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Writing

Learn the structure and style of technical writing in CS351 Software Engineering, including abstracts, introductions, body, conclusions, referencing, writing tools, metrics, and public speaking.

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Writing

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  1. Writing

  2. Technical writing Structure Referencing Writing Style Tools Metrics

  3. Structure • Abstract • high level summary - wild claims • Introduction • expanded abstract - forward references • Body • the main points, in depth • Conclusions • summary of main results • References • where your citations come from. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  4. Abstract • High level summary • what the document is about, • it highlights the theme of the document. • Mostly introduction and broad summary of results, • be careful of wild claims, • the document has to live up to the abstract. • An abstract may be optional, • write one anyway to get your ideas straight. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  5. Introduction • Expansion on the abstract, • States the important points, • give some context for each, • follow the theme, • makes the document interesting. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  6. Body • In depth explanation of important points, • deal with main points in order, • add explanatory sections as required, • give as much depth as the theme requires, • stick to the point. • Linkage • the introduction should flow into the body, • the sections should not appear isolated. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  7. Conclusions • Summarise • why the main points were important, • what was really demonstrated, • where is this all leading, • stick to the point. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  8. Referencing style • References should be cited when • Introducing a new concept, term, system, ... • Place reference at the end of the term, concept, sentence. • References in the body • [x] where x is a number, or inits++year • examples [bro95], [1], [4,6], [bro95a,bro95b] • References section • [x] Surname, Inits, ...., Title, Where to find it, year,page nums. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  9. Writing style • Brackets () for asides, • replace these with commas, • better still, rewrite the sentence so that arent required. • Reread sentences your work to see that it makes sense. • Have someone else review your work, • they should pretend to be naive, • “what does this mean?”, “I don’t understand” • forget your ego! CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  10. Tools • Use grammer and spelling checkers. • Spell checking picks up non-words, • it doesn’t mean the spelling is correct. • Grammar checkers pick up some obvious errors, • sentences without verbs, repeat words, obscure language, .... • they may not suit your document type. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  11. Writing metrics • Readability measures • some systems can also score your style, • average sentence lengths. • Scores are based on grammar analysis, • year 8 is the target, • technical documents tend be to year 12 or later, • why? it is hard to be definitive and technically correct. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  12. Public speaking • Where to start • Structure • Construction CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  13. Where to start • A clear statement of intention, • essential to keep it simple and to the point, • focus is everything (almost). • Be prepared, • Be comfortable - humour if you can do it, • Be interesting - understandable, up to date, • Be committed - believe in it. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  14. The proposition • You start with a subject, • too broad - but a start. • Define a theme, • specific aspect of the subject being presented. • Define a proposition, • the focus of the presentation. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  15. Structure • Introduction • state the theme - show its relevance, • introduce the main points, • write this last, • Main Points, • Conclusion. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  16. Main points • Main points all support the theme, • 3 or possibly 4, • repetition to help it stick. • Sub-points, • to clarify, expand, illustrate, apply each main point, • Length • by elaboration of the main points, • 30-40 minutes is easy, • you only have 5 minutes. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

  17. Conclusion • Summarise and challenge. • Structure, • restate main points, stress title, • restate application of main points, • optional illustration to make aim or purpose clear, • appeal. • Appeal to • desire, duty, fear, OR • deal with objections. CS351 - Software Engineering (AY2004)

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