The Technical Definition and the Technical Description

1
The Technical Definition and the Technical
Description
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The Formal Sentence Definition

• A Formal Sentence Definition is always mentioned
  in the introduction of a Technical Definition or
  a Technical Description.
• A formal sentence definition contains three
  parts
• The term being defined
• The group/class into which the term is placed
• The distinguishing feature(s) separating the
  term from other members of the group/class.
• Some pitfalls to avoid when creating a formal
  sentence definition include
• circularity
• a group that is too broad or too narrow
• and an illogical reference to time or place

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The Technical Definition Working Points

• Some matters to consider when creating a
  Technical Definition
• This writing technique is seldom produced as a
  stand-alone document but is most often included
  as part of a larger document.
• When produced as a stand-alone document, it is
  usually formatted as a short report.
• The introduction always includes a formal
  sentence definition.
• Two or more expansion techniques are listed in
  the introduction and then developed in the body
  sections of the report.
• The conclusion merely summarizes the main points
  made in the text.

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The Technical Description Working Points

• Some matters to consider when creating a
  Technical Description
• This writing technique is sometimes produced as
  a stand-alone document but is more often a part
  of a larger document.
• When produced as a stand-alone document, it is
  usually, but not always, formatted as a short
  report.
• The introduction always includes a formal
  sentence definition, an overall description of
  subject/object, and a bulleted/numbered list of
  main parts.
• The introduction also mentions the purpose of
  the description and the method by which the
  subject/object will be described, i.e., some
  spatial method or an order of importance method
  based on a specific principle.
• The body sections of the report are each devoted
  to one part of the subject/object being
  described.
• The conclusion describes one complete operating
  cycle of the subject/object or indicates how the
  parts work together (or both).