1. CHPATER 4 DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
LECTURE 6
CHPATER 4
DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

2. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. Definitions
A definition is a statement that explains what an objective is, or what an idea means. As a technical writer will usually be concerned with writing definitions of objects so that will be the focus of this chapter.
A good definition should include two types of information:
1. A category or classification to which the object belongs.
2. The objects use or purpose.

3. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. Definitions
For many people the hardest part of writing a definitions categorizing or classifying the object. One common mistake is to use the word “thing” as in, “A hammer is thing that is used for driving nails into hard surfaces.”. The word “thing” is too vague. A better definition is, “A hammer is a tool that is used for driving nails into hard surfaces”.
The following table lists several words used to categorize objects in technical writing. Many of them have similar meanings. Sometimes, when there is no obvious difference between two terms, one term may be preferred by tradition. In other cases, it may be left to the writer’s preference.

4. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. Definitions
An assemblage of part that work together to perform a specific function.
Machine
An assemblage of part that work together to perform a specific function. It tends to be smaller than a machine. It may be part of a machine.
Device
An assemblage of part that work together an action. A mechanism may be part of a device or a machine.
Mechanism
A collective noun referring to ad the related items needed for a specific activity. In the singular one refers to a piece of equipment.
Equipment

5. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. Definitions
A set of materials or pieces of equipment that are assembled often on a temporary basis, to perform a specific function.
Apparatus
Something that has been built, it is used to describe large constructions. It is usually used to describe constructions that are fixed in place.
Structure
Something that has been built.
Construction
A simple device or tool that is used to perform a specific type of work.
Implement
A simple device or tool that is used to perform a specific type of work. It most often used to describe domestic object.
Utensil

6. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. Definitions
An implement that is hand-held. It suggested the need of skill or an ore specific usage them “implement”.
Tool
A device or a tool used for every delicate or precise work.
Instrument
A mean of transport usually used to move people over land.
Vehicle
A substance used to make something.
Material
Something that can be seen or touched. It is solid not liquid or gas. This work should only be used when there is no more specific word. It is preferable to “thing”.
Object

7. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. Definitions
Some objects do not fit nearly into a category, and may be best defined in terms of their shape and what they made of. For example, a screw can not easily be defined using any of the terms listed in the previous table, but it could defined.

8. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. Definitions
Extended definitions
A extended definition is one that includes some extra information to help the reader understand what the object is. Many people will get a clear understanding of a definition if they can visualize the object is.
Many people will get a clear understanding of a definition if they can visualize the object being defined. Therefore, an extended definition may include an example that follows, the reference to a television screen is a helpful addition to the definition of a computer monitor.
An extended definition could also include information about where the object may found.

9. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. Definitions
Extended definitions
The additional information in the second sentence may help readers understand the purpose of overhead projector. You decide whether you need an extended definition here are two things you should consider:
1. Is your definition clear without the extra information? If not will the extra information make it clearer?
2. For whom are you writing the definition? Are these readers likely to want or need the extra information?

10. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. Definitions
Extended definitions
The information might help readers visualize the brain. But is would not help understand the definition. It might confuse them by suggesting that there is relationship between the brain and a type of food.
Resemblance’s should not be mentioned just because they exist, but only if they will make the definition clearer. The second factor to consider is one that should always influence your writing.
Who are your readers and what kind of information do they need?

11. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. Definitions
Extended definitions
For example, if you are defining a clutch for auto mechanics students, they will need to know what it looks like. However, if you defining a clutch for student drivers, starting what it looks like not very helpful at all.
One way to check whether the definitions you write are clear is to leave out the name of the object you are defining and see if a friend or colleague can easily guess what the object is.

12. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
2. Descriptions
a. Dimensions
Dimensions are often part of a technical description. If English is your second language you probably know the words you need to express dimensions, such as “length”, “width”, and “height” but you may have some difficulty using them correctly.
For example, when describing a rectangular object, it is grammatically incorrect to say; “It is three meters length”, or “It has a width of two meters”. Here are sonic examples of how to state dimensions correctly.

13. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
2. Descriptions
a. Dimensions
- Length
1. The bar is three meters long.
2. The bar is 3 m in long.
3. The length of the bar is three meters.
- Width
1. The board is 20 cm wide.
2. The width of the board is twenty centimeters.

14. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
2. Descriptions
a. Dimensions
- Height
1. The pole is 20 meters high.
2. The height of the pole is 20 m.
- Depth
1. The trough is 50 cm deep.
2. The depth of the trough is 50 centimeters.

15. LECTURE 6: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
2. Descriptions
a. Dimensions
The difference between height and depth can sometimes be confusing. A general rule is “That depth is usually used for structures that are below surface level, such as a building’s foundation, a ditch or mine shall, and for objects which are always approached from above such bathtubs or swimming pools”. There is another situation where depth may be used. If you are measuring a vertical container that can be only entered from the front, such as a closet or a refrigerator , you may refer to the measurement from front to back as depth. In that case the measurement from side to side would be the width and measurement from top to bottom would be the height.