engl-2338

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Project 4: Technical Object Description

Assignment Overview

ENGL2338: Technical Writing Department of English

University of Texas at Arlington

This assignment asks that you select a technical object and write a description of its

looks, features, and functions. In completing this assignment, you will learn how to

define and describe a technical object to someone who has little knowledge with it.

Assignment Guidelines Begin by reviewing Gurak & Lannon, Chapter 12: Descriptions. You will choose your

own topic for this assignment. However, the subject of your description should be a

technical object (e.g., fitness tracker, flash drive, wrench, clock radio, calculator, smart

phone, game console, stapler, etc.). Because you must accurately describe an object with

750-1000 words, do not pick something too simple (such as a paper clip) or too complex

(such as a John Deere tractor). Choose a topic that is complex and manageable. Once you

have identified a technical object, research it. Take time to learn about what the parts are

called and how they work. This might require you to read background information or

otherwise inform yourself about the topic.

Audience and Content Your primary audience would be someone who has little experience with the object that

you are describing.

Regardless of the object, your final paper should have 750-1000 words; you must include

all of the following contents in your description: • Introduction.

• Orient your audience by providing a one-sentence definition of the object. • Preview its various parts. • Discuss its uses and functions. • Preview the content of your description.

• Detailed Description of the Object.

• Describe each part of the object in detail, including its dimensions, materials, principle(s) of operation, function, and relation to other parts.

• Use the present tense.

• When introducing a new concept or terminology, make sure to explain it for a non-technical audience.

• Conclusion.

• Re-state the major use(s) and function(s) of the object to solicit the audience’s support or awareness.

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Warning Against Copying Descriptions!

You should write the descriptions yourself. DO NOT simply copy descriptions you

found elsewhere and cite the source. If you do, Unicheck will detect and report the

exact words, phrases, and sentences that are copied and will show the original sources.

We have been working with SafeAssign for many years and we know that it is an

effective and reliable tool in detecting plagiarism.

In addition, it is NOT acceptable to copy existing descriptions and then cite the sources.

This is not the idea of this assignment. The idea is that YOU will write a technical

object description—this maybe something that you are familiar with, or something that

you have learned and can express in your own words. You are still allowed to consult

secondary sources, if necessary. But do make sure that you are writing the descriptions

yourself.

If you transcribe (copy) descriptions you found elsewhere, you cannot get a 60 or

above on this assignment, even if you cite the sources in APA.

If portions (or the entirety) of your paper are copied from other sources without

proper APA documentation, your assignment will receive a 0, and the plagiarism

case will be reported to UTA Office of Student Conduct.

Document Design and Illustrations Give careful thought to illustrations and design elements:

• Use headings and sub-headings throughout the document. Mark the introduction, body, and conclusion of your document with headings; and use sub-headings to

indicate the beginning of each part/component of the objective you are describing.

DO NOT just throw together a large chunk of texts without clearly identifying each

part. • Single-space the text.

• You must include at least two illustrations. You may create your own, use illustrations from other sources, or adapt illustrations from other sources. Make

sure you provide source information for all illustrations immediately below each

illustration. (For example, for any photos you took: “Source: photo by author.” For

any illustrations from other sources: “Source: web site (or other resource listed

here).”

• Apply as many of the four basic design principles as possible (Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity).

• Design your document for consistency (grid patterns, margins, justification, white space, indentation, font style and size). See pages 136-140.

• Design your document for navigation and emphasis (headings, color, shading, boldface, italic, and underlining, bulleted and numbered lists). See pages 140-145.

• Follow the tips for illustrating documents presented in Chapters 7.

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Submission • Your final paper should have 750-1000 words and should be single-spaced.

• Submit your Word file via Unicheck. No assignments will be accepted over email. • Required title for Word file: your last name-description. For example, my file name

should be: Pearman-description.docx.

• See Course Calendar for important due dates.

Evaluation Rubrics

• Completeness (10 pts): The description includes all of the sections required.

• Terminology (10 pts): The description uses correct terminology and effectively explain the terminology to a non-technical audience.

• Introduction (10 pts): The introduction orients the audience by providing a one- sentence definition of the object. It previews the object’s various parts, discusses

the object’s uses and functions. It also previews the content of the description. • Detailed Description of the Object (20 pts): The body of the document

describes each part of the object in detail, including its dimensions, materials,

principle(s) of operation, function, and relation to other parts. It uses the present

tense. It explains new concepts or terminology for a non-technical audience. • Conclusion (10 pts): The conclusion re-states the major use(s) and function(s) of

the object to solicit the audience’s support or awareness.

• Design (10 pts): Effective use of the design principles (contrast, alignment, proximity, and repetition). Design features, such as fonts, font sizes, and forms of

emphasis are applied consistently. The overall design is clear and consistent.

• Illustrations (10 pts): There are at least two illustrations. The illustrations are effective, each serving a functional purpose (meaning, it helps the reader better

comprehend the task at hand). It is not merely used for decorative purpose. The illustrations are appropriately documented, displayed, and labeled.

• Style (10 pts): Present tense is used throughout. Headings are in parallel form. Numbered/bulleted items, if used, are in parallel form. Paragraphs are unified—

each paragraph has a single focus, begins with a topic sentence, and develops

around a single idea. • Mechanics (10 pts): Spelling, APA documentation, grammar, and punctuation

are correct. Minimum word requirement is met.