2. PROFESSIONAL STYLE
In the previous chapter, we defined technical writing as a “transactional” and primarily “problem-solving” genre and described some of the key conventions and considerations technical writers must keep in mind. In this chapter, we will look more deeply into the style of writing expected in professional contexts.
Chapter 2 Learning Objectives
2.1 Reader-Centered Writing: Understand how to take a reader-centred approach (rather than a writer-centred one) that focuses on knowing your audience and writing specifically to meet their needs and expectations.
2.2 Writing to Persuade: Understand and apply rhetoric in a professional context to win the hearts, minds and trust of your reader, while avoiding logical fallacies and inappropriate marketing language.
2.3 Communicating with Precision: Review and practice techniques to make your writing more precise and concise, and avoid wordiness, vagueness or ambiguity.
2.4 The Importance of Verbs: Understand how to choose strong verbs as the “engines” that drive efficient and effective sentences; revise passages to improve clarity, concision, and coherence.
For review of grammar basics, see Appendix E: Sentence Structure and Appendix F: Punctuation Rules.
When engaging in technical writing, your style might change significantly from how you write in an academic context. To start thinking about how different rhetorical situations might require you to shift or adapt your style, complete the exercise below.
EXERCISE 2.1 Describe some differences between writing for school vs. writing for work
| Writing for School | Writing for Work | |
| Purpose | ||
| Audience | ||
| Content | ||
| Document Life Span | ||
| Liability | ||
| Format & Design Elements | ||
| Writing Style |
What key differences do you note between the two writing contexts? What do you think accounts for those differences?
