Outlining & Organizing

Technical Texts

CUFE, Gen 600, 2014-2015

Topic Outline

Phrases, incomplete meaning A reminder of a thought Written hastily Require rephrasing

sentences.

Sentence Outline

Complete sentences, complete meanings.

Reminders of thoughts Need to be Written Do not require rephrasing.

Sample from Daily Drilling Reports CONT' CIRC HOLE CLEAN POOH TO/8510' ,HAD TIGHT SPOTS

@8817',8809',8679',8642', 8540 , WORKED ON SAME W/PUMPING OUT @700 GPM AND MIXING 2000 BBL'S O.B.M)

RIH BACK TO BOTTOM @ 8900' W/ WASH DOWN @ 700 GPM

SWEEP HOLE W/ 50 BBLS HI-VIS PILL & CIRC. WHILE PREPAIR AND MIXING OIL BASE MUD

PJSM , PUMPED 40 BBLS DIESEL SPACER AHEAD , DISPLACE HOLE W/ 11.0 PPG OBM @ 300 GPM

CIRC. COND. MUD POOH FOR CORING

TO/7265'(PRECAUTIONARY PUMP OUT & BACK REAM TIGHT SPOTS F/8680' TO/8200',PUMP OUT F/8200' TO/7450')

Sample from Daily Drilling Reports (special jargon) Continue circulating hole clean POOH to/8510', had tight spots at 8817', 8809',

8679', 8642', and 8540, worked on string while pumping out @700 gpm and mixing 2000 bbl's O.B.M

RIH back to bottom @ 8900' while washing down (mud rate 700 gpm)

Sweep hole w/ 50 bbl. hi-vis pill & circ. while preparing and mixing oil base mud

Held PJSM , pumped 40 bbl diesel spacer ahead , displaced hole w/ 11.0 ppg OBM @ 300 gpm

Circulating and . Conditioning Mud POOH to/7265 for coring (precautionary pump

out & back ream tight spots f/8680' to/8200', pump out f/8200' to/7450')

Topic Outline

Topic Sentence

Technical

Writers

Being a

Successful

Technical

Writers

Requirement

s for Being a

Successful

Technical

Writer

A good technical writer needs strong language and teaching skills and must understand the conventions of modern technical communication. ------------------------------------

A good technical writer should have strong language skills

One of English-teaching objectives

Show effects of language and arrangement

The ability to visualize the features of a text, and

how those features are arranged is vital to

understanding when reading.

Visualizing features

improves understanding Controls texts at a much deeper level

Control comes

Through visualizing a text type Understanding construction and meaning

This understanding is fundamental to reading and

comprehension.

1. Paraphrasing

2. Summarizing

3. Quoting

4. Defining

5. Comparing and Contrasting

6. Generalizing

7. Classifying

8. Agreeing and Disagreeing

Source: Leonardo da Vinci program, European Commission

Writing in English: A Practical Handbook for Scientific and Technical Writers

Language Functions

The Processes of Writing

1. Define SMCR+(OFST). P

2. Collect Ideas. I

3. Outline. P

4. Organize. P

5. Field check. C

6. Write /Type text. I

7. Revise. C, Im

8. Field check. C, Im

9. Edit /Proofread. C, Im

10. Print, Bind, Distribute. I

11. Collect feedback. 12. Improve. C, Im

The writing Process Sentences & Paragraphs

1. Define SMCROFES.

2. Collect data.

3. Outline ideas.

4. Organize outline.

5. Write. 6. Revise text.

7. Field-check.

8. Edit.

9. Dispatch.

10. Get feedback.

11. Evaluate. Improve.

Introduction Body Conclusion Way-to-begin

1. Develop the sub-topic

into effective

sentences. Way-to-

develop 2. Conclude paragraphs. 3. Write transition

between paragraphs. 4. Write the last

paragraph.

Outlining is representing ideas in short, general terms.

helps remember major ideas. helps organize thoughts and

writing plans.

saves writer's time. imposes control on writing.

Types of Outlines

History (one word) History of smog in Greater Cairo (phrase) Collect information related to History of

smog in greater Cairo. (sentence) Nuisance of smog Nuisance caused by smog Nuisance caused by smog in Greater Cairo

during fall seasons

Smog has caused many problems to handicapped people. Gather information

about types of nuisance, who suffers,

extent of sufferings, etc.

Types of Outlines

Sentence outline (SO) In SO, ideas are complete sentences. SO formulates clear ideas. SO remains clear if left for a long time. SO may become cumbersome. Topic outline (TO) Using phrases to express ideas Advantages: shortness Disadvantages: lack of clarity Mixed outlining (MO) For major topics, use sentence outline. TO for minor topics.

I. Purpose: Write an essay on outlining Outlining is a tool in the process of writing Specific Organizing ideas Presenting material in a logical form Showing relationships among ideas Sequencing overview of writing. ======================

II. The Process of Writing

Determine purpose.

Determine audience.

Develop thesis.

Sample of an outline

Outlines should show balanced structures Coordinated lists: equal significance.

Correct coordination

A. Word processing programs B. Database programs C. Spreadsheet programs

Faulty coordination

A. Word processing programs B. Advantages of Microsoft PowerPoint C. History of animation audiovisual presentations

2. Division/Subordination: Different levels

Faulty

A. Word processing programs

B. Word, Excel

Correct

A. Word processing programs

Microsoft Word Software WordPerfect Software

Faulty division

A. Computers

B. Mainframe

C. Floppy disk

For Numbering Alphanumerical

I A. 1.

a. b.

Decimal

1.0 1.1 1.2.1 1.2.2.1

Outline the following paragraph 1. The two processes, speaking and writing, are not identical.

2. Writing is not simply speech written down on paper. 3. Learning to write is not just a natural extension of learning to

speak a language. 4. We learned to speak our first language at home without systematic instruction; whereas, most of us

had to be taught in school how to write that same language.

5. Many adult native speakers of a language find writing

difficult. 6. A speaker speaks to a listener who is right there,

nodding or frowning, or interrupting or questioning. 7. For the writer, the reader's response is either delayed or

nonexistent. 8. When one looks at these differences and there are few more we can see that the students will not just pick-up writing as

they learn other skills in classes. 9. We have to teach them writing.

Reverse Outline. Outline Write

Sentence Outline

Speaking and writing, are not identical.

1. Writing is not written speech on paper.

2. Learning to write is not learning to speak.

3. We learned to speak at home and to write in

schools.

4. Writing is difficult.

5. The speakers and listeners are present.

6. The reader's response is absent.

7. The writer has one chance to hold the readers'

attention.

8. Students will not pick-up writing alone.

9. We have to teach them writing.

Topic Outline

Differences between speaking and writing

Writing not speech on paper Different from learning Speaking at home Writing in school Difficulties of writing Presence of listeners feedback Absence of readers feedback Chance to hold readers' attention Need for learning how to write We have to teach students how to write

(sentence outline, this is a main idea).

Organizing

Follows three orders Natural Logical Psychological 1. Natural Orders Time and space (spatial order) Introduction, Body, & Conclusion Alphabetical Order Size, chronological Could be imposed by the subject

2. Logical Orders

Climactic Order: interest

General-to-Specific Order

Specific-to-General

Cause-to-Effect Analysis

Condition-Result

(Argument) Other ways: familiarity, complexity, usefulness, utility, cost, impact,

3. Psychological Orders To satisfy the reader using emotional reactions: Acceptability Dominant impression Fear Anxiety Hesitation . Prevails in advertisements

Organizing Information in Reports Ascending Emphasis importance increases as reading advances. Reverse Climax important ideas are placed at the beginning.

Mixed order summary + introduction + the

body (details) + conclusions. Summary is descriptive If

integrated with the text . If summary is independent, it is

informative.

details

conclusion

summary

Reverse Emphasis

details

conclusions

summary

Emphatic Style

summary

Conclusions

& R

Body

(details)

Three Ways for

Organizing Texts

Mixed Style

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Sample of an Organized Outline I. Major Steps in the Writing Process

A.Outlining/Organizing B. Writing C. Evaluating D. Revising

II. Use of Word Processors A. Programs & Relationship to Writing

1. Handling Thought 2. Word Processors

a. Use in writing b. Use in revising B. Pros & Cons of Word Processors

1. Positive features a. Less time spent b. Greater flexibility, .

2. Negative features .