This document discusses technical communication and writing. It explains that technical communication involves transmitting technical information objectively through action-oriented texts for practical purposes. Technical writing must be technically accurate, concise, clear, consistent, and well-organized. It also discusses the language features of technical communication, including formal lexicon, jargon, conditionals, imperatives, passive voice, and gerunds. The document provides guidance on writing business letters and curriculum vitae for technical fields.
2. To understand Technical English issues and
increase management and adequacy in the
use of vocabulary and specific functions in
contexts related to the academic field of
study and future professional life.
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
3. The term Technical English does not really
exist as such. Technical Communication is
that lexical baggage (Jargon) and language
technicalities applied to specific professional
contexts.
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
4. It is the transmission of technical information in an objective manner.
The outputs are often action-oriented texts, that is, texts which have a
practical purpose.
Other technical communication types are the production of documents
to the professional field such as Letters, Curriculum Vitaes, Informative
texts for internal organizational
communication, newspapers, magazines, etc.
Technical writing (Blake & Bly 1993) is:
Technically
accurate, useful, concise, complete, clear, consistent, correct in
spelling, punctuation and grammar, targeted, and well organized.
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
5. Technical Communication demands the use of
special vocabulary (Jargon) and language
structure:
Formal language lexicon
Jargon
Conditionals
Command-Imperatives
Passive voice
Gerund (to/ing)
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
6. Jargon is terminology which is especially defined in relationship to a
specific activity, profession, or group. Philosopher Condillac observed in
1782 that "Every science requires a special language because every
science has its own ideas”.
In other words, the term covers the language used by people who work
in a particular area or who have a common interest. A standard term
may be given a more precise or unique usage among practitioners of a
field. In many cases this causes a barrier to communication with those
not familiar with the language of the field. As an example, the words
RAM, bit, byte, CPU, and hexadecimal are jargon terms related to
computing.
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
7. The basics elements of a good business letter writing are easy to learn.
The following phrases and sentences provide ideas on usual ways for
Technical Writing in any standard business letter.
These phrases or sentences are used as a type of structure and
introduction to the content of business letters.
At the end of this session, by using these standard phrases, you can give
a professional tone to your English business letters.
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
8. 1.The Start
•Dear Personnel Director,
•Dear Sir or Madam: (use if you don't know who you are writing to)
•Dear Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms Smith: (use if you know who you are writing
to, and have a formal relationship with - VERY IMPORTANT use Ms for women
unless asked to use Mrs or Miss)
•Dear Frank: (use if the person is a close business contact or friend)
2.The Reference
•With reference to your advertisement in the Times/your letter of 23 rd March/
your phone call today.
•Thank you for your letter of March 5 th .
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
9. 3.The Reason for Writing 6.Giving Bad News
I am writing to inquire about…/ Unfortunately…
apologize for… / I am afraid that…
confirm…
7.Enclosing Documents
4.Requesting I am enclosing…
Could you possibly…? Please find enclosed…
I would be grateful if you could… Enclosed you will find…
5.Agreeing to Requests
I would be delighted to…
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
10. 8.Closing Remarks 10.The Ending
Thank you for your help Please Yours faithfully, (If you don't know
contact us again if… the name of the person you're writing to)
/we can help
in any way/ Yours sincerely, (If you know the name of
there are any problems/ the person you're writing to)
you have any questions/ Best wishes,
9.Reference to Future Contact Best regards, (If the person is a close
I look forward to ... business contact or friend)
hearing from you soon/
meeting you next Tuesday/
seeing you next Thursday.
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
11. October 23, 2006.
Fred Flintstone
Sales Manager
Cheese Specialists Inc.
456 Rubble Road
Rockville, IL .
Dear Mr Flintstone:
With reference to our telephone conversation today, I am writing to confirm your order
for: 120 x Cheddar Deluxe Ref. No. 856 .
The order will be shipped within three days via UPS and should arrive at your store in
about 10 days.
Please contact us again if we can help in any way.
Yours sincerely,
Kenneth Beare.
Director of Ken's Cheese House.
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
13. A curriculum vitae is used primarily when applying for an
employment, academic, education, scientific or research positions.
A curriculum vitae should include your name, contact
information, education, skills and experience. In addition to the basics, a CV
includes research and teaching experience, publications, grants and
fellowships, professional associations and licenses, awards and other
information relevant to the position you are applying for.
Start by making a list of all your background information, then organize it
into categories. Make sure you include dates on all the publications you
include.
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
14. Keep your curriculum vitae simple, concise and easy to read. Your
curriculum vitae must sell you and must be tailored to what the reader is
looking for.
Having a good CV is essential for full-time jobs, part-
time, internal, external, promotions, new jobs, and career changes.
Successful candidates are invariably the people who provide employers
with the best CVs and best covering letters.
A CV does not have to be a text document. It can be a video. Create a
video CV, and to upload it onto a website. Only the people with the best
CVs and letters get to that stage.
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
15. CV writing is a
form of
marketing or
advertising, when
the product is
you!
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
16. Personal Information
Name
Date of Birth
Nationality
Address (home and term)
Telephone (home)
Telephone (mobile)
E-mail
Personal Profile
Summary about what you have done (degree, relevant
experience), the skills you have to offer (target towards the
advert/job description) and what you are looking to do. 3 lines
max.
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
17. Education and Qualifications
Date University, Course, Qualification (grade or
predicted grade)
Subject
Modules studied, dissertation
Date School / FE College
A Levels (grades if good) / Other qualifications
Date School
GCSE – number of subjects, including Maths
and English
Work Experience (most recent first)
Date Company Name, Job Title
Main responsibilities
Skills gained (communication, team work,
interpersonal, problem solving, etc)
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
18. Skills
Languages
IT skills
Other relevant skills
Interests and Activities
Not just a list – try to make them relevant to what the employer is looking
for – eg. Travelling around Europe helped develop my communication
skills through meeting a variety of people.
References
Available on request
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.
19. •Write a business letter about a topic or
situation of your interest.
•Write your own Curriculum Vitae
Lic. Juan Carlos Santamaría Fernández.