A presentation on Technical Description prepared by Nikhil Joshi

1. Technical Description By Nikhil Joshi Lecturer in ‘Language & Communication Skills’ IT Dept.-GCET E-mail: nikhiljoshi@gcet.ac.in Blog: www.gcet-languageclub.blogspot.com www.nikhiljoshi2007.blogspot.com

2. Introduction Technical description is a key part of any technical report because it defines objects and/or processes. It divides a complex item or topic into more manageable components. It defines, describes and illustrates the various elements contained within the whole object, process or concept.

3. Technical descriptions generates… Naming Defining Describing Illustrating

4. It follows 3 steps… 1-a definition followed by a list of the major components to be discussed and an illustration. 2-A section for each of the major components listed which define the component in terms of function and then describe the components in terms of material, dimension, texture, relation to other components, the method of attachment and it lists all sub-components which will also follow the ‘design-describe & illustrate’ format. 3-A description of one complete cycle of operation, a process description.

5. Guidelines for writing good descriptions: 1-Organization: -Overview (overall framework, arrangement or shape and purpose or function) -Parts (description of each part and it’s role and relation with other parts) -Order Spatial order-top to bottom, outside to inside) Priority order-most to least important Chronological order-order of assembly or disassembly

6. Guidelines for writing good descriptions: 2-Content: -Specifics (include relevant specific features like size, shape, color, technical names and omit confusing background and needless details) -Comparison (compare features and parts with other things which are already familiar) -Contrast (contrast the property with that of others to reveal the significance)

7. Guidelines for writing good descriptions: 3-Structure: -Format (headings, listing, using figures and text with labels and references ) -Verbal Cues ( parallelism: using parallel words and phrases for parallel ideas. ( proleptics: use verbal links like ‘also’, ‘but’, however’ etc. to signal how your description fits together.)

8. T h a n k y o u … n IKHIL j OSHI e-mail: [email_address] [email_address] My Websites: www.nikhiljoshi.co.in www.nikhiljoshi2007.blogspot.com www.gcet-languageclub.blogspot.com