Some writing tips for you:
Technical writing is different because we aim for a high level of conciseness with details. Here are some editing tips to assist with producing a technical writing voice:
- In the interest of conciseness – be alert to the use of verbs and focus on editing out two and three verbs in a row
- Stay in present tense whenever possible
- Avoid the subjunctive: i.e.: would / should / could
- Do not use the word ‘very’ – if it is necessary to make this kind of emphasis: look for specific terms, i.e.: remarkably, surprisingly, unexpectedly ……
- Focus on avoiding “I” and “me” pronouns, when possible.
Example:
“I am in my final year of studies at the University of British Columbia. In April I will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy. Over the course of my degree I have had experience with several different forms of technical writing in class and through the UBC Co-op program. In class I have written up many lab reports using various degrees of formality. Through UBC’s Co-op program I have had experience creating informative posters that showcased products to prospective users, written standard operating procedures, created and updated user manuals and wrote technical reports summarizing four months of work for both academic and industry audiences (106 words).”
REWRITE: I am in my final year of a Bachelor of Science Astronomy degree at U.B.C. I have experience with different forms of technical writing. Participating in U.B.C.’s Co-op programs, I have created Lab reports, informative posters showcasing products, operating procedures, user manuals and technical reports (42 words).
Be careful of verbs: try to avoid two and three verbs in a row. Sometimes, the best way to achieve this is to use an ‘ing’ verb.
Example:
“I graduated from the University of British Columbia fives years ago with a combined major in Economics and Statistics. In addition, I completed a master’s degree in economics at UBC the following year. Throughout my studies, I have had plenty of opportunities to refine my communication skills. Specifically, I have trained myself to write in a concise and informative way as it is required to have an abstract or executive summary in all research papers. In addition, many of my course studies had helped me hone my collaboration skills as I was required to work in a team to provide a written analysis on business cases that were given to us”
REWRITE” As a graduate of U.B.C. with two degrees: Economics and Statistics and my master’s degree in Economics, I have refined communication skills in general, and am specifically trained to write concisely and informatively as required when composing abstracts and executive summaries. I have good collaboration skills and experience working in team environments requiring written case analysis’.
Here’s a GOOD TIP for technical and professional writing: always make your reader the focus. Change your ‘I’ pronouns into ‘YOU’ pronouns. Here’s an example”
“I am impressed by your past co-op experience and current involvement in organizations that coincide with technology”
REWRITE: Your past co-op experience and current involvement in organizations that coincide with technology are impressive.
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An example of an excellent opening paragraph for the Letter of Application:
Dear Classmates of English 301,
Please consider my application for a position on your writing team, as advertised on the English 301 blog. I am a fourth year Computer Science student pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science at U.B.C., your posts on our Facebook page have encouraged me to apply. I am committed and plan to contribute towards my writing team by offering my ideas and putting in the required work to accomplish our assignments throughout the term.
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