STYLES IN TECHNICAL WRITING

What is style in technical writing?
Styles: the feature of one’s writing that show its individuality, separating it from the writing of another. Style result from the conscious and subconscious decisions each writer makes in matters like word choice, word order, sentence length, and active and passive voice. These decisions are different from the “right and wrong” matters of wrong grammar and mechanics. Instead, they comprise writers make in deciding how to transmit ideas to others.
Different styles in technical writing:
a.a. Writing in clear sentences:
Guideline 1: Place the Main Point near the Beginning
One way to satisfy this criterion for good style is to avoid excessive use of the passive voice. Another way is to avoid lengthy introduction phrases or clauses at the beginning of sentences.
Guideline 2: Focus on One Main Clause in Each Sentences
When you sting together too many clauses with “and” or “but,” you dilute the meaning of your text. However, an occasional compound or compound-complex sentences is acceptable, just for variety.
Guideline 3: Vary Sentences Length but Seek an Average Length of 15-20 Words
Of course, do not think your writing process by counting words while you write. Instead, analyze one of your previous reports to see how you fare. If your sentences are too long, make an effort to shorten them, such as by making two sentences out of one compound sentences connected by “and” or a “but.”
a.b. Being Concise:
Guideline 1: Replace Abstract Nouns with Verbs Concise writing depends more on verbs that it does on nouns. Sentences that contain abstract nouns, specially ones with more than two syllables, can be shortened by focusing on strong verbs instead. By converting abstract nouns to action verbs, you can eliminate wordiness, as the following sentences illustrate
:
Wordy:” The acquisition of the property was accomplished trough long and hard negotiations.”

Concise:”The property was acquired through long and hard negotiations.”
As the examples show, abstract nouns often end with ”-tion” or “-ment” and are often followed by the preposition “of.” These words are not always “bad” words; they cause problems only then cause problems on when they replace action verbs from which they are derived. The following examples show some noun phrases along with the preferred verb substitutes: assessment of asses classification of classify computation of compute delegation of delegate development of develop disbursement of disburse documentation of document elimination of eliminate

Guideline 2: Shorten Wordy Phrases
Many wordy phrases have become common in business and technical writing. Weighty expression add unnecessary words and rob prose of clarity. Here are some of the culprits, along with their concise substitutes: afford an opportunity to permit along the lines of like an additional another at later date later at this point in time now by means of by come to end end due to the fact that because during the course of during for the purpose of for

Guideline 3: Replace Long Words with Short Ones In grade school, most students are taught to experiment with long words. Although this effort build vocabularies, it also can lead to a lifelong tendency to use long words when short ones will do. Of course, sometimes you want to use to longer words just for variety--- for example, using an occasional “approximately” for the preferred “about.” As a rule, however, the following long words in the left column routinely should be replaced by the short in the right column:

advantageous helpful alleviate lessen, lighten approximately about cognizant aware commence start, begin demonstrate show discontinue end, stop endeavor carry out finalize end, complete implement carry out

Guideline 4: Leave out Clichés
Clichés are worn-out expressions that add words to your writing. Through they once were refresh phrases, they became clichés when they no longer conveyed their original meaning. You can make writing more concise by replacing clichés with a good adjective. Here are some clichés to avoid: as plain as day ballpark figure efficient and effective few and far between last but not least leaps and bounds
Guideline 5: Make Writing More Direct by Reading It Aloud Much wordiness results from talking around a topic. Sometimes called “circumlocution,” this stylistic flaw arises from a tendency to write indirectly. It can be avoided by reading passages aloud. Hearing the sound of the words makes wordiness quite apparent. It helps condense all kinds of inflated language, including the wordy expressions mentioned earlier. Remember, however, that direct writing must also retain a tactful, diplomatic tone when it conveys negative or sensitive information.

Guideline 6: Avoid “There Are,” “It Is,” and Similar Constructions There Are,” and “It Is,” should not be substituted for concrete subjects and action verbs, which are preferable in good writing. Such constructions delays the delivery of information about who or what s doing something. They tend to make your writing lifeless and abstract. Avoid them by creating (1) main subject that are concrete nouns and (2) main verbs that are action words. Note that the following revised passages give readers a clear idea of who is doinmg what in the subjects and verb positions.

Guideline 7: Cut Out Extra Words This guideline covers all wordiness errors not mentioned earlier. You need to keep a vigilant eye for any extra words or redundant phrasing. Sometimes the problem comes in them form of needless connecting words. Like to be or that. Other times it appears as redundant points --- that is, those that have been made earlier in a sentence, paragraph, or section and do not need repeating.

a.c. Being Accurate in Wording

Guideline 1: Distinguish Facts from Opinion In practice, this guideline means you must identify opinions and judgments as such by using phrases like “we recommend,” “we suggest,” or “in our opinion.”

Guideline 2: Include Obvious Qualifying Statements When Needed This guideline not mean you have to be overly defensive in every part of the report. It does mean that you must be wary possible misinterpretations.

Guideline 3: Use Absolute Words Carefully Avoid words that convey an absolute meaning or a stronger meaning than you intend. One notable example is “minimize,” which means to reduce to the lowest possible level or amount. If a report claims that a piece of equipment will “minimize” breakdown on life. The reader could consider any breakdown at all to be violation of the report’s implications. If the writer had used the verb “limit” or “reduce,” the wording would have been accurate and less open to misunderstanding.

a.d. Using The Active Voice The active voice is the most commonly used in many languages and represents the "normal" case, in which the subject of the verb is the agent.The passive voice is employed in a clause whose subject expresses the theme or patient of the verb. That is, it undergoes an action or has its state changed.

a.e. Using NONSEXIST Language
Technique 1: Avoid Personal Pronouns Altogether One easy way to avoid sexist language is to delete or replace unnecessary pronouns.

Technique 2: Use Plural Pronouns Instead of Singular In most contexts you can from singular to plural pronouns without altering meaning. The plural usage avoids the problems of using masculine pronouns.

Technique 3: Alternate Masculine and Feminine Pronouns Writers who prefer singular pronoun can avoid sexiest use by altering “he and “him” with “she” and “her.” Using this technique usually avoids the unsettling practice of switching pronouns use within too brief a passage, such as a paragraph or page. Instead, writers may switch every few pages, or every section or chapter.

Technique 4: Use Forms Like “He or She,” “Hers or His,” and “Him or Her” This solution requires the writer to include pronouns for both genders.

Technique 5: Shift to Second-Person Pronouns Consider shifting to the use of “you” and “your,” words without any sexual bais. This technique is effective only with documents in which it is appropriate to use an instruction-related “command” tone associated with the use “you.”

Technique 6: Be Especially Careful of Titles and Letter Salutations When you do not know how a woman you are writing prefers to be addressed, use “ms.” Even better, call the person’s employer and ask of the recipient goes by “Miss’” or some other title.