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How Do People Evaluate
Technical Writing? |
Instructions:
- Read the material below.
Whenever you read, you are continually evaluating the document. I do this. You do this. We all evaluate the material we are reading.
What are the criteria you use to evaluate a technical document? What do you look for in a technical document?
Let’s compare your criteria with mine. I’m guessing they are pretty similar. |
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Criteria for Technical Writing |
I. CONTENT
- USEFUL:
 | serves the intended purpose for the reader
for the writer |
| directed towards a problem |
| meets the reader's needs at the right level of technicality (considers the reader's level of expertise) |
CLEAR
| one meaning (not ambiguous) |
| easily understood |
| facts explained and analyzed |
| terms defined |
ACCURATE
| truthful |
| valid, reliable |
| consistent |
| objective and unbiased |
| sources acknowledged |
COMPLETE
| provides all pertinent information |
II. ORGANIZATION
- ORDERLY
| logical order of ideas |
| paragraphs work (topic sentences) |
ACCESSIBLE
| useful sections with headings |
III. SENTENCE STYLE
- CONCISE
- CLEAR
- CORRECT
IV. FORMAT
- Appropriate for the situation
- Helps the readers find what they need (not distracting)
In general, we might evaluate writing using scales like these:
| inadequate |
adequate |
excellent |
| not acceptable |
minimally
acceptable |
acceptable
OK
average |
above average
very good |
outstanding |
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In college, and for this course, I will apply these grades. |
| F |
D |
C |
B |
A |
In the work place, you want to make sure your writing is always at least acceptable (otherwise your boss will probably make you do it over).
Note:
A = outstanding, exceptional, excellent work
***Students in Advanced Technical Writing: A
= similar to professional work
B = above average, very good work
C = OK
D = minimally acceptable
So, to get a B in this class, you need to complete and turn in work that is better than ok.
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| QUIZ |
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After reviewing all the material in this section please
proceed to the QUIZ.
NOTE: please answer the quiz questions
carefully and if you're not sure of the answer, check the introductory
material. If you don't do well on this simple quiz, I will ask you to
do it again. |
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