Technical Writing 7
Activity 11.2
Analyze each of the four definitions in four separate paragraphs. End each paragraph with your revision of the definition presented. What pitfall does each definition illustrate? Suggest revisions to create adequate formal de5fiuniitions for a lay audience.
A compass is for drawing circle
The noun compass is has many meanings and might confuse the illiterate audience. The compass used in this sentence might imply more than one thing. In the fitr6sr place the word may be perceived as direction or a route while the others may not understand it at all. The sentence seems to be implying as instrument that is used in geometry to draw circles. Therefore by only referring to compass as for circles, there is omission of some words that ought to have created a vivid meaning. The meaning ought to have been: compass is an instrument used for drawing circles.
A fire lane is where you should not park
The definition only regards the reasons attributed to by the consequential occurrences. The definition has a vast loophole that allows for many questions and weaknesses from the statement. The lay audience may perceive the fire lane as any place where no parking should take place. The definition ought to have referred to the fire lane as the distinction boundary beyond which no parking of other vehicles should take place.
C) A crime is the violation of the law
This statement defining crime is not specific. The lay audience may perceive all; acts that violate the law as being crime which is a wrong perception. The definition might be referring to slight occurrences that should not be regarded as crime to be perceived as being serious. The weak point of the statement refers to the inability to differentiate aspects of violations regarding to laws. The definition would have been any act or occurrence of ignorance that is considered as fatal to the public well being ethics or to the state interest that is regarded as legally unacceptable.
d) Sterilization is the process of sterilizing
The definition is not effective because any definition is intended to provide an elaborative of a word or a statement. Sterilizing is the gerund forms of the word sterilize and no meaning is attained at using the same word to define the term. The audience may not understand the meaning since the explanation has only modified the noun into the performance of a verb. Sterilization ought to have been referred to as any process performed on an object either chemically or physically using heat, to alleviate germs on the surface of that object.
Activity 11.3
For each of the five terms you choose, write two sentences. In the first describe the intended audience and the purpose the definition will serve. Then write a definition appropriate to your audience and purpose.
Computer language
The following description targets the layman audience. Computer language refers to a modified language meant to communicate commands instruct to a computer to execute specific operations.
Leader
The following definition targets the layman audience. A leader is a person responsible for exercising power on others.
Herbicide
The following description targets the layman audience who do not have clue about the term. Herbicide refers to a substance used to kill the unwanted plants.
Management
The following description targets the layman audience. Management is a system responsible for the running of an organization.
Coagulation
The following definition targets the layman audience. Coagulation is the process by which blood constituents’ forms clot.
Activity 11.4
Present the five definitions you write for this activity under the heading “Glossary.”
Glossary
Computer language: a modified language meant to communicate commands instruct to a computer to execute specific operations.
Leader: a person responsible for exercising power on others.
Herbicide: a substance used to kill the unwanted plants.
Management: system responsible for the running of an organization.
Coagulation: blood constituents’ forms clot.
Activity 11.9
Answer each of the four questions on page 289 in four separate paragraphs.
a. Judgments about the intended readers.
My judgment about the intended reader can be based on the level and the technicality of the writing. To ensure that the message is obtained by the reader, I can judge all readers’ to be laymen in every field.
b. Comments about extended definitions.
The writer can opt for an extended definition to cater for the intended audience depending on the writers perceptions about the intended audience understanding. The extended definition is meant to elaborate on the choice of words. The technical terms that might be used during the definition can be explained inn the extended part. The writer opts for words to use regarding the type of audience to be addressed. The short sentences depict high precision and clarity while longer sentences might cause confusion in the explanations.
c. The headings
The headings can be more suggestive when the key points are highlighted about the intended topic. The headings can be more effective if short and not more than a sentence. The headings can be written to summarize the content and the words can be organized in a chronological mode to enhance sensibility and direct highlights.
d. Different ways to define terms in extended definition.
Words can be defined in various ways in the extended definition for instance, the extended definition can incorporate the use of examples to obtain the explanation. The extension can also involve lengthy explanations to accommodate all points of the word to be defined and different audience perceptions.
References
Picket N, Laster A & Staples K (2001). Technical English: Writing, Reading, and Speaking, 8th ed. New York: Addison Wesley Longman.
Alfred G Brusaw C & Oliu W (2009). Handbook of Technical Writing, 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins
