Technical Writing

Choose Option 1 or 2, below:

Option 1:  Choose an object (household, technology, mechanical, etc.) and write a well-organized, detailed technical description of it. Remember to first consider and state the AUDIENCE and PURPOSE. This is NOT a marketing piece, but a description, so you are not trying to sell an item, but merely to describe it. An object description is included inside the box of a newly purchased item.

Use at least two visuals (illustrations, photos, etc.) where appropriate. Many items may have several illustrations. Some possible topics (items) are: a software package, a musical instrument, a piece of computer hardware, lab equipment, a technical service or product. Since technical descriptions can get very detailed, I recommend choosing a SIMPLE object - with a specific function or application. 

See pages 543-551 in the Markel text book (11th Edition).

Option 2: Create an instruction manual or how-to video of a product or process. See pages 551-571 in the Markel book. If you choose to create a video, also make it a SIMPLE procedure that you can show in a short video (less than 2 minutes long). Choose a procedure that you are interested in or familiar with. (Examples I've had students do: How to catch a fish, how to change the oil in a car, how to tune a guitar, to name a few.) Think Youtube how-to videos and have a look at some online for reference. Please remember safety alerts and ethics. Show the steps in chronological order and number them in text on the screen if you can. Then upload the file to this dropbox and name your audience and purpose in the dropbox description. If your video file is too large to upload, you may provide a link to Youtube or Vimeo.

Key text elements (along with graphic images) in the document should include:

• Title/title image

• Byline

• Date

• Introduction

• Alerts

• Equipment needed

• Parts List

• Steps

• Conclusion