Technical Report

Writing

Lecture # 1
What is Writing…?

• "Writing" is the process of using symbols (letters

of the alphabet, punctuation and spaces) to
communicate thoughts and ideas in a readable
form.
• To write clearly it is essential to understand the
basic system of a language.
• In English this includes knowledge of grammar,
punctuation and sentence structure. Vocabulary is
also necessary, as is correct spelling and formatting.
Styles of Writing

When it comes to writing in English, there are two

main styles of writing –

1. Formal
2. Informal
 Consider these two examples:

• Example 1: This is to inform you that your book

has been rejected by our publishing company as
it was not up to the required standard. In case
you would like us to reconsider it, we would
suggest that you go over it and make some
necessary changes.

Example 2: You know that book I wrote? Well,

the publishing company rejected it. They thought
it was awful. But hey, I did the best I could, and I
think it was great. I’m not gonna redo it the way
they said I should. 
• The difference between the two is obvious. The first
one is formal, and the second is informal. But what is
it that makes them formal and informal?
• It is the style of writing, or the way we use words to
say what we want to say.
• Different situations call for different ways of
putting words together.
• The way we write in academic and scientific settings
differs greatly from the way we write to a friend or
close one. The tone, vocabulary, and syntax, all
change as the occasion changes.
• This difference in the styles of writing is the
difference between formality and informality, or the
difference between formal and informal writing. 
Slide Title
 Types of Writing Styles

There are four main types of writing:

1. Expository,
2. Descriptive,
3. Persuasive, and ,
4. Narrative

Each of these writing styles is used for a specific purpose.

A single text may include more than one writing style.
1. Expository

• Expository writing explains or informs. It talks

about a subject without giving opinions.
• Expository writing's main purpose is to explain. It
is a subject-oriented writing style, in which
authors focus on telling you about a given topic or
subject without voicing their personal opinions.
• These types of essays or articles furnish you with
relevant facts and figures but do not include their
opinions.
 Key Points

• Usually explains something in a process.

• Is often equipped with facts and figures.
• Is usually in a logical order and sequence.
• Explains a concept or idea while including details
for support.
• Such writing is usually based on a subject and
therefore requires facts, not opinions.
When You Would Use Expository
Writing:
• Textbooks
• How-to articles
• Recipes
• News stories (not editorials)
• Business, technical, or scientific writing
 Example of Expository Writing

This morning at 9am, a school bus collided with a car

at the intersection of Jinnah and Kashmir streets.
There were no injuries on the school bus, but
medical personnel performed checks on each
student and the driver before those students were
transported to their schools. The driver of the car
sustained slight, non-life-threatening injuries. He
was transported to the local hospital. The accident
is still under investigation at this time.
2. Descriptive
• Descriptive writing's main purpose is to
describe.
• It is a style of writing that focuses on describing
a character, an event, or a place in great detail.
• It can be poetic when the author takes the time
to be very specific in his or her descriptions.
• Fiction and poetry are filled
with descriptive language, since the purpose is
not to inform but to entertain.
2. Descriptive (ContD)

• Someone may read this type of writing to enjoy

the beauty of the language and writing itself.

• Therefore, this style tends to use more

adjectives and adverbs, as well as figurative
language and imagery, to create detail that
allows the reader to envision the scenery and
events in their minds.
 Key Points

• It is often poetic in nature.

• It describes places, people, events, situations, or
locations in a highly-detailed manner.
• The author visualizes what he or she sees, hears,
tastes, smells, and feels.
• The author does not trying to convince the
audience of anything or explain the scene – merely
describe things as they are.
When You Would Use Descriptive
Writing

• Poetry
• Journal or diary writing
• Nature writing
• Descriptive passages in fiction
 Example of Descriptive Writing

Living in the city means dealing with the pollution

from cars, factories and anything else that might be
coming through the area. Thousands of people hit
the streets every day to get to work. The air was
thicker. When you went outside to take in a breath
of fresh air, you smelled smog, sewage and any
number of other contaminants. It was a foul smell
that you didn’t want to breathe in, but you got used
to it after living in it for so long.
3. Persuasive
• Persuasive writing tries to bring other people
around to your point of view.
• Persuasive writing's main purpose is to
convince.
• Unlike expository writing, persuasive writing
contains the opinions and biases of the author.
• To convince others to agree with the author's
point of view, persuasive writing contains
justifications and reasons.
2. Persuasive(ContD)

• It is often used in letters of complaint,

advertisements or commercials, affiliate
marketing pitches, cover letters, and
newspaper opinion and editorial pieces.
• Persuasive writing is the main style of writing
you will use in academic papers
•  Any “argumentative” essay you write should be
in the persuasive style of writing.
 Key Points

• Persuasive writing is equipped with reasons,

arguments, and justifications.
• In persuasive writing, the author takes a stand and
asks you to agree with his or her point of view.
• It often asks for readers to do something about the
situation (this is called a call-to-action)
When You Would Use Persuasive
Writing

• Opinion and editorial newspaper pieces.

• Advertisements.
• Reviews (of books, music, movie, restaurants,
etc.).
• Letter of recommendation.
• Letter of complaint.
• Cover letters
 Example of Persuasive Writing
Learning foreign languages is extremely beneficial for
personal development. Not only does it allow you to better
understand other cultures and mentalities, but it also
enriches your personality with new outlooks, makes you
more open-minded—which is extremely valuable nowadays.
Besides, speaking at least one foreign language can
significantly improve your travelling experience, help you
make new friends from abroad, and start business or
romantic relationships. In addition, professionals who speak
foreign languages are more valued by their companies, and
often get a chance to work in different countries.
4. Narrative
• A narrative tells a story. There will usually be
characters and dialogue.
•  It aims to entertain the reader; however,
instead of trying to entertain the reader with the
beauty of its language, the writer is trying to tell
a story. 
• The author will create different characters and
tell you what happens to them (sometimes the
author writes from the point of view of one of
the characters—this is known as first person
narration).
2. Narrative(ContD)
• Narrative writing answers the question: “What
happened then?”
• Narrative writing will use more descriptive language and
imagery, because the author wants the reader to imagine
the characters, scenes, and setting in order to become
part of the story's world and to connect to its plot.
• Narrative writing is used in almost every longer piece of
writing, whether fiction or nonfiction. When an author
writes in a narrative style, they are not just trying to
impart information, they are trying to construct and
communicate a story, complete with characters,
conflict, and settings.
 Key Points

• A person tells a story or event.

• Has characters and dialogue.
• Has definite and logical beginnings, intervals, and
endings.
• Often has situations like actions, motivational
events, and disputes or conflicts with their eventual
solutions.
When You Would Use Narrative
Writing

• Novels
• Short stories
• Novellas
• Poetry
• Autobiographies or biographies
• Anecdotes
• Oral histories
 Example of Narrative Writing

I once had a dream. The best dream ever. I

wished it was real when I woke up.
I was on stage singing a song. When I finished
my song, the audience never stopped clapping.
They threw me roses and coins and presents…..
The End