English 314: Technical Communication
Technical Description (10%)
Due: Thurs, 2/7/08
We all use the word description loosely to refer to practically any discussion or explanation. The
biggest hurdle you may face in writing a technical description is remembering what the term
means as it is used in this context. “Descriptions, like definitions, help define an idea. In
addition, descriptions use words and visuals to create a picture of the produce or process, such as
the structure of a bicycle frame or the process of nuclear fission.” (G&L, 257). That means
discussing things like color, shape, size, weight, height, width, thickness, texture, density,
contents, materials of construction, process, procedures, timeline, and so on. It also means
discussing any quantifiable details such as numbers.
For example, the sentence "A computer diskette is a device used for storing electronic data" is
not really description in our sense of the word. It explains the function or purpose but provides
little or no physical detail. However, the sentence "The common computer diskette is 3.5 inches
by 3.5 inches and approximately 1/8 inch thick" is very definitely description.
Descriptions are common element in technical writing. Descriptions appear more often as a
sentence or two here, a paragraph there, or a whole section there. There are certain kinds of
technical writing that feature description. You can imagine accident reports requiring plenty of
description. Product specifications--documents that describe design and feature of a new or
changed product--have plenty of description. Also instructions typically require description as an
important supplement: readers need to be able to visualize what they are doing and what they are
working with.
Description
Select a technical item or process for your field of study. Ensure that the item or process is
sufficiently technical as to require explanation to field-outsiders. Also ensure that you select a small
enough concept to be explainable within the frame work of this assignment. For example, you could
explain a technical item like a vacuum picker wheel in a planter or a technical procedure like
restriction fragment length polymorphism isolation. Explain this item or process to a lay audience
using an appropriate combination of the following strategies:
 Physical Description
 Process Description
 Etymology
 History and Background
 Operating Principle
 Life Cycle
 Visual Representation
 Analogy
 Cause and Effect
 Troubleshooting
English 314 Sec 16 Spring 2008
Page 2
Description of Description
Your technical description should be confined to two sides of a 1 page handout on 8 ½ x 11 in
paper. It should include roughly 50% written and 50% visual content. It should be printed in
color. The design, layout, and orientation of the document are at your discretion.
Explanatory Memo
Additionally, you should compose a 2-3 page memo report explaining your technical
description. The memo should specify the audience, purpose, and context of your technical
description, and explain your rationale behind selecting chosen descriptive strategies. You may
choose to situate your technical description within a rhetorical context appropriate to your
anticipated career. Therefore it may be addressed to bosses, non-technical coworkers, clients,
government regulators, or another appropriate audience. Additionally, you will need to specify
the document purpose, and context of use. These details will be critical in explaining your
selected rhetorical strategies.
Some Evaluation Criteria
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Description includes adequately explains technical item/process.
Description is appropriate for the specified rhetorical situation.
Description is well-organized and coherent.
Description is clear and easy to understand.
Description is visually informative.
Description is visually engaging.
Memo includes rhetorical situation.
Memo clearly explains selected description strategies.
Memo clearly details why strategies are appropriate for rhetorical situation.
Memo is well organized with clear introduction, thesis, and conclusion.
Memo contains few or no errors in correctness.