Technical Writing

Technical Writing

Writers use different words, depending upon their purpose. They may use words with a technical meaning when describing something such as science, math, music and on and on.

Technical Writing

Technical writing is the practice of documenting processes, such as software manuals or instructional materials. Traditionally, it was limited to user manuals of some sort. 

Technical Writing Examples

• Instruction Manuals

• Brochures

• Recipes

• Student Handbook

• Textbook

Multiple Select

Which two types of writing are examples of technical writing?

• personal essay

• news article

• how-to guide

• instructions

Multiple Choice

What is the next step in brushing your teeth?

(1) Unscrew the cap on the toothpaste.

(2) Squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube onto the toothbrush bristles.

(3) Wet the toothbrush.

(4) _______________

• Spit the toothpaste out into the sink.

• Put toothbrush in mouth and begin brushing teeth.

• Place toothbrush back in toothbrush holder.

• Rinse leftover toothpaste off of toothbrush.

Multiple Choice

This diagram is an example of a technical text. What does the diagram show you HOW TO do?

• How to hold hands with someone

• How to make a new handshake

• How to wash your hands

• How to make shapes with your hands

Technical Words

What Is a Technical Word? Have you ever noticed that reading a story can be a lot different than reading a science or a math textbook? Most of the time, informational texts are difficult to read because they use a lot of technical words. These words have specific meanings in each area of study. For example, think about what the word 'area' means each of these sentences:

There were no wild horses in the area.

The area of the square was 9 cm.

In the first sentence, 'area' just means the location you are in - there are wild horses near where you are. In the second sentence, 'area' is a technical word: it has a specific meaning when it's used in mathematics. In mathematics, 'area' means 'the size of a surface.'

Word Meanings

• Writers use words in various ways depending on their purpose

• Technical words are words that have specific meanings in informational text, such as science, mathematics or social studies books.

• Writers may use words with a figurative meaning or words with a connotative meaning.

Multiple Choice

Choose the technical word in the sentence:

Scientists use the word matter to describe the substances of which objects are made.

• objects

• describe

• matter

Multiple Choice

Choose the example for technical meaning.

• Sunshine colored daisies filled the grassy fields.

• Flowers as fresh as a load of laundry.

• The seed begins the life cycle of a plant.

Multiple Choice

Words used in specific areas of different fields. These words are used to describe the meanings of specific things.

• Figurative

• Connotative

• Technical