1. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
TECH COM I

2. What is a description A statement or an account to describe something
A meaning of something
A summary of what is being described
E.g: how you describe yourself?
how you describe your life?
how you describe a best friend?

3. ACTIVITY 1: DESCRIBE US…..

6. Examples of description
Scrooge is a cold-hearted man who doesn't care about anything or anyone except for money. Some of the phrases you hear a lot from him is "Bah, Humbug!"
Malaysia is a country which is located at the south east Asia. It is a unique country where three major races with different cultures can live harmoniously under one government.

7. The importance of describing/description
To give a clear picture of what is mentioned
Transferring image of mind to share with others
To give details/ explanation of certain ideas

8. In What point can we describe?
Texture sound
Smell background
Appearance function/features
Location colours
Materials
Taste
Price
Shape

9. Activity: Guess what is being described
Work with a partner. Think of anything and put some description about the thing you have chosen.
Using any of the points listed before, describe your ‘thing’ and ask your friend to guess what is it…

10. TECHNICAL DEFINITION

11. WHAT IS A DEFINITION A STATEMENT
CLEAR, EXACT, CONCISE DESCRIPTION OR EXPLANATION ABOUT THE NATURE OF AN OBJECT.
E.G: A TELEVISION IS AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
BOOKS REFERS TO PRINTED MATERIALS
CONTAINS INFORMATION

12. Which one is Clearer? A tumor is a neoplasm
A tumor is a growth of cells that occurs independently of surrounding tissue, and serves no useful function.

13. A thermometer measures temperature
Basic properties – definition should convey the properties that differentiate it from all others.  
A thermometer measures temperature
A book can be used to write in, to display pictures, and to record financial transactions.

14. TRY TO GIVE A DEFINITION FOR THIS
Word / term
Verb
Class
Differentiating characteristics
Hay is
grass mown and dried for cattle food.
A headache
a continuous pain
in the head.
A volcano
????
A computer

15. ELEMENTS OF DEFINITIONS
PLAIN ENGLISH
(CLEAR BUT SIMPLE USE OF WORDINGS)
BASIC PROPERTIES-
(BASIC FUNCTION)
OBJECTIVITY-
(PUT FACTS NOT OPINION)

16. TASK: write a technical definition of these :
1. kitchen
2. house
3. diabetes
4. malaria
5. lawn mower
6. cigarette

17. EXTENDED DEFINITION

18. What is extended definition?
It involves more than one sentence
It could be written in a paragraph or more, or even an entire essay to clarify the definition
A definition can be extended by adding a defining relative clause

19. What is a relative clause?
Relative clause includes relative pronouns which are:
Who or that for people
When for a period of time
Where for a place or a location
That or which for things

20. WAYS TO EXTEND A DEFINITION
Etymology or Derivation
- Refers to the origin of the word, its multiple meanings, and the way the word is used in present time
E.g.: Alcohol originated from the Arabic word al-kuhul, which means a colourless, flammable, and pungent liquid. Alcohol today can be burned as fuel and is commonly found in whiskey, wine and beer.

21. WAYS TO EXTEND A DEFINITION
Classification
Defines a word into different categories and explains each categories in detail.
Example:
Term – Elephant
Classification – Mammal
Basis for Division – i) Asiatic (ii) African
Detailed characteristics of each division –
i) physical characteristics,
(ii) location (iii) uses

22. WAYS TO EXTEND A DEFINITION
Use of analogies
The way the animal heart pumps blood throughout the body is like the way water pump works to pump water into the water pipes.

23. WAYS TO EXTEND A DEFINITION
Explication
- Explains and clarifies any word in the definition that may confuse the readers
E.g.: The word autobiography is made up/consists of two words: auto, which means self or by oneself, and biography, which means an account of a person’s life. Therefore, autobiography means the story of one’s own life written or dictated by oneself.

24. WAYS TO EXTEND A DEFINITION
Negative comparisons or Negation
-Readers can grasp some meanings by understanding clearly what the term does not mean
E.g.:
A cucumber is not a vegetable,
but a long fruit.

25. WAYS TO EXTEND A DEFINITION
Besides using the 5 ways of expanding a definition above, we can also use descriptive details such as:
Class
Size
Shape
Colour
Properties/Function

26. What else can be included?
Be descriptive- elaborate details for class, size, shape, colour, properties, uses and other info related that can help you explain more.

27. WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED TO DESCRIBE
color height width shape weight materials texture location methods of attachment depth amount of pattern, design ingredients age subparts length temperature moisture content smell

28. Sample extended description of a nail clipper
Class
Nail clipper
A nail clipper is a hand tool used to trim fingernails and toenails. It can also be used to file your nails and remove dirt from beneath your nails. It is portable, light and usually made of stainless steel but can also be made of plastic and aluminium.
Function
Function
Physical properties
Material

29. Write up a short description
Possible topics include devices that are specific to your field, or devices/tools you use in everyday life:
Piano
Guitar
Notebook
Smartphone
Kettle