English assignment
Crimson32 
page431and432.docxChapter 16: Technical Reading Chapter Introduction
Book Title: Technical Writing for Success
Chapter Introduction
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Goals Explain the difference between technical reading and literary reading Preview and anticipate material before you read Use strategies for reading technical passages |
Terms
acronyms (letters that stand for a long or complicated term or series of terms) annotating (handwritten notes, often placed in the margins of a document being read) anticipate (to guess or predict before actually reading a passage what kind of reasoning it might present)
background knowledge (knowledge and vocabulary that a reader has already learned and then calls upon to better understand new information)
formal outline (a listing of main ideas and subtopics arranged in a traditional format of Roman numerals, capital letters, numbers, and lowercase letters)
graphic organizers (the use of circles, rectangles, and connecting lines in notes to show the relative importance of one piece of information to another)
informal outline (a listing of main ideas and subtopics arranged in a less traditional format of single headings and indented notes)
literary reading (reading literature such as short stories, essays, poetry, and novels) pace (to read efficiently; to read at a rate that is slow enough to allow the mind to absorb information but fast enough to complete the reading assignment)
previewing (looking over a reading assignment before reading it; determining the subject matter and any questions about the material before reading it) technical reading (reading science, business, or technology publications)
technical vocabulary (specialized words used in specific ways unique to a particular discipline)
Write to Learn
How does a science or computer textbook differ from a work of literature? Do you read scientific or technical material differently from the way you read literature? If so, how? Do you like to read? Why or why not? How often do you read scientific or technical information? How do you remember what you read? Write a journal entry addressing these questions.
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Focus on Technical Reading Read Figure 16.1 and answer these questions: What features of technical writing do you recognize in the passage? What has the reader done to interact with and understand this passage? What kind of information has the reader noted? What If? How might the model change if … The passage included more technical vocabulary? The information in the passage was part of a presentation on satellites? The passage included a couple of graphics? |
Figure 16.1
Sample of Technical Reading
Source: From Essentials of Oceanography by Garrison, 2009. Reprinted with permission of Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Writing @Work
Courtesy of Stephen Freas
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Source: The Center to Advance CTE Stephen Freas is a construction subcontractor in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He is a supervisor on job sites and manages small crews to build projects based on drawings provided by the general contractor. He writes contracts, e-mails with clients, and often consults manuals and building codes. The contracts Stephen writes are more than just fine print to be skimmed and signed. “A contract lets the client know exactly what we’re going to do—what materials and processes will be necessary, what those will cost, and what the potential risks are,” says Stephen. “A detailed contract also prevents us from doing costly work for free.” Stephen’s job requires him to do a great deal of technical reading. “Reading construction plans and technical manuals requires a physical engagement with the writing,” he says. “In these texts, an action usually follows each sentence or image. This makes for slow but ‘action-packed’ reading that helps you accomplish something you had no idea how to do previously.” Stephen often combines information gleaned from several different pieces of technical writing in order to make proper decisions. For example, “Once, we built a handicap ramp to the specifications written by the contractor. Upon inspection, the city told us that the ramp did not meet its building code standards. I refused to rebuild the ramp until I read the city code myself. The code listed specifics such as ramp thickness; railing height; and, most important, ramp slope. I calculated that in order to meet city code specifications, the ramp needed to be three times longer than the contractor’s original plan and, coincidentally, the same slope as the existing sidewalk.” Stephen credits his technical reading dexterity to countless hours of following instruction manuals for his car, photography, climbing, and other hobbies. Think Critically 1. Why does Stephen consider construction plans and technical manuals to be “action-packed”? 2. Think about the completed handicap ramp from the point of view of Stephen, the general contractor, and the building inspector. What solution would work for everyone? Printed with permission of Stephen Freas |
Writing in Architecture and Construction Building contractors plan, coordinate, and supervise construction projects. Writing consists of evaluating the job site and scope of work; designing specifications with accompanying photos; and creating bid documents, change orders, and general correspondence. Evaluations assess the feasibility of the project considering such things as removal of asbestos for renovations or placement of sewer lines for new construction. The scope of work pinpoints the responsibilities of the contractor. For example, the contractor may or may not be responsible for landscaping, depending on the agreement reached.
Putting in writing the exact building specifications and accompanying costs is an essential task for a contractor. For example, the description of the wooden steps should be precise and clear to prevent misunderstandings later: “A new set of timber-framed steps with hand rails (meeting the SC Residential Building Code) will be added within the porch to access the porch from the front door (to replace existing concrete steps.” Change orders revise the initial plan when a homeowner wants to add something, such as a half bath, or when a problem arises that neither the contractor nor homeowner foresaw. Once the project is underway, the contractor’s ability to convey clear instructions to workers is critical.
Estimating costs may be the most difficult part of the contractor’s job. Contractors research all current material costs and subcontractors’ estimates. They need a realistic understanding of the time to complete the project. Whether calculating time and materials or a turn-key contract price, builders estimate costs carefully and include a sufficient profit margin—or risk losing money.
Chapter 16: Technical Reading Chapter Introduction
Book Title: Technical Writing for Success
Printed By: Henry Mack ([email protected]) © 2019 Cengage Learning, Cengage Learning
© 2020 Cengage Learning Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this work may by reproduced or used in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanical, or in any other manner - without the written permission of the copyright holder.
