The 7 C’s of Technical

Writing
 COURTESY

 Knowing our audience allows us to use statements of

courtesy.
 It involves being aware not only of the perspective of
others but also their feelings.
 Writers who send courteous and cordial messages help to
build goodwill .
 Helps to earn reader’s respect and sustain healthy
relationship with them.
 It helps develop a positive environment .
 GUIDELINES :

 Usea courteous tone: be thoughtful

and appreciative.
 Useexpressions that show respect
towards others.
 Avoid anger, be patient.
 Avoiddogmatism(to lay down the
opinions of others without
consideration).
 Choose non-discriminatory expressions.
 EXAMPLE:

Stupid letter, I can’t I should have tried to

understand . understand it, could
you please explain it
once again.

It is your fault,you did not Sometimes my wording is

properly read my letter. not precise, let me write
that to you once again.
 CONSIDERATION

 Itmeans to consider the reader’s

interest and intension.
 Itis very important to keep in
mind the target group tp whom
you are directing your messages.
 Itis the most important C as it
takes connects to the reader’s
emotions and feelings.
 GUIDELINES:

 Show audience benefit or interest

of the receiver.
 Use positive and pleasant facts.
 Alwaysavoid what has not been
done so far.
 Never disrespect your audience.
 Do not be curt.
 EXAMPLE:
 Always write in such a way how audience
should be benefited from it.
“I am delighted to announce 50% off on all
grocery items.”
 YOU ATTITUDE:
“you will be able to shop in the evening with
extented number of hours”
always try to address the reader’s needs or
wants.
 COMPLETENESS

 Message is complete when it contains

all facts the reader or listener needs for
the reaction you desire.
 The message must be complete. It
should convey all the facts required by
the audience. The sender of the
message must take into consideration
the receiver and should communicate
all the facts and figures related to the
message. 
 GUIDELINE
S:
 Provide
All Necessary
Information
 Answer all questions asked.
 Givesomething extra when
desirable.
Provide All Necessary Information
Answering the five W’s helps make messages clear:
Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
Answer All Questions Asked
 Look for questions: some may even appear buried
within a paragraph. Locate them and then answer
precisely. 
Give Something Extra
When Desirable Use your good judgment in offering
additional material if the sender’s message was
incomplete.
 CONCISENESS

 Conciseness is saying what you

want to say in the fewest possible
words without sacrificing the
other C qualities. 
 A concise message is complete
without being wordy.
 GUIDELINES:

I. Eliminate wordy
expressions
II. Include only relevant
material.
III. Avoid unnecessary
repetition.
 EXAMPLES:

  Wordy: At this time

Concise: Now
Wordy: Due to the fact
that
Concise: Because
 Clarity
 Emphasizing on a specific message or goal at a
time, rather than trying to achieve too much at
once.
 Construct effective and well structured
sentences that clarify the meanings properly.
 Avoid long sentences as they sometime
mislead the readers in sense of meanings.
 Features:

 With Precise and familiar words

 It makes understanding easier.
 Clarity
of thoughts and ideas
enhances the meaning of
message.
  IN A LEAVE LETTER, IF YOU
WRITE,

 I WENT OFF TO A HILL-

STATION FOR THE
e
pl
WEEKEND AND WHEN WE
RETURNED THIS MORNING
am

MY MOTHER CHECKED MY
TEMP. AND IT WAS 40 DEG.
Ex

CEN. THEREFORE I’LL NOT

BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE
CLASS TODAY.

 I WON’T BE ABLE TO
ATTEND THE CLASS TODAY
SINCE I GOT TEMP.
 Concreteness

Implies being particular

and clear rather than
fuzzy and general. 
Concreteness strengthens
the confidence. 
 Features:

 Itis supported with

specific facts and figures.
 Use of words that are
clear and that build the
reputation.
 Example
 If a news channel shows that a few people dies in
an accident, you will think since its only a few the
accident might not have been that huge
 But if they shows that 20 people died in an
accident then it gives you that impression that
the accident might have been huge
 In this manner if there are (correct) figures and
facts in your communication, the impact on
information receiver will be more.
 Correctness 

Impliesthat there are no

grammatical errors in
communication.
No mistakes in the
language that is being
used.
 Features:
 The message is exact, correct
and well-timed.
 Itmakes use of appropriate and
correct language in the
message.
 Correctmessage has greater
impact on the
audience/readers.
Thank you

 Presented by:
 Ishita
 Gunjan
 Shruti