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Lesson: 4 Cs of Technical Writing

After spending a number of years working in the business world as a consultant, I am shaping and structuring this course with practical information that I have gathered. You will find that you will be able to make far reaching practical applications with this information. At the same time, I know that in order for you to make the most of what you learn, you will need to participate in the learning process. I am going to ask you to help to develop some concept behind effective technical writing by reflecting upon four key terms, and by recording your ideas in the spaces provided.

I like to refer to these key terms as the 4 Cs: and these Cs stand for "Clear, Concise, Coherent, and Correct. Every effective piece of technical writing should have the characteristics of the 4 Cs.

Think about the first "C", clear. If we are referring to technical writing, would we be talking about the same meaning that "clear" would have in the sense of a clear windowpane?

No, of course not. Clear means something different in this context. A window pane is clear because you can see through it; it is transparent.

I am going to give you some phrases that apply different meanings of the word "clear" in the frame of technical writing, and I want you to do two things with each phrase. First I want you to give each word of these phrases some thought. Think about how they work with or relate to each other. Then I want you to briefly write what the phrases mean to you, and give an example or two to illustrate the phrase if possible.

When you are finished, check all of your answers over, type your name in the place designated, and press the submit button. Later I will tell you what these words mean to me, and you will be able to check your answers.

I will work the first example with you.

Clear:
Clearly defined Purpose (of a technical document):

My reflections: If there is a clearly defined purpose in a technical document, the reader will then know exactly what response is expected. Some purposes for writing might be to persuade, to inform, to instruct, or to recommend.

Now try the next one by yourself.

1. Adequate Factual Support for Purpose:

2. Clear and Appropriate Organization:

3. Clear Sentences:

4. Concise: The second of the 4 Cs stands for Concise. Effective technical documents are written concisely. Think about what the word Concise means to you. Follow the directions above for these two phrases:

Concise Presentation (of a technical document):

5. Effective Language:

6. I am not assigning grade point values to these answers, so what I want from these exercises is for you to begin building a knowledge base. I do want you to give each phrase some serious thought.

The 3rd "C" stands for Coherent. Think about what this word means to you. (It does mean something to you, doesn’t it?) Try to relate the word coherent to the next phrases, and coherently follow the directions above for these phrases.

Logical Patterns

7. Argumentative Patterns:

8. Other Organizational Forms:

9. The 4th "C" stands for Correct. I would like you to clearly reflect upon the following phrases:

Appropriate Use of Standard Formats

10. Proper Conventions:

11. Now that you are finished, submit the answers to me. If you missed some of the important points, you will have a chance in the assignment to show a more complete understanding. I am a fairly understanding person. I made a mistake once, myself.

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E-mail Greg Larkin at Gregory.Larkin@nau.edu
or call (520) 523-4911

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