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Who this leaflet is for
This leaflet is for anyone studying or working in the Science or
Engineering fields who needs to write papers, proposals, reports
etc.
The aim of this leaflet
The aim of this leaflet is to provide you with information on learning
materials and tips for improving your technical writing.
Useful materials in the SAC
Books
The books on Technical Writing are located in the Multimedia Area ('Science
and Technology' shelf) and ('Writing'
shelf). If you have time, flip through the books on the shelf that
you like and then decide which book(s) you find most useful. The
next step is to mark out the chapters in those books and plan realistically
how you are going to use the books.
Do not attempt to finish the whole book no matter how good it is
- only select the most useful chapters for yourself. Remember, you
are in charge of your learning so you decide what you want to learn,
and how to do it.
| Comprehensive and general |
Technical Writing & Professional Communication C
C
['Writing' shelf]
Very comprehensive and thorough ¡X probably one of the best in this
area. There are writing exercises at the end of each chapter. Answers
are provided at the back of the book. Highly recommended to anyone
who is serious about learning technical communication. Those who
want to have a review of grammar, style and vocabulary will find
Part Six of this book particularly useful.
| Specific and technical |
['Science and Technology' shelf,
Audio Area] |
- Computer Science
This course aims to introduce learners to the contents of Computer
Science and to help them practise the skills they need in order
to study the subject via English. There are sections to help you
increase your vocabulary and revise your grammar for writing.
- Computing C
The course aims to develop all four language skills with special
emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and grammatical accuracy. The
book also contains a special letter writing section and a comprehensive
glossary of computing terminology.
- English in Mechanical Engineering
There are eight units, each with a specially written reading passage
followed by exercises which focus on those features of English
which are often used in the written language of engineering.
- English for the Telecommunications Industry
C
This is an intermediate level course for people working or planning
to work as managers and engineers. There is a comprehensive self-study
guide with very useful learning tips. Answers are provided for
all writing exercises.
- English for Technical Communication
This is a course that develops communication skills, both written
and spoken, for people studying or working in technical and scientific
environments where English is used.
- Technical Writing & Professional Communication
['Writing' shelf]
Part Four of this book teaches different types of report: short
informal reports, progress reports, feasibility reports, proposals,
long reports. It contains explanations, writing exercises and
sample reports.
- Report Writing ['Business' shelf,
Multimedia Area]
This material consists of two coursebooks: First Training Report
Writing - Briefcase Booklet, and First Training Report Writing
- Discussion Guide, & one videotape.
Materials on the Web
| General technical writing |
- Wordiness: Danger Signals and Ways to React
http://www.library.utoronto.ca/writing/wordines.html
Visit this website to learn how to write concisely.
- Unbiased Language
http://www.library.utoronto.ca/writing/unbias.html
Recent changes in social awareness have made people think about
how some vocabulary and expressions may downgrade certain groups.
Common sense and some specific strategies can help you raise your
awareness and avoid using words and expressions that may offend
your readers.
- Correct Spelling
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/spelling.html
If spelling worries you, visit this website.
- Grammar C
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html
The Purdue University offers you this site for grammar - almost
all aspects of grammar are covered.
Learning tips
- Read the Writing Advice Sheet Developing
your own Writing Programme (W2) and get tips on how
to start to plan your learning.
- For an introduction to styles and basic structures of technical
writing, read Chapters 1 and 2 of Technical Writing
& Professional Communication.
- Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between Technical
Writing and Business Writing, especially when they involve work
and business. The advice that you're looking for in Technical
Writing might be covered in the Writing Advice Sheet on Business
Writing (W4). Read W4 and check if there is any information
useful for you.
- Want to improve your business English and your grammar but
feel that you don't have time to plan your learning? Try this
language magazine: The Language Key.
You will find it in the SAC Area A. This monthly published
language magazine offers explanations, examples and exercises
for you to improve your business writing skills and grammar. You
will also find writing and grammar tests in each of the issues.
- Want to have a better understand of your writing ability? Do
a Diagnostic Test with either AutoLANG or other
materials (please read W2
and G3 for information
on writing diagnostic tests), find out your weaknesses in writing
and then decide what practice you need in your self-learning.
- You can also make an appointment with the English Writing Centre
(EWC) and ask an EWC Consultant to comment on your writing skills.
You can ask in the General Office of the Language Center (Room
3396, near lifts 17 & 18) for information about the EWC, or
check this website: http//lc.ust.hk/~ewc for information about
making an appointment with the EWC.
- When you write in English, do you often feel that you lack
the vocabulary you need? If this is the case, read the Vocabulary
Advice Sheet Learning Vocabulary
for Speaking and Writing (V8).
- Do you have problems with grammar and sentence structures?
If so, read the Grammar Advice Sheets Grammar
For Writing (G4) and Improving
Sentence Structure & Style (W5).
- Remember that the essence of good writing is not so much format
but style and content. Always write in your own language and construct
the appropriate message in such a way that you will achieve the
goal of the communication. Read about the 'style' and 'tone' of
technical writing from different materials and make sure that
you have got the style and tone right.
- Last but not least, remember, read more! If
you want to improve the skills of technical writing, not only
do you need to learn the writing skills, you also need to read
a large amount of technical writing. The more input you get, the
more confident you will be about writing.
And Now...
If you would like any help or advice, or just a chat about your
progress, please get in touch ¡X we are here to support your independent
learning! This is how you can contact us:
- see an Adviser,
on duty at the SAC Advice Desk (for details of advisers and their availability, please go to http://lc.ust.hk/~sac/sacadviser.html)
- e-mail lcsac (lccommons@ust.hk) with your query;
- ask at the reception counter of the SAC — if the receptionist cannot help you directly, s/he will pass your query on to one of the SAC advisers
Note
The introductory leaflet in this series is Improving
your writing (W1).
This advice sheet is part of the Writing series of leaflets supporting
independent language learning, produced by the HKUST Language Center
SAC team. This advice sheet was written by Elza Tsang, Oct 2001.
Version 3. If you copy from this advice sheet, please acknowledge
the source. Thanks.
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