintenance tasks.

How can I improve my English technical writing skills ?

  • Read books on technical writing.
  • Write lots of practice essays.
  • Practice writing in different genres.
  • Do some research on the Internet.

Ripples Learning is continuously striving to add value to knowledge pertaining to human resource field, through its blogs and different state of the art programs.

For knowing more about us, please go through the following websites:

www.chrmp.com | www.resultslab.in | www.rippleslearning.com

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Dr. Damodar-Rai

Dr.Damodar Rai

Graduate, Post Graduate and Doctorate from IIT, BHU Dr. D. Rai has more than 46 years of research & academic experience. His career spans across the industry and academia from playing the role of Head of Department at Research & Development Center for Iron and Steel to being the Director for reputed management colleges. He has published 65 research papers and filed 5 patents and 7 copyrights. He plays the role of an Advisor and Chief Mentor at Ripples Learning.

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