Overview
Technical professionals are often required to define or describe a technical object, concept or process to someone who has little knowledge or experience with it.
For example, an engineering firm might write a proposal to bid on a contract to develop a helicopter for the Defense Department; one section of the proposal would be a detailed description of the product the company proposes to develop.
Technical descriptions are used before products and processes are developed (as part of proposals and planning documents), during development (in progress reports, for instance), and afterwards (as part of marketing and promotional literature and technical support documents).
Choosing a Topic
This assignment asks you to select a product or process and write a description of it. There are two different kinds of descriptions to consider. Choose whichever one is appropriate, depending on your topic.
Note: It is a good idea to select something with which you are already familiar, so you can focus on learning how to write the description rather than focusing on both learning how to write the description and learning about the product or process!
A product description explains the features of a specific device, like a scientific instrument or computer program. Possible topics include devices that are specific to your field, or devices you use in everyday life:
Manual grass clippers
Fuel cell
Battery
Catalytic converter
Manual can opener
Your favorite computer or video game
A specific car model
A process description explains how a complex event occurs, including a mechanical process (i.e. how donuts are made) or a natural event (i.e. how lightning is produced). You can choose a process that is specific to your field, or one that people may be curious about:
How a specific drug works
How steel is made
How fuel cells work
How a computer compiles and executes a program
How your microwave works
How food products are irradiated
Note: A product or process description is not an instruction set. An instruction set provides steps a user would take in order to complete a task (for example, steps to change oil in a car). In contrast, product and process descriptions describe how something works (for example, how oil functions to cool an engine). The contrast is between how to use something and how that thing works (e.g., how to use a microwave versus how the microwave heats food). For this assignment, you should focus on how things work, not how to use them. The next assignment will ask you to focus on instructions.
Specific Requirements
Audience and Purpose
Select an audience that would be interested in learning about the process or product you explain. For example, you could assume an audience of students reading about your topic in a textbook. You could write a marketing document to persuade people to buy a product. Or, you could write a description that would be part of a proposal being sent to a potential client. In the assignment you should assume that the description is crucial to the work of your audience.
Note: In all cases, your designated audience should know significantly less about your topic than you do. You will be expected to describe clearly and define all terms.
Gathering Information
Take time to learn all you can about the product or process you select, even if you are already familiar with it. Read background information or otherwise inform yourself about the topic. List any sources in either a Works Cited or a Works Consulted section.
Contents/Organization
We will follow the textbook’s four principles of writing descriptions:
Clearly indicate the nature and scope of your description. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to write an informative and specific title. Another might be to explicitly state the nature and scope in your introduction, if appropriate. It should not take long for the reader to understand the purpose and audience for your document.
Include an introduction to your product/process. Most instructions are general—give your reader a broad overview of your topic. Include a sentence (or longer) definition. Many introductions also include a visual.
Provide appropriate detail. This will be the “body” of your description. For products, describe each part in detail, including dimensions, materials, functions and relation to other parts. For processes, describe each step in detail. In either case, remember to make all language/discourse choices based on the audience’s level of interest, experience, and knowledge about the topic.
Write a conclusion. A conclusion will summarize the description. Often a conclusion will describe how all the previously described parts work together. You may also remind your audience how this product or process will ultimately help your audience solve a problem (or enrich their lives!).
Format
Include design features to help the reader locate information and understand the product or process better: diagrams, headings, bulleted/numbered lists and other technical communication conventions you have learned about. Include a cover page, which identifies the title, the writer, the audience, and the date. The final paper should be at least 1000 words and should be single-spaced.
Visuals
You have two options here. First, you can develop your own visuals or you can use a “reference visual,” which is a copy of a published image. If you use a published image, be sure to cite the source and discuss and modifications that image needs to fit your context. (For
example, if you’re describing how a snowblower engine works, you might use an image from the manufacturer’s website rather than drawing your own.)
Evaluation Criteria
I will evaluate the assignment according to these expectations:
Completeness
The description is complete (includes all the information requested). Additionally, the description follows Markel’s four principles for writing descriptions. The description is clear and substantial. The description provides comprehensive, specific, and precise detail. The sentence definition effectively begins the definition, and the visual enhances the description.
Format/Organization
Readers will be able to find the information they need. Design features enhance readability and accessibility. Paragraphs utilize effective topic sentences and are relatively short (125 words or fewer).
Style
The description gives specific information in efficient sentences.
Audience Adaptation
The description clearly addresses a specific audience, and it helps the audience understand the product or process.
Mechanics
Spelling grammar, and punctuation are correct.
Deadlines
Peer Review Workshop: Thursday, 10/21
Final Draft: Tuesday, 10/26
This assignment is worth 15% of your final grade.
Streit 1
Assignment # 3: Technical Definition and Description Overview Technical professionals are often
Assignment # 3: Technical Definition and Description
Overview
Technical professionals are often required to define or describe a technical object, concept or process to someone who has little knowledge or experience with it.
For example, an engineering firm might write a proposal to bid on a contract to develop a helicopter for the Defense Department; one section of the proposal would be a detailed description of the product the company proposes to develop.
Technical descriptions are used before products and processes are developed (as part of proposals and planning documents), during development (in progress reports, for instance), and afterwards (as part of marketing and promotional literature and technical support documents).
Choosing a Topic
This assignment asks you to select a product or process and write a description of it. There are two different kinds of descriptions to consider. Choose whichever one is appropriate, depending on your topic.
Note: It is a good idea to select something with which you are already familiar, so you can focus on learning how to write the description rather than focusing on both learning how to write the description and learning about the product or process!
A product description explains the features of a specific device, like a scientific instrument or computer program. Possible topics include devices that are specific to your field, or devices you use in everyday life:
Manual grass clippers
Fuel cell
Battery
Catalytic converter
Manual can opener
Your favorite computer or video game
A specific car model
A process description explains how a complex event occurs, including a mechanical process (i.e. how donuts are made) or a natural event (i.e. how lightning is produced). You can choose a process that is specific to your field, or one that people may be curious about:
How a specific drug works
How steel is made
How fuel cells work
How a computer compiles and executes a program
How your microwave works
How food products are irradiated
Note: A product or process description is not an instruction set. An instruction set provides steps a user would take in order to complete a task (for example, steps to change oil in a car). In contrast, product and process descriptions describe how something works (for example, how oil functions to cool an engine). The contrast is between how to use something and how that thing works (e.g., how to use a microwave versus how the microwave heats food). For this assignment, you should focus on how things work, not how to use them. The next assignment will ask you to focus on instructions.
Specific Requirements
Audience and Purpose
Select an audience that would be interested in learning about the process or product you explain. For example, you could assume an audience of students reading about your topic in a textbook. You could write a marketing document to persuade people to buy a product. Or, you could write a description that would be part of a proposal being sent to a potential client. In the assignment you should assume that the description is crucial to the work of your audience.
Note: In all cases, your designated audience should know significantly less about your topic than you do. You will be expected to describe clearly and define all terms.
Gathering Information
Take time to learn all you can about the product or process you select, even if you are already familiar with it. Read background information or otherwise inform yourself about the topic. List any sources in either a Works Cited or a Works Consulted section.
Contents/Organization
We will follow the textbook’s four principles of writing descriptions:
Clearly indicate the nature and scope of your description. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to write an informative and specific title. Another might be to explicitly state the nature and scope in your introduction, if appropriate. It should not take long for the reader to understand the purpose and audience for your document.
Include an introduction to your product/process. Most instructions are general—give your reader a broad overview of your topic. Include a sentence (or longer) definition. Many introductions also include a visual.
Provide appropriate detail. This will be the “body” of your description. For products, describe each part in detail, including dimensions, materials, functions and relation to other parts. For processes, describe each step in detail. In either case, remember to make all language/discourse choices based on the audience’s level of interest, experience, and knowledge about the topic.
Write a conclusion. A conclusion will summarize the description. Often a conclusion will describe how all the previously described parts work together. You may also remind your audience how this product or process will ultimately help your audience solve a problem (or enrich their lives!).
Format
Include design features to help the reader locate information and understand the product or process better: diagrams, headings, bulleted/numbered lists and other technical communication conventions you have learned about. Include a cover page, which identifies the title, the writer, the audience, and the date. The final paper should be at least 1000 words and should be single-spaced.
Visuals
You have two options here. First, you can develop your own visuals or you can use a “reference visual,” which is a copy of a published image. If you use a published image, be sure to cite the source and discuss and modifications that image needs to fit your context. (For
example, if you’re describing how a snowblower engine works, you might use an image from the manufacturer’s website rather than drawing your own.)
Evaluation Criteria
I will evaluate the assignment according to these expectations:
Completeness
The description is complete (includes all the information requested). Additionally, the description follows Markel’s four principles for writing descriptions. The description is clear and substantial. The description provides comprehensive, specific, and precise detail. The sentence definition effectively begins the definition, and the visual enhances the description.
Format/Organization
Readers will be able to find the information they need. Design features enhance readability and accessibility. Paragraphs utilize effective topic sentences and are relatively short (125 words or fewer).
Style
The description gives specific information in efficient sentences.
Audience Adaptation
The description clearly addresses a specific audience, and it helps the audience understand the product or process.
Mechanics
Spelling grammar, and punctuation are correct.
Deadlines
Peer Review Workshop: Thursday, 10/21
Final Draft: Tuesday, 10/26
This assignment is worth 15% of your final grade.
Streit 1
Assignment # 3: Technical Definition and Description Overview Technical professionals are often
Assignment # 3: Technical Definition and Description
Overview
Technical professionals are often required to define or describe a technical object, concept or process to someone who has little knowledge or experience with it.
For example, an engineering firm might write a proposal to bid on a contract to develop a helicopter for the Defense Department; one section of the proposal would be a detailed description of the product the company proposes to develop.
Technical descriptions are used before products and processes are developed (as part of proposals and planning documents), during development (in progress reports, for instance), and afterwards (as part of marketing and promotional literature and technical support documents).
Choosing a Topic
This assignment asks you to select a product or process and write a description of it. There are two different kinds of descriptions to consider. Choose whichever one is appropriate, depending on your topic.
Note: It is a good idea to select something with which you are already familiar, so you can focus on learning how to write the description rather than focusing on both learning how to write the description and learning about the product or process!
A product description explains the features of a specific device, like a scientific instrument or computer program. Possible topics include devices that are specific to your field, or devices you use in everyday life:
Manual grass clippers
Fuel cell
Battery
Catalytic converter
Manual can opener
Your favorite computer or video game
A specific car model
A process description explains how a complex event occurs, including a mechanical process (i.e. how donuts are made) or a natural event (i.e. how lightning is produced). You can choose a process that is specific to your field, or one that people may be curious about:
How a specific drug works
How steel is made
How fuel cells work
How a computer compiles and executes a program
How your microwave works
How food products are irradiated
Note: A product or process description is not an instruction set. An instruction set provides steps a user would take in order to complete a task (for example, steps to change oil in a car). In contrast, product and process descriptions describe how something works (for example, how oil functions to cool an engine). The contrast is between how to use something and how that thing works (e.g., how to use a microwave versus how the microwave heats food). For this assignment, you should focus on how things work, not how to use them. The next assignment will ask you to focus on instructions.
Specific Requirements
Audience and Purpose
Select an audience that would be interested in learning about the process or product you explain. For example, you could assume an audience of students reading about your topic in a textbook. You could write a marketing document to persuade people to buy a product. Or, you could write a description that would be part of a proposal being sent to a potential client. In the assignment you should assume that the description is crucial to the work of your audience.
Note: In all cases, your designated audience should know significantly less about your topic than you do. You will be expected to describe clearly and define all terms.
Gathering Information
Take time to learn all you can about the product or process you select, even if you are already familiar with it. Read background information or otherwise inform yourself about the topic. List any sources in either a Works Cited or a Works Consulted section.
Contents/Organization
We will follow the textbook’s four principles of writing descriptions:
Clearly indicate the nature and scope of your description. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to write an informative and specific title. Another might be to explicitly state the nature and scope in your introduction, if appropriate. It should not take long for the reader to understand the purpose and audience for your document.
Include an introduction to your product/process. Most instructions are general—give your reader a broad overview of your topic. Include a sentence (or longer) definition. Many introductions also include a visual.
Provide appropriate detail. This will be the “body” of your description. For products, describe each part in detail, including dimensions, materials, functions and relation to other parts. For processes, describe each step in detail. In either case, remember to make all language/discourse choices based on the audience’s level of interest, experience, and knowledge about the topic.
Write a conclusion. A conclusion will summarize the description. Often a conclusion will describe how all the previously described parts work together. You may also remind your audience how this product or process will ultimately help your audience solve a problem (or enrich their lives!).
Format
Include design features to help the reader locate information and understand the product or process better: diagrams, headings, bulleted/numbered lists and other technical communication conventions you have learned about. Include a cover page, which identifies the title, the writer, the audience, and the date. The final paper should be at least 1000 words and should be single-spaced.
Visuals
You have two options here. First, you can develop your own visuals or you can use a “reference visual,” which is a copy of a published image. If you use a published image, be sure to cite the source and discuss and modifications that image needs to fit your context. (For
example, if you’re describing how a snowblower engine works, you might use an image from the manufacturer’s website rather than drawing your own.)
Evaluation Criteria
I will evaluate the assignment according to these expectations:
Completeness
The description is complete (includes all the information requested). Additionally, the description follows Markel’s four principles for writing descriptions. The description is clear and substantial. The description provides comprehensive, specific, and precise detail. The sentence definition effectively begins the definition, and the visual enhances the description.
Format/Organization
Readers will be able to find the information they need. Design features enhance readability and accessibility. Paragraphs utilize effective topic sentences and are relatively short (125 words or fewer).
Style
The description gives specific information in efficient sentences.
Audience Adaptation
The description clearly addresses a specific audience, and it helps the audience understand the product or process.
Mechanics
Spelling grammar, and punctuation are correct.
Deadlines
Peer Review Workshop: Thursday, 10/21
Final Draft: Tuesday, 10/26
This assignment is worth 15% of your final grade.
Streit 1
Assignment # 3: Technical Definition and Description Overview Technical professionals are often
Writing Assignment Help Assignment # 3: Technical Definition and Description
Overview
Technical professionals are often required to define or describe a technical object, concept or process to someone who has little knowledge or experience with it.
For example, an engineering firm might write a proposal to bid on a contract to develop a helicopter for the Defense Department; one section of the proposal would be a detailed description of the product the company proposes to develop.
Technical descriptions are used before products and processes are developed (as part of proposals and planning documents), during development (in progress reports, for instance), and afterwards (as part of marketing and promotional literature and technical support documents).
Choosing a Topic
This assignment asks you to select a product or process and write a description of it. There are two different kinds of descriptions to consider. Choose whichever one is appropriate, depending on your topic.
Note: It is a good idea to select something with which you are already familiar, so you can focus on learning how to write the description rather than focusing on both learning how to write the description and learning about the product or process!
A product description explains the features of a specific device, like a scientific instrument or computer program. Possible topics include devices that are specific to your field, or devices you use in everyday life:
Manual grass clippers
Fuel cell
Battery
Catalytic converter
Manual can opener
Your favorite computer or video game
A specific car model
A process description explains how a complex event occurs, including a mechanical process (i.e. how donuts are made) or a natural event (i.e. how lightning is produced). You can choose a process that is specific to your field, or one that people may be curious about:
How a specific drug works
How steel is made
How fuel cells work
How a computer compiles and executes a program
How your microwave works
How food products are irradiated
Note: A product or process description is not an instruction set. An instruction set provides steps a user would take in order to complete a task (for example, steps to change oil in a car). In contrast, product and process descriptions describe how something works (for example, how oil functions to cool an engine). The contrast is between how to use something and how that thing works (e.g., how to use a microwave versus how the microwave heats food). For this assignment, you should focus on how things work, not how to use them. The next assignment will ask you to focus on instructions.
Specific Requirements
Audience and Purpose
Select an audience that would be interested in learning about the process or product you explain. For example, you could assume an audience of students reading about your topic in a textbook. You could write a marketing document to persuade people to buy a product. Or, you could write a description that would be part of a proposal being sent to a potential client. In the assignment you should assume that the description is crucial to the work of your audience.
Note: In all cases, your designated audience should know significantly less about your topic than you do. You will be expected to describe clearly and define all terms.
Gathering Information
Take time to learn all you can about the product or process you select, even if you are already familiar with it. Read background information or otherwise inform yourself about the topic. List any sources in either a Works Cited or a Works Consulted section.
Contents/Organization
We will follow the textbook’s four principles of writing descriptions:
Clearly indicate the nature and scope of your description. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to write an informative and specific title. Another might be to explicitly state the nature and scope in your introduction, if appropriate. It should not take long for the reader to understand the purpose and audience for your document.
Include an introduction to your product/process. Most instructions are general—give your reader a broad overview of your topic. Include a sentence (or longer) definition. Many introductions also include a visual.
Provide appropriate detail. This will be the “body” of your description. For products, describe each part in detail, including dimensions, materials, functions and relation to other parts. For processes, describe each step in detail. In either case, remember to make all language/discourse choices based on the audience’s level of interest, experience, and knowledge about the topic.
Write a conclusion. A conclusion will summarize the description. Often a conclusion will describe how all the previously described parts work together. You may also remind your audience how this product or process will ultimately help your audience solve a problem (or enrich their lives!).
Format
Include design features to help the reader locate information and understand the product or process better: diagrams, headings, bulleted/numbered lists and other technical communication conventions you have learned about. Include a cover page, which identifies the title, the writer, the audience, and the date. The final paper should be at least 1000 words and should be single-spaced.
Visuals
You have two options here. First, you can develop your own visuals or you can use a “reference visual,” which is a copy of a published image. If you use a published image, be sure to cite the source and discuss and modifications that image needs to fit your context. (For
example, if you’re describing how a snowblower engine works, you might use an image from the manufacturer’s website rather than drawing your own.)
Evaluation Criteria
I will evaluate the assignment according to these expectations:
Completeness
The description is complete (includes all the information requested). Additionally, the description follows Markel’s four principles for writing descriptions. The description is clear and substantial. The description provides comprehensive, specific, and precise detail. The sentence definition effectively begins the definition, and the visual enhances the description.
Format/Organization
Readers will be able to find the information they need. Design features enhance readability and accessibility. Paragraphs utilize effective topic sentences and are relatively short (125 words or fewer).
Style
The description gives specific information in efficient sentences.
Audience Adaptation
The description clearly addresses a specific audience, and it helps the audience understand the product or process.
Mechanics
Spelling grammar, and punctuation are correct.
Deadlines
Peer Review Workshop: Thursday, 10/21
Final Draft: Tuesday, 10/26
This assignment is worth 15% of your final grade.
Assignment # 3: Technical Definition and Description Overview Technical professionals are often
Assignment # 3: Technical Definition and Description
Overview
Technical professionals are often required to define or describe a technical object, concept or process to someone who has little knowledge or experience with it.
For example, an engineering firm might write a proposal to bid on a contract to develop a helicopter for the Defense Department; one section of the proposal would be a detailed description of the product the company proposes to develop.
Technical descriptions are used before products and processes are developed (as part of proposals and planning documents), during development (in progress reports, for instance), and afterwards (as part of marketing and promotional literature and technical support documents).
Choosing a Topic
This assignment asks you to select a product or process and write a description of it. There are two different kinds of descriptions to consider. Choose whichever one is appropriate, depending on your topic.
Note: It is a good idea to select something with which you are already familiar, so you can focus on learning how to write the description rather than focusing on both learning how to write the description and learning about the product or process!
A product description explains the features of a specific device, like a scientific instrument or computer program. Possible topics include devices that are specific to your field, or devices you use in everyday life:
Manual grass clippers
Fuel cell
Battery
Catalytic converter
Manual can opener
Your favorite computer or video game
A specific car model
A process description explains how a complex event occurs, including a mechanical process (i.e. how donuts are made) or a natural event (i.e. how lightning is produced). You can choose a process that is specific to your field, or one that people may be curious about:
How a specific drug works
How steel is made
How fuel cells work
How a computer compiles and executes a program
How your microwave works
How food products are irradiated
Note: A product or process description is not an instruction set. An instruction set provides steps a user would take in order to complete a task (for example, steps to change oil in a car). In contrast, product and process descriptions describe how something works (for example, how oil functions to cool an engine). The contrast is between how to use something and how that thing works (e.g., how to use a microwave versus how the microwave heats food). For this assignment, you should focus on how things work, not how to use them. The next assignment will ask you to focus on instructions.
Specific Requirements
Audience and Purpose
Select an audience that would be interested in learning about the process or product you explain. For example, you could assume an audience of students reading about your topic in a textbook. You could write a marketing document to persuade people to buy a product. Or, you could write a description that would be part of a proposal being sent to a potential client. In the assignment you should assume that the description is crucial to the work of your audience.
Note: In all cases, your designated audience should know significantly less about your topic than you do. You will be expected to describe clearly and define all terms.
Gathering Information
Take time to learn all you can about the product or process you select, even if you are already familiar with it. Read background information or otherwise inform yourself about the topic. List any sources in either a Works Cited or a Works Consulted section.
Contents/Organization
We will follow the textbook’s four principles of writing descriptions:
Clearly indicate the nature and scope of your description. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to write an informative and specific title. Another might be to explicitly state the nature and scope in your introduction, if appropriate. It should not take long for the reader to understand the purpose and audience for your document.
Include an introduction to your product/process. Most instructions are general—give your reader a broad overview of your topic. Include a sentence (or longer) definition. Many introductions also include a visual.
Provide appropriate detail. This will be the “body” of your description. For products, describe each part in detail, including dimensions, materials, functions and relation to other parts. For processes, describe each step in detail. In either case, remember to make all language/discourse choices based on the audience’s level of interest, experience, and knowledge about the topic.
Write a conclusion. A conclusion will summarize the description. Often a conclusion will describe how all the previously described parts work together. You may also remind your audience how this product or process will ultimately help your audience solve a problem (or enrich their lives!).
Format
Include design features to help the reader locate information and understand the product or process better: diagrams, headings, bulleted/numbered lists and other technical communication conventions you have learned about. Include a cover page, which identifies the title, the writer, the audience, and the date. The final paper should be at least 1000 words and should be single-spaced.
Visuals
You have two options here. First, you can develop your own visuals or you can use a “reference visual,” which is a copy of a published image. If you use a published image, be sure to cite the source and discuss and modifications that image needs to fit your context. (For
example, if you’re describing how a snowblower engine works, you might use an image from the manufacturer’s website rather than drawing your own.)
Evaluation Criteria
I will evaluate the assignment according to these expectations:
Completeness
The description is complete (includes all the information requested). Additionally, the description follows Markel’s four principles for writing descriptions. The description is clear and substantial. The description provides comprehensive, specific, and precise detail. The sentence definition effectively begins the definition, and the visual enhances the description.
Format/Organization
Readers will be able to find the information they need. Design features enhance readability and accessibility. Paragraphs utilize effective topic sentences and are relatively short (125 words or fewer).
Style
The description gives specific information in efficient sentences.
Audience Adaptation
The description clearly addresses a specific audience, and it helps the audience understand the product or process.
Mechanics
Spelling grammar, and punctuation are correct.
Deadlines
Peer Review Workshop: Thursday, 10/21
Final Draft: Tuesday, 10/26
This assignment is worth 15% of your final grade.
Streit 1
Assignment # 3: Technical Definition and Description Overview Technical professionals are often
Assignment # 3: Technical Definition and Description
Overview
Technical professionals are often required to define or describe a technical object, concept or process to someone who has little knowledge or experience with it.
For example, an engineering firm might write a proposal to bid on a contract to develop a helicopter for the Defense Department; one section of the proposal would be a detailed description of the product the company proposes to develop.
Technical descriptions are used before products and processes are developed (as part of proposals and planning documents), during development (in progress reports, for instance), and afterwards (as part of marketing and promotional literature and technical support documents).
Choosing a Topic
This assignment asks you to select a product or process and write a description of it. There are two different kinds of descriptions to consider. Choose whichever one is appropriate, depending on your topic.
Note: It is a good idea to select something with which you are already familiar, so you can focus on learning how to write the description rather than focusing on both learning how to write the description and learning about the product or process!
A product description explains the features of a specific device, like a scientific instrument or computer program. Possible topics include devices that are specific to your field, or devices you use in everyday life:
Manual grass clippers
Fuel cell
Battery
Catalytic converter
Manual can opener
Your favorite computer or video game
A specific car model
A process description explains how a complex event occurs, including a mechanical process (i.e. how donuts are made) or a natural event (i.e. how lightning is produced). You can choose a process that is specific to your field, or one that people may be curious about:
How a specific drug works
How steel is made
How fuel cells work
How a computer compiles and executes a program
How your microwave works
How food products are irradiated
Note: A product or process description is not an instruction set. An instruction set provides steps a user would take in order to complete a task (for example, steps to change oil in a car). In contrast, product and process descriptions describe how something works (for example, how oil functions to cool an engine). The contrast is between how to use something and how that thing works (e.g., how to use a microwave versus how the microwave heats food). For this assignment, you should focus on how things work, not how to use them. The next assignment will ask you to focus on instructions.
Specific Requirements
Audience and Purpose
Select an audience that would be interested in learning about the process or product you explain. For example, you could assume an audience of students reading about your topic in a textbook. You could write a marketing document to persuade people to buy a product. Or, you could write a description that would be part of a proposal being sent to a potential client. In the assignment you should assume that the description is crucial to the work of your audience.
Note: In all cases, your designated audience should know significantly less about your topic than you do. You will be expected to describe clearly and define all terms.
Gathering Information
Take time to learn all you can about the product or process you select, even if you are already familiar with it. Read background information or otherwise inform yourself about the topic. List any sources in either a Works Cited or a Works Consulted section.
Contents/Organization
We will follow the textbook’s four principles of writing descriptions:
Clearly indicate the nature and scope of your description. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to write an informative and specific title. Another might be to explicitly state the nature and scope in your introduction, if appropriate. It should not take long for the reader to understand the purpose and audience for your document.
Include an introduction to your product/process. Most instructions are general—give your reader a broad overview of your topic. Include a sentence (or longer) definition. Many introductions also include a visual.
Provide appropriate detail. This will be the “body” of your description. For products, describe each part in detail, including dimensions, materials, functions and relation to other parts. For processes, describe each step in detail. In either case, remember to make all language/discourse choices based on the audience’s level of interest, experience, and knowledge about the topic.
Write a conclusion. A conclusion will summarize the description. Often a conclusion will describe how all the previously described parts work together. You may also remind your audience how this product or process will ultimately help your audience solve a problem (or enrich their lives!).
Format
Include design features to help the reader locate information and understand the product or process better: diagrams, headings, bulleted/numbered lists and other technical communication conventions you have learned about. Include a cover page, which identifies the title, the writer, the audience, and the date. The final paper should be at least 1000 words and should be single-spaced.
Visuals
You have two options here. First, you can develop your own visuals or you can use a “reference visual,” which is a copy of a published image. If you use a published image, be sure to cite the source and discuss and modifications that image needs to fit your context. (For
example, if you’re describing how a snowblower engine works, you might use an image from the manufacturer’s website rather than drawing your own.)
Evaluation Criteria
I will evaluate the assignment according to these expectations:
Completeness
The description is complete (includes all the information requested). Additionally, the description follows Markel’s four principles for writing descriptions. The description is clear and substantial. The description provides comprehensive, specific, and precise detail. The sentence definition effectively begins the definition, and the visual enhances the description.
Format/Organization
Readers will be able to find the information they need. Design features enhance readability and accessibility. Paragraphs utilize effective topic sentences and are relatively short (125 words or fewer).
Style
The description gives specific information in efficient sentences.
Audience Adaptation
The description clearly addresses a specific audience, and it helps the audience understand the product or process.
Mechanics
Spelling grammar, and punctuation are correct.
Deadlines
Peer Review Workshop: Thursday, 10/21
Final Draft: Tuesday, 10/26
This assignment is worth 15% of your final grade.
Streit 1