TECHNICAL

DESCRIPTIONS
MECHANISM AND
PROCESS

OBJECTIVES
Distinguish

description of mechanism from

description of a process
Appreciate the need for writing technical
description
Write a description of a process

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Provides

precise details about the physical

features, appearance, or composition of
objects, mechanisms, and processes
Combines words and visuals to create a clear
mental image of the thing being described
An instructional piece of writing that teaches
the reader the physical qualities, dimensions,
materials, and use of mechanism

 May

be a part of a larger work (operations

manual, technical report, sales literature,
magazine, brochure etc.) or complete in itself
Descriptions can be:
In detail
In broad outline
Depending on the need of the readers

TYPES OF TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS

Description

Designed to convey a technical understanding of

the function, appearance, and operation of a
particular object, usually machines or devices
that have moving parts

Description

of a mechanism

of a process

Designed to have the reader understand the

process but not to perform an action. It explains
how things work or are made.

DESCRIPTION OF MECHANISMS

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF A MECHANISM

Description

of a mechanism

An assembly of movable parts having one part

fixed with respect to a frame of reference and
designed to produce an effect
Designed to convey a technical understanding of
the function, appearance, and operation of a
particular object
Examples: CD player, flashlight, lawn mower
Involves a detailed discussion of the physical
aspects of the object (color, shape, weight,
thickness, texture, number)

PARKING METER

HTTP://WWW.MONCTON.CA/ASSETS/RESIDENTS+ENGLISH/ROADS+AND+TRANSPO

RTATION/PARKING+METER-DESCRIPTION.JPG

Include:
Color, height,
width, shape,
weight,
materials,
texture, width,
location,
methods of
attachment,
depth, amount,
pattern, design,
ingredients,
age, subparts,
length, finish,
temperature,
moisture,
content, smell

STRUCTURE OF MECHANISM DESCRIPTIONS

Title or section heading- Title for a separate
document, section heading if it is a part of a
longer document
2. Introduction- Must give the definition, function,
appearance, operating principle, parts
(introductions must be short and straight to the
point)
3. Discussion- Give a part-by-part description
(define, describe, and use transitions), you may
also add figures, diagrams, and pictures
4. Conclusion- Summarize the operation, or
describe briefly how the parts function together
Ex. pp. 62-64 Flashlight
1.

GPS TRACKER
HTTP://WWW.GOPASS.COM.TW/PRODUCT/PRODUCT_IMAGES/GP
S911_DESCRIPTION.JPG

AUTOMOBILE ALTERNATOR
HTTP://WWW.IO.COM/~HCEXRES/TEXTBOOK/DESC.HTML

A key component of an automobile's charging

system, which provides current to recharge the
battery and develops electricity to power all other
electrical components when the engine is running,
is the alternator. The other component of the
charging system is the voltage regulator. The basic
function of the alternator is to generate the
electricity required to start and run the automobile,
while the regulator is designed to control the
amount of voltage that circulates through the
system. This discussion will focus entirely upon the
alternator, specifically, the principle of operation by
which it works and its main components. An
alternator (Fig. 1) consists of rotor assembly, a
stator assembly, and a rectifier mounted in a
housing.

Alternator Housing. The housing is usually made up of

two pieces of die-cast aluminum. Aluminum is used
because it is a nonmagnetic, lightweight material that
provides good heat dissipation. Bearings supporting the
rotor assembly are mounted in the front and rear
housing. The front bearing is usually pressed into the
front housing or onto the rotor shaft. It is usually a
factory-lubricated ball bearing. The rear bearing is
usually installed with a light press fit in the rear housing.
Stator Assembly. The stator is clamped between the
front and the rear housing. A number of steel stampings
are riveted together to form its frame. Three windings
around the stator frame are arranged in layers in each of
the slots on the frame. At the other end, they are
connected into the rectification assembly.

Rotor Assembly. The rotor assembly consists of a rotor

shaft, a winding around an iron core, two pole pieces,
and slip rings. The rotor is pressed into the core. Sixfingered, malleable, iron pole pieces are pressed onto
the shaft against each end of the winding core. They are
placed so that the fingers mesh but do not touch. When
direct current is passed through the field coil winding,
the fingers become alternately north and south poles. A
slip ring assembly is pressed on to the rear end of the
rotor shaft and connected to the two ends of the field
winding.
Rectifier Assembly. The rectifier assembly consists of
six diodes mounted either in the rear housing or in a
separate small housing called a rectifier bridge. Three of
the diodes are connected to ground, and three are
mounted in an insulator. Since the mounting assembly
carries off heat caused by the operation of the diode, it
is often called a heat sink.

PROCESS

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF A PROCESS

Description

of a process

An explanation of how a series of action leads to

a specific result
Explains how things work or are made
Differs from instructions and procedures
because it does not intend to guide readers to
perform an action, but only to understand them
May include the tools and materials in making
the product, a step-by-step description,
performance specifications, troubleshooting
instructions, and warnings

ACTIONS IN DESCRIPTIONS OF A PROCESS

Actions

that occur in nature (forming

diamonds, heart function, typhoon)
Actions that produce a product (making coins,
creating a painting)
Actions that make up a partial task (mining
gold, testing blood for cholesterol)
Actions in the past (pyramid in Egypt, Great
Wall)

STRUCTURE OF A PROCESS DESCRIPTION

The

process is partitioned to a reasonable

(usually chronological) sequence of steps
1. Title or section heading- indicate if the
description is general or particular
2. Introduction- include enough details about
the process (principles and conditions),
define the process, explain functions, where
and when it takes place and who performs
the action

STRUCTURE OF A PROCESS DESCRIPTION

3.

4.

Step-by-step description- Explain the stages

in sequence, explain how the stages fit in
the overall process, note the dangers or
special conditions, describe how they occur,
state the results of the stage
Conclusion- Explain the expected results,
what these mean, and how the process
influences others

Ex. p.66 Taking a blood sample

TECHNICAL
INSTRUCTIONS

OBJECTIVES
Define

and acknowledge the importance of

technical instructions.
Accurately provide prefatory material for a
specific set of instructions.
Write a simple set of instructions embodying
the writing strategies and page layout.

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS
Step-by-step

commands which relay to the

user how to do a particular task
Qualities:
1. Clear and easy to follow
2. Must contain the precise and appropriate
information
3. Have inviting and clear visual design

HTTP://WWW.DESIGNBOOM.COM/CONTEST/FILES/COPY_0_INSTR
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INSTRUCTIONS
Goal:

to have the reader perform a task by

following procedures
What to consider:
Goal
2. Audience
3. Sequence to follow
4. Visual aids
1.

HTTP://WWW.BASAN.COM/FILEADMIN/USER/GRAFIKEN_ENG/WAS
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SECTIONS IN TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS

Title-

must be precise, specific and limiting

Introduction

Indicate the task and the coverage

Indicate what the needed background and
knowledge of the audience
Give the general idea of the procedure and what
it accomplishes
Indicate the conditions when these instructions
should be used
Give an overview of the contents

SECTIONS IN TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS

Technical

background or theory
Equipment and supplies (listed vertically or in
two columns)
General warning, caution, or danger notices

Use graphics or symbols to catch the readers

eyes

Actual

sequence of instructions

Number the list

Clarify
Use visuals

ADDITIONAL TIPS IN WRITING TECHNICAL

INSTRUCTIONS
Make

sure the reader can perform the steps

Use numbered or bulleted lists
Use illustrations
Use the same terminology and labels throughout
the document
Use headings
Use imperative mood (begin with a verb)
Use the active voice
State specific details
Write complete sentences
Use must and is instead of should and would