Technical Description

Purpose

A technical description is a part-by-part description of a mechanism, tool, or piece of

equipment. Science writers use technical descriptions in a variety of documents such as
manuals, procedures, reports, and white papers. Technical descriptions provide users
information about the product’s features and capabilities. This assignment incorporates
the following skills: researching a technology, writing a technical definition, writing a
technical description, writing specifications, using graphics, applying page layout and
design.

You will write a 750 to 1250 word description of a technological artifact, or of a

scientific or technical process, for how stuff works

Process

First, take a look at published "How ... Works" articles on HowStuffWorks.com. Then,
through a close reading of sample articles identify the
§ form of the article
§ the intended audience
§ the style employed
§ the level of technical discourse and jargon, and
§ the use of visual images and hypertext links

Second: Choose a technological artifact or scientific or technical process the web site's
audience will find interesting and with which you are familiar. Again, it could be a product or
mechanism.

The description must be accurate. Therefore, do not pick something too large (such as a
computer) or too small (such as a paper clip). The artifact has to be challenging but
manageable.

Third: Research the technology. Find out what the parts are called and how they work. You
want to use the correct terminology and understand the theory behind how it works. Again,
look to Howstuffworks.com as a source.

Fourth: Write a description of your product. Follow the guidelines we discussed in class. You
may use the template from Howstuffworks.

Begin with an Introduction that

• Defines the technology with a technical definition, adding extensions as needed to deal
with difficult or unfamiliar terms;
• Describes the technology's overall function or purpose; and
• Describes the technology’s overall appearance in terms of the specifications list (Color,
Size, Materials, Shapes, Density, Capacities, Textures, Identifying Markings, Weight,
Make/Model).
For the body, list the technology’s parts in the order in which you plan to describe them. Once
you have listed the parts, you should discuss them in the order in which you listed them.
• Define the first part by describing the part’s overall function or purpose.
• Describe the part’s characteristics using precise measures and descriptors following
the list of specifications above. Also be sure to use figures, diagrams, and photographs
as necessary.
• Finish by transitioning to the next part.

For each remaining part, repeat the pattern of defining, describing, and transitioning
established for the first part.

For you conclusion, briefly summarize the technology's function and re-list the parts
described. Give a sense of finality to the document by stating how the mechanism is useful
and to whom it is useful.

Include the following:

§ Identify and clearly define the artifact
§ Define the purpose - List specifications? Advertise features?
§ At least one graphic with call outs
§ Headings and subheadings
§ Clear, concise writing style
While the originality of your submission is highly valued, you may find articles on the site
cover, to some degree, the same subject in which you are interested. No matter. If the artifact
or process you choose has been described in a previous article, you can offer a unique approach
or perspective not found in the article (e.g., describing more or less fully an aspect of the
technology or the process than the article or adopting a different point of view).

Grading
Length: 750-1250 words.
• Identifies the technology to be described
• Shows evidence of research about the technology
• Defines the purpose - List specifications
• Organizes the information in the best way to a particular audience for a particular
purpose? Should you use graphics
• Contains a title and introduction
• Conforms to good document design

Submission: To the appropriate forum on the wiki. Feel free to embed digital resources that
you create and/or cite.

Citation: Use APA citation