DESCRIPTION OF A

MECHANISM

SUBMITTED BY:
VA L E N Z U E L A , E I L E E N M A E D. S U B M I T T E D TO :
R A A D A , M A RY G R A C E R . P R O F. L H Y N G . J U S I
R E C I D E , J OY C E A N N N .
DESCRIPTION
What is Description?
Description is a technical writing technique that uses words and
visuals to create a picture of a mechanism or a product.

People looking for reviews typically want detailed description of the object.
Relying on the power of words, the description must appeal to your readers
senses to make them visualize a product or a mechanism in the same way as a
technical writer imagine it.
MECHANISM
To understand further about description of a mechanism, a technical writer
needs to know what is a mechanism?
Mechanism is often described in technical writing. It is defined as any
object that has a with assembled parts that function in an organized way. Most
often the term suggests tools, instruments and a machine.
Examples of a mechanism are: scissors, calculators, computers, vacuum
cleaners, lawn mowers, electric fans, washing machine, compact disc players and
many more.
INTRODUCTION 1.1
This is the first paragraph that begin with a formal or one-sentence logical
definition of the device. Introduction should first state the purpose and the
scope of the document. For example: The purpose of this document is to
know the function of a ball pen.

Second, take the option of making several expanded types of definition like
etymology, history, and elimination follow the formal definition. For example:
In late 19th century, John J. Loud, who was attempting how to make a writing
instrument that would be able to write on any rough surfaces, invented a ball
pen.
INTRODUCTION 1.2

Appearance
After defining the mechanism in several ways, answer the
question, What does it look like? or give the overall picture that has something
to do with its quantifiable, sensory, and spatial characteristics. For example:
Ballpen can be made out of plastic or metal. Plastic have become the most used
kind of ballpen because it have the advantage of being lightweight and
inexpensive. The ballpoint of the ballpen is made of brass. The ink comes with
different kinds of colours, black, blue, red and many more.
INTRODUCTION 1.3
Comparing features or parts with other things that are familiar to your audience.
By doing this, you enable your readers to have a chance of getting a clearer image
of the mechanism as they link or associate this with other objects they are familiar
with. For example: Ballpen is like a pencil because they both serve one purpose
and that is to write.

The final part of the introductory paragraph enumerates all the major or principal
parts of the mechanism which the succeeding paragraphs ought to describe part-
by-part.
PART-BY-PART 2.1
After the introduction and the mechanism logically divided into parts, the description of the
first part follows.
First Major Part
1. Formal Definition
2. Extended definition
3. General appearance (size, shape, color, height dimensions, textures, among others)
4. Enumeration of the sub part
(Each sub-part is likewise given the same order of the description as in steps 1-4)
PART-BY-PART 2.2

The mechanism as a whole is progressively broken down into smaller and

smaller units until common sense says it is time to stop. Then, each of these
units is described in detail.

The important thing is to decide what information the reader needs, and to
provide it as clearly as possible.
CONCLUSION 3.1

The Conclusion mentions some special characteristics, pluses/minuses,

limitations, and strategies for the care or upkeep of the device.

It is enough that it either mentions two or three basic operating principles or

highlight one of the essential features or principles governing the existence of
the mechanism.
GUIDELINES FOR TECHNICAL
DESCRIPTION: (1)
1. Start by describing the mechanism by presenting an entire view of the object.
2. Show the relationship of the components of the mechanism by putting each
part under a category.
3. Describe each element of a bigger part in this manner:
a) Stress the distinguishing feature or property of each subpart
b) Probe or conduct a thorough examination on every observable constituent
element od a subpart.
GUIDELINES FOR TECHNICAL
DESCRIPTION: (2)
d) Emphasize what a particular part or subpart does for the whole mechanism,
rather than what it is in relation to the device.
e) Help the reader form a clear image of the subject by using concrete, specific,
and informative language that is capable of activating the readers five senses.
f) Be objective. Focus on your sensory experience about the subject.
g) Point out significant things about the subject clearly by using graphics and
other visual aids.
REFLECTION: (1)

What we learned in this topic is to know your audience, provide whatever level of
detail your reader requires.
Children may require an extremely detailed description of a simple object or a toy for
their safety.
Also, we learned that a technical writer must be objective in making an essay or a
study.
It means that a technical writer must not be influenced by a personal feelings or
opinions and they are not required to persuade the reader that the object is
wonderful. But do mention the details, let the readers judge the value for themselves.
REFLECTION: (2)
We learned that technical writer need to have a background check about your
audience or readers so you can easily fit your writing styles to your audiences
interest, needs, mentality, likes or dislikes.
Lastly, we must understand first the mechanism, what they do, what they look
like, what parts they have and how these parts work together in order to give
the audience the visual or mental pictures of a mechanism. In other words,
technical writer must know how to analyze the function, appearance and
operation of an object is what you going to focus on.
END OF SLIDE