comm 1009 week four 2014

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Comm. 1009: Week 4

Technical Descriptions

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Week 4 – Components of Technical

Descriptions

– Expanded definition/ clarifier review

– What, where, why?

– Classifying and partitioning

– Writing a technical description

– Types and elements of Process

Descriptions

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EXPANDED DEFINITIONS (Review)

– A brief form of technical description

– Formal definition plus 3 or more clarifiers

• analogy

• etymology

• principal of operation

•illustration

• Etc. (See Ch. 5 in course text)

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Analogy

– Compares the unfamiliar to the familiar to identifymajor characteristics.

– Examples:

A civet cat is a raccoon-like omnivorousmammal of Mexico and the

southwestern United States having a

long bushy tail with black and white

rings.

A kumquat is a citrus fruit about the size

and shape of a pecan.

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Etymology

– The linguistic origin of the word may help

clarify its definition.

–

Example:

“The term, ‘solenoid’ is derived from the

Greek word, solenoeides, which means

‘channel’ or ‘shaped like a pipe’.”

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Illustration

– Drawings, photographs or diagrams

– Introduced by an identifying sentence before

– Discussed after their use

1977 BMW R100 RS:

the world’s first full

fairing production

motorcycle.

– Descriptive labels

and captions

– Positioned carefully

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Choose the right illustrations

– Visual overviews:• photographs, realistic drawings, maps

– Interior components:• show how parts fit together• Phantom views, schematics, cross-section

maps

– Individual parts in relation to the whole:• exploded views, cutaway views.

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To support easy and quick

comprehension

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13 Types of Data Illustrations

1. Tables

2. Bar charts/graphs

3. Pictographs

4. Line charts/graphs

5. Pie charts

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13 Types of Graphics

6. Photographs

7. Drawings/Illustrations8. Screen shots

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Diagrams can be very effective for instructions

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Use the PFDs and P & IDs to explain a process orsystem

9.Flow charts

10.Diagrams


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TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS

• Any info product that describes something

with a mechanical or scientific focus.

• Explains an item or topic to someone who

wants to understand, buy, use, operate, orassemble it.

• Can include specifications, graphics with words

and/or diagrams, prose (text in paragraphs) orbullet point details.

• Design according to audience and purpose.

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Where are technical

descriptions used?

• Observation notes

• Reference manuals and training materials

• Proposals and reports

• Marketing and promotional pieces

• Public information and education.

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Why do we use technical

descriptions?

• To show how something is put together andwhy it works.

• More specifically:

– What is it? What does it do?

– What is its purpose and importance?

– What are its characteristics?

– What are its parts?

– How do the parts fit together and worktogether?

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Using partition and

classification

• When describing a single item, partition it into its

component parts.

• When describing a collection of items, classify them

into smaller groups.

• In technical descriptions, we use both techniques

and delineating the boundaries can be difficult and

even *arbitrary.

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Effective Classifications

– Inclusive − Every item has a place, all

items belonging to group are included

–

Exclusive −

Every item has only oneplace, items not belonging to group are

excluded

– Informative − Groupings are useful to

readers.

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Effective Partitions

– Inclusive – every part is included

– Exclusive – parts that do not belong to

the product or mechanism being

partitioned are excluded

– Informative – groupings useful to

readers.

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Considering Purpose

• If purpose is descriptive:

– Focus on structural components – physical

aspects of the device, without regard to

purpose.

• If purpose is to explain or discuss:

– Focus on functional components – perform

clearly defined tasks in the operation of thedevice.

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Using the clearest descriptive

sequence

– Spatial sequence – The way it appears

as a static object

– Functional sequence – The way itsparts operate in order

– Chronological sequence – The way its

parts are assembled.

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Other Elements

• Distinguish between major and minor parts

– Major parts are large and essential

– Minor or sub-parts offer detail on minor

parts• Use precise diction so that information is

verifiable

• Use illustrations where useful:

– Visual overviews in Introduction

– Component views in Body.

comm 1009 week four 2014

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