Basics of Composing Process:
The Basic parts of Composing Process:
The steps to follow in composing a technical document are:
 Analyzing the situation
 Discovering content
 Arranging
 Drafting
 Revising
 Editing
Analysis of the Situation:
Determine the need of your writing by understanding the purpose behind the
documentation and the situation. Try to find the answers to following
questions:
 Why am I writing this document?
 What is this document about?
 What so you want to achieve through your document?
 Why is this document required?
 Who is going to read it?
Choosing the content:
Content selection is an important step in
documentation. While choosing the content of
your document always keep the following rules in
mind:
 Always remember the purpose of your writing
 Do your research on the topic
 List all the ideas to keep track of your content
 Avoid unnecessary detail
 Use precise words which emphasize your
intention
Arranging the Document:
 Different types of documents require different content. The requirement of
the document is an important aspect of technical writing. To arrange the
document in an orderly manner is necessary.
 Keeping track of your writing requires organization and time, but it can lead
to well formatted document which would allow you to perform better at
your work.
 Making headings, sorting out different material and providing tables are
the simple steps that can be used to arrange the document.
Drafting:
Drafting is the process where you start arranging your ideas. Make draft of your
ideas and explain it. The ideas you arranged might change if you start
explaining them.
 Start by writing the topic of the document
 Give an introduction to document and explain its purpose.
 Explain the idea presented in the document.
 Provide content supporting your idea.
 Write all information about the topic.
 Don’t focus on the writing errors as they can be removed in editing process.
 Wrap up the document by providing a conclusion.
Revising and Editing the Content:
Revising the Content:
Editing the Document:
It involves changing of ideas and
should be done by the writer himself
It means changing of words and can be
done by anyone.
To revise think of ARMS:
To edit the document, think of CUPS:
 Add:
 Capitalize:
Details, words, sentences
Names, titles, places, months
 Remove:
Unnecessary details, overused words
Verify correct usage of verbs and nouns
 Move:
Rearrange the sentences so they make
sense
 Substitute:
Unimportant
sentences
 Usage:
detail
for
meaningful
 Punctuation:
Use periods, commas, question marks
 Spelling:
Check spelling errors