The Seeming Contradiction of Precise Detail. Detailed explanations of objects, places, or...
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Transcript of The Seeming Contradiction of Precise Detail. Detailed explanations of objects, places, or...
The Seeming Contradiction of Precise Detail
Technical Descriptions
Detailed explanations of objects, places, or processes, written for various purposes in the technical workplaceDescribe products for
quality control or saleApplications for patentsEngineering
Specifications Field
Notes/Observations
Definition
General Audience (assume little to know previous experience)
You are not actively considering Secondary, Tertiary, or Gatekeeping readers
I am concerned with Layout, Adherence to Outline, Writing Style, and Thoroughness
Your Purpose
Take MeasurementsCreate or Locate VisualsAsk Subject Matter
ExpertsOr use something you’re
a SME withMake sure research is
written by SMEsUse your senses
Looks, sounds, smells, tastes, textures, colors
Research
1.Title
2. IntroductionDefinition of SubjectPurpose Statement
Main PointImportance of Subject
Overall DescriptionList of Major Parts
3. Major Part/StepDefinition/Purpose of Part
Minor Part
4. Major Part/StepDefinition/Purpose of Part
Minor Part
5. Major Part/StepDefinition/Purpose of Part
Minor Part
6. ConclusionImportant of Subject
Future of SubjectOne Operating Cycle
Outline
1.TitleTitle:
Be Specific and Precise
Description of the Mars Exploration Rover
Specifications for the XC-9000 Microprocessor
The Wii Remote: An Inside Look at the Controller
When in doubt: Technical Description of __________
• Top of Page• Bolded or sized to provide
emphasis• Sans-Serif font preferred
2. IntroductionDefinition of SubjectPurpose Statement
Main PointImportance of Subject
Overall DescriptionList of Major Parts
Definition of Subject: (the first sentence of you document)
• Term• Class• Characteristics that distinguish
from other class members
The Hamilton Beach Big Mouth E-Cigarette is an electronic smoking device that uses an atomizer to vaporize glycerin-based oil to produce a flavorful smoke. “The Wii Remote is a video game
controller that uses an optical sensor and acclerometer to allow interaction with and manipulation of objects on screen through pointing and tilting gestures.”
2. IntroductionDefinition of SubjectPurpose Statement
Main PointImportance of Subject
Overall DescriptionList of Major Parts
Purpose Statement:
Dependent on situation. It should explain that you are describing something, but also linked to something larger.
“This description will detail the parts of this E-cigarette that contribute to understanding the vaping process.”
“This description will highlight the unique aspects of the Wii remote by focusing on the motion and sensory technology that creates new styles of gameplay.”
2. IntroductionDefinition of SubjectPurpose Statement
Main PointImportance of Subject
Overall DescriptionList of Major Parts
Main Point: what will your description support or prove?
“E-Cigarettes use this technology to offer a safer alternative to smoking burning tobacco.”
“Upon its introduction, the Wii Remote was a revolutionary way to interact with video games.”
Importance of Subject: why should anyone care to get to know the item In this detail?
“A user who understands the function of each part, and how to maintain their cleanliness, will be in a better position to get the most life out of their purchase.”
“Understanding how the Wii Remote works illustrates the inspiration it provided for subsequent game console innovations.”
2. IntroductionDefinition of SubjectPurpose Statement
Main PointImportance of Subject
Overall DescriptionList of Major Parts
Overall Description: A visual description of the entire object. Pretend you’re describing it to a blind person.
“The Hamilton Beach Big Mouth E-Cigarette consists of a long cylindrical battery (available in multiple colors) with a rotating disk at its bottom to change voltage settings. A transparent, cylindrical tank screws into the top of the battery and has a rotating ring with an air hole that selects air intake settings. The tank is topped with a tapered mouthpiece with a hole at its end where the water vapor is inhaled.”
“The Wii Remote is a rectangular device that fits easily in one hand. It has three buttons on its face and a trigger on its underside. The light sensor sits at the front of the controller while the bottom has an input for the separate nunchuk controller.”
List of Major Parts:
This is where you’ll preview the main headings coming up in the next sections.
The Hamilton Beach Big Mouth E-Cigarette is an electronic smoking device that uses an atomizer to vaporize glycerin-based oil to produce a flavorful smoke. This description will detail the parts of this E-cigarette that contribute to understanding the vaping process. E-Cigarettes use this technology to offer a safer alternative to smoking burning tobacco. A user who understands the function of each part, and how to maintain their cleanliness, will be in a better position to get the most life out of their purchase. The Hamilton Beach Big Mouth E-Cigarette consists of a long cylindrical battery (available in multiple colors) with a rotating disk at its bottom to change voltage settings. A transparent, cylindrical tank screws into the top of the battery and has a rotating ring with an air hole that selects air intake settings. The tank is topped with a tapered mouthpiece with a hole at its end where the water vapor is inhaled.
The parts discussed in this document are:
- Battery- Atomizer- Fluid Tank-Mouthpiece
From one direction to another (a pencil)
From the inside out (a video game controller)
From top to bottom (a lamp)
Partitioning the Subject- and
discussing in a logical order
6. ConclusionImportant of Subject
Future of SubjectOne Operating Cycle
Conclusion:
Keep it:• Short• Concise
• Remind reader of importance• Look to the future of this
product or process
Some technical descriptions have no conclusion- they end after the final part. Yours should have one.
Use simple words/avoid jargon
Focus on “need to know” details
Keep sentences short (breathing length)
Do not use “I” Use bolding and bullets
rhetorically Remove qualifier words
(“very,” easy,” “hard,” “amazing”)
Remove subjective/relevant words (“large,” “small,” “near”
Think about color, texture, taste, sound, smell, placement, connections, etc.
Notes on Style
The jaw is shaped similar to an hourglass, though less pronounced in its curvature, with each side of the plates curving in near the center of the plates’ length .
Metaphors
What materials is it made out of (be specific)?What are the dimensions?What is its shape?What is its color(s)?What is that part’s function? Is the part connected to something else? How?Does it move? How? Why?
Descriptive Sections
Left & Right Click Covers
Scroll WheelCasingCordPlug (USB or PS/2)Optical Sensor
Know Your Part Names
Scroll Wheel
The scroll wheel is a small wheel overlaid with rubber (or a similar low friction material) that is ‐located between the right and ‐left click covers and that ‐ connects to the internal circuit board though a system of gears. The wheel is positioned so it can be easily turned by one finger while the mouse is being operated. The wheel also allows the user to navigate up and down in a user interface window.
Research your parts
Lead RodWooden BarrelEraser Ferrule
What questions might we start asking ourselves about these parts?
Parts of the Pencil
The pencil is a writing instrument that uses erasable lead rods to draw or write text, images, and symbols on mediums such as paper and wood. The pencil is commonly used for drawing pictures and writing text on paper.
Even “Simple” Items Need a
Detailed Opening Line
Which are Needed?