Office of Academic Affairs
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Berhampur

HSS 209 : Technical Writing (2)

Learning Objectives:

The main objective of this course is to equip students with the concepts, principles, as well as nuts-n-bolts of technical writing. This course includes hands-on exercises and role plays, e.g. contact creator, author, editors, etc. At the completion of this course, student will be able to write thesis, scientific paper and technical paper with minimal inputs from advisor(s) and/or expert(s).

Course Contents:

This course includes introduction to technical writing, the process of writing, do’s & don’ts of technical writing, elements of style, types of technical writing etc.

• Introduction to Technical Writing:Definition of technical writing; Basic principles in technical writing; characteristics of effective technical writing and other types of writing


• The Process of Writing: Four-step process for technical writing :analyse, organize, write, and revise. Understanding audience/readers, collecting and organizing information and drafting information verbally and visually. Techniques of paragraph development. Using Illustrations-purpose and qualities of visuals.


• Elements of Style: Identifying and avoiding common grammatical errors, use of proper punctuation, word choice, words and expression commonly misused and words often misspelled. Formal academic writing style-Clarity, precise, familiar and forthright. Avoiding impediments to writing and academic dishonesty /plagiarism.


• Technical Writing (Report, Proposal, Review& Research Paper): Formal Technical Reports and Informal Reports: Front Matter, Main body and Back Matter. Citation/ Referencing style (APA/Chicago/ Harvard) Writing a procedure, describing machines/ processes and writing instructions. Types of review and edit; review and editing methodology Format: Typography and layout of documents Writing research proposals, research papers, abstracts and smart e-mails.


• Exercise: State of the art reviews on topics related to science, technology, nature, conservation, education, social behaviour etc.

Suggested Readings :

1. Alred et.al. (2015). Handbook of technical writing (11th edition) by Bedford/ St.Martins.
2. Atkinson and Corbitt (2021). Mindful technical writing. 2021 edition, Montana University System.
3. The Elements of Style-William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White. (Pearson Education, Inc.)
4. Technical Communication: A Practical Approach - William Sanborn Pfeiffer and T.V.S Padmaja (Pearson Education, Inc.)
5. Technical Communication: Principles and Practice - Meenakshi Raman and Sangeeta Sharma (Oxford University Press).

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