basic techniques in technical writing

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BASIC TECHNIQUES IN TECHNICAL WRITING

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BASIC TECHNIQUES IN TECHNICAL WRITING

DEFINITION

is the precise statement of the essential meaning of a particular term

gives the meaning of a certain term

classified as informal and formal

 Informal Definition comes in the form of a word or a

phrase oftentimes called a synonym

this is usually an adequate explanation of the unfamiliar

EXAMPLE:◦ The odd results of the experiment

perplexed the scientist. (puzzled)◦ The two streets intersect at the edge of

the town. (cross)◦ The engineers have surveyed the site.

(place)

Formal or Sentence definition

is the most precise type of definition

is in the form of a sentence with these three elements/parts

1. Specie(term) – the word or phrase to be defines

2. Genus – is the class or kind to which the term belongs

3. Differentia – that part of the definition which states the distinctive characteristics of the term which distinguish it from

other members of the same class

EXAMPLES Specie Genus DifferentiaA somnambulist is a person who walks while

asleep.A thermometer is an instrument that measures

temperature

Gravity is the unseen force that pulls all bodies to the center of the earth.

Erosion is the wearing away of by such natural agents

rocks and other subs- as water, wind, waves and

tances at the earth’s glaciers.

surface

A somniloquist is a person who talks while asleep.

• **Note that the species, the genus, and the linking verb are singular in form and that the differentia is introduced by a relative pronoun (who, that, which, whose, whom, etc.). The formal definition is described so because it follows the form: species = genus and differentia (S = G + D). The equal sign can be translated to is  or means.

Pointers which must to be followed when formulation formal definition

Define a word in simpler and more familiar term.

Not this: An emulsion is a fluid consisting of a

microscopically heterogeneous mixture of two normally immiscible liquid phases, in which one liquid forms minute droplets suspended in the other liquid.

Good:An emulsion is a fluid consisting of a two

microscopically different liquids which are insoluble with each other, where-in one liquid forms very tiny droplets suspended in the other liquid.

Practise grammatical parallelism when defining a term. Avoid defining with, “is when” “ is where” and “is what”

Not this:

Sublimation is when a solid substance is transformed directly into a gas without transition through a noticeable liquid state.

Good:

Sublimation is the transformation of a solid substance into a gas without transition through a noticeable liquid state, e.g., dry ice, naphthalene.

Not this:

To oscillate is moving in a regular manner from side to side or back and forth.

Good:

To oscillate is to move in a regular manner from side to side or back and forth.

Avoid a circular definition which means the explanation of term using the word itself or any of its derivatives.

Note this:Engineering is the art and science

taken up by persons to become engineers.Good:

Engineering is the professional art of directing the great sources of power in nature (matter and energy) for the benefit of man.

Don’t put the term being defined in too broad or too narrow a class.

Too Broad:

A rifle is a weapon......( knives, ice picks, swords, etc. Are also weapons)

Too Narrow:

A rifle is a gun..........( pistols, revolvers, etc. Are also guns)

Good:

A rifle is a firearm with spiral grooves inside its barrel to impact a rotary motion to its projectile or bullet and thus render its flight more accurate.

Extended Definitioncomes in the form of additional

sentences that support a formal definition which becomes the topic sentence of a paragraph with definition as method of development.

Extended Definition is done in any of the following ways: Function  –  use of the thing defined Location  –   placement/position of the thing defined Physical description  –  physical traits (color, size, shape, etc.)

of the thing define Further definition  –  definition of words in the formal definition

of the thing defined Causation –  causes or effects of the thing defined Comparison  –   similarities of the thing defined with another

thing; Contrast  –   differences of the thing defined from another thing Exemplification  –   concrete examples of the thing defined Etymology/word derivation –  words from which the thing

defined was derived  Analysis  –  parts of the thing defined Basic principle  –   law or principle governing the thing defined Negation  –  negative statements about the thing defined

Write a one-sentence definition of the following:

FlowerHeartCellphone

ASSIGNMENY: ½ crosswiseWrite a one-sentence definition of any three the following:

CalculatorThermostatHerbicideAntibioticOsmosisInductanceAnesthesiaDiode

2. DESCRIPTIONis a way of writing about the way

things appear, the way they are constructed and the way they act

2 types: Description of Mechanism Process description

Description of Mechanism

deals with the physical nature of whatever is being discussed, the purpose of the device and how its parts works separately and with one another and with the whole

3 Divissions: Introduction Part by Part Description Conclusion of the Description

1. Introduction3 information:

a. what it isb. what its purpose isc. what it looks like

2. Part-by-Part DescriptionDescribe in detail paying

attention to the following aspects:

      Shape      Size

Relationship to other partsMethods of attachmentMaterialFinish

3. Conclusionlet the reader know how it works,

or how it is used.Emphasis is on the action of the

parts in relation to one another. Usually highly condensed.

 Description of a Processdeals with processes and

procedures and is characterized by the detailing of a series of steps

3 Steps:1. Introduction2. Organization3. Conclusion

1. Introduction“What are you doing?”

- what is this process?- who performs this process?- why is this process performed?- what are the chief steps in this process?- from what point of view is this process going to be considered in this discussion?- why is this process being described?

“How do you do it?”

2. Organization

- Introduction to a description of a process is followed directly by a description of the chief steps in the process.

- Follow chronological order or the order of the performance of the steps.

3. Conclusion- May include:

a. Fixing the chief steps in mind (listing them again might help).

b. Recalling special points about equipment or materials.

c. Analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the process.

d. Noting how this process is related to other processes, or other

work that is being done, or reported on.

4.  CLASSIFICATIONthe act of locating a specimen of

all the different kinds of objects which possess a given characteristic/s.

Is a useful expository technique when you have a number of like things to discuss among which there are points of similarity and difference which it is important for the reader to understand.

Rules to Follow in Presenting a Classification:

 Make clear what is being classified. – definition of the subject

Choose (and state) a significant, useful basis, or guiding principle, for the classification. – according to use, to color, to structure, etc.

Limit yourself to one basis at a time in listing members of a class.

Name all the species according to a given basis.Make sure that each species is separate and

distinct.Help your reader understand the distinction

between species. – discuss each species, giving definition, description, or illustration of each.

Make certain that in a subclassification, you discuss characteristics peculiar to that one subclassification only.