Technical Descriptions

1. Technical Descriptions • Purpose • Parts • Rewriting

2. Purpose of Technical Descriptions

3. Sample: Product Demand Spec

4. Sample: Sales Literature Spec

5. Parts of a Technical Description • Title • Introduction • Discussion • Conclusion

6. Title • Clearly state the topic of your description • Name the piece of equipment or mechanism • Give a serial number for identification, if applicable The 3219X2Z Radon Extractor Description of the Standard Bumper Jack The A1 Feed Switch

7. Introduction • Specify and define the mechanism you are describing • Explain the mechanisms functions or capabilities • List its major components

8. Introduction, cont. Start with a Technical Definition: • The name of the item to be defined • The class to which the item belongs • The features that differentiate the item from all others in the class Specify and define the mechanism you are describing

9. Technical definitions …

10. Technical definitions … The standard bumper jack is a portable mechanism for raising the front or rear of a car through force applied with a lever. The jack enables even a frail person to lift one corner of a 2-ton automobile .

11. Introduction, cont. The jack consists of a molded steel base supporting a free-standing perpendicular, notched shaft (Figure 1). Attached to the shaft are a leverage mechanism, a bumper catch, and a cylinder for insertion in the jack handle. Except for the main shaft and leverage mechanism, the jack is made to be dismantled. All its parts file neatly in the car’s trunk. The jack operates on a leverage principle. During one normal jacking stroke, the operator’s hand travels 18 inches and the car raises or lowers 3/8 of an inch. Such a device requires many strokes to raise the car off the ground but may prove a lifesaver to a motorist on some deserted road. Explain the mechanisms functions or capabilities

12. Introduction, cont. List its major components The jack includes five main parts: base, notched shaft, leverage mechanism, bumper catch, and handle. (Figure 1)

13. Introduction for a simple item • Introduction • The topic • Its function • Its components Level of complexity depends on your purpose and audience. Topic Function The radon extractor, used to vent harmful radon gases from basements, includes only three pieces of equipment. Components

14. Discussion – Describes the components or parts • Use heading and subheadings to itemize and describe the components • Use graphics (with call-outs) to help the reader visualize the topic

15. For each main part…. Define each part in terms of: • Size (dimensions) • Shape • Weight • Density • Color • Identifying number • Make/model • Texture • Capacity • Material (composition) • Subparts • Function and relation to adjoining parts • Mode of attachment See samples: Bumper jack, A1 Feed Switch

16. Component description • Word Usage: Quantify using specific, denotative words vs. connotative words Denotative Connotative

17. Conclusion – Depends on your Purpose

18. Editing and Rewriting • Revise the rough draft by • Adding detail for clarity • Deleting dead words and phrases for conciseness • Simplifying terms for easy understanding • Moving text for emphasis • Reformatting for easy access • Enhancing the tone • Correcting errors for professionalism