OER Texts
Technical Writing Essentials: Introduction to Professional Communications in the Technical Fields.
- Suzan Last; Contributors Candice Neveu & Monika Smith
- https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/
This textbook offers a strong introduction to a range of core technical writing topics and workplace writing contexts. Key content includes the following sections: (1.) What is Technical Communication?, (2.) Professional Style, (7.) Common Document Types including (7.1) Correspondence [i.e. Emails, Memos, Letters] and (7.6) Lab Reports. See also the Appendices: (A) Referring to Author & Titles, (B) Writing Summaries, and (C) Integrating Quotations, Paraphrases, Summaries.
Mindful Technical Writing
- Dawn Atkinson & Stacey Corbitt
- https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/824
This textbook adapts content from Last’s Technical Writing Essentials (discussed above) but is focused on helping students build academic and study skills as well as gain proficiency in technical writing. It incorporates questions and activities throughout to help students reflect on what makes for effective technical writing. Key Content includes the following units: (I.) Exploring Technical Writing Fundamentals, (II.) Writing Documents, (III.) Attending to Design, (IV.) Working with Sources, and (VII.) Producing Correspondence.
Open Technical Communication
- Tiffani Reardon, Tamara Powell, Johnathan Arnett, Monique Logan, & Cassie Race
- https://alg.manifoldapp.org/projects/open-tc
This textbook offers substantive content addressing a variety of technical writing applications/genres and characteristics and features thereof. Useful examples of ineffective and effective technical writing are offered throughout. Key content includes the following chapters: (1) Introduction to Technical Writing; (2) Applications of Technical Writing including (2.2) Types of Technical Writing Documents, (2.11) Titles, Abstracts, Introductions & Conclusions, and (2.13) Memos & Emails; (3) Ethics in Technical Communication; and (5) Processes & Guidelines in Technical Writing.
Technical Writing
- Allison Gross, Annemarie Hamlin, Billy Merck, Chris Rubio, Jodi Naas, Megan Savage, and Michele DeSilva
- https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/technicalwriting/
This textbook prioritizes writing in the workplace in its organization of content, which begins with various forms of technical correspondence, but also covers a range of topics addressing writing contexts and audience analysis. Key content includes (1.) Professional Communications including (1.2) Emails, (1.4) Memorandums, and (1.5) Letters; (8.) Creating & Integrating Graphics; (9.) Ethics in Technical Writing; and (13.) Communicating Across Cultures.
Media
What is Technical Writing?
- Azuza Pacific Youtube video
Goals of Scientific Writing
The Writing of Engineers and Scientists is Important
Writing Concisely: UNC Writing Center
Supplemental Materials
Active Reading Strategies
Craft of Scientific Writing website
About Writing: A Guide: Revised Edition
- Robin Jeffrey (Nuts and bolts basic writing guide)
- https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/aboutwriting/
Additional Resources
- https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/
- https://www.apuwritingcenter.com/handouts:
- Lab Reports.pdf
- APA7_Students-Handout_FINAL.pdf
