C h a p t e r 4 0
Technical Report
T
echnical reports present facts, clearly and objectively. Their purpose may be to
inform or to persuade. In either case, they can help the reader solve a problem,
make a decision, or analyze findings. The audience is usually specified.
A technical report differs from non-technical writing in two respects: First, its writ-
ing is objective and factual, reporting information without reflecting personal opin-
ion. (Non-technical writing, on the other hand, may be subjective, reflective, or
emotional.) Second, it uses headings and visual aids as a matter of course, which
non-technical writing generally omits.
Virtually all professionals write technical reports. A foreman explains a new proce-
dure to his workers. A scientist shows the results of a recent study. A computer pro-
grammer explains the operation of a new piece of software. A sales manager reports
progress and problems in the marketplace. A chief executive officer convinces the
board of directors of the importance of company expansion. All rely on technical
writing to achieve their goals.
Many of the sections in Part II (Methods of Development) and Part III (Types of Writ-
ing) include technical writing samples. Most samples for mathematics also model
technical writing. Note that additional models are also found online at http://www.wiley.
com/go/wnwstudentwritinghandbook.
cHaracteristics
In general, a technical report
-^ uses comparison, contrast, description, cause, effect, classification, definition,
and other methods of development [see entries for each in Part II],
-^ follows a chronological order, spatial order, or order of importance [see entries
for each in the Glossary],
-^ uses clear, concise language,
-^ uses clear sentence structure,
-^ takes an objective, impersonal tone,
-^ uses a third-person point of view,
-^ uses denotative rather than connotative language [see denotation and
connotation in the Glossary],