Technical Description Assignment
Summary of the Assignment:
Task: In this assignment, you will write a technical description for a non-specialized audience. You will explain to a non-technical audience how something works. You will choose an object or a process with which you are familiar. You will describe this object or process to an audience that has little or no background of the subject. Graphics: You must include at least one graphic. o graphics borrowed from other sources need to be cited in APA format o all graphics should be labeled
Sample Technical Descriptions from Previous WRTG 393 Students:
In our class in LEO, if you select Content, you will see a section labelled sample papers for WRTG 393.
If you select that section, you will see some sample white papers written by previous students in WRTG 393.
Brief Description and Strategies:
Keep in mind that you are not writing instructions on how to do something. You wrote instructions for writing assignment #1. For writing assignment #2, if you describe a process, you may want to describe a process that does not involve direct human action. This approach will help prevent you from writing another set of instructions for this assignment. If you describe a process, you will describe an activity or phenomenon that takes place. For example, you could describe how the heart pumps blood in the human body. But you could not give instructions on how to take someone’s blood.
Your description will include graphics. The description will use visual detail in both words and images. You might consider one of the following two strategies:
provide one main graphic and refer to parts in the graphic when writing your technical description provide many graphics, integrating each graphic as you write the various parts of the technical description
Examples of topics for this assignment include the following:
You are an auto mechanic. You could write a description of how spark plugs work to an audience of non-mechanics. You would not write a set of instructions on how to install spark plugs. You would describe how spark plugs work. You work in technical support at a computer store. You could write a description of how a graphics card works to an audience that is not familiar with computers. You would not write a set of instructions on how to install a graphics card. You would describe how graphics cards work. You are in a branch of the military. You could write a description of how a function of your unit operates to a non-military audience. You would not write a set of instructions on how to do something in the military unit. You would describe how a function or process in the military unit operates. You might describe a piece of equipment that you included in your set of instructions for writing assignment #1. For example, assume that you wrote a set of instructions for writing assignment #1 on how to change oil in a car. In that set of instructions, perhaps you listed a hydraulic jack as a piece of equipment. For writing assignment #2, you could write a description of how the hydraulic jack works in lifting up a car. You would not write a set of instructions on how to jack up a car. You would describe how the jack works.
Your description should answer the following questions:
What is the object or process? How is it defined? What does the object or process do? What does the object or process look like? What is the object made of? (if you are describing an object and not a process) How does the object or process work? Why should the reader be interested in your object or process?
Overall, chapter 20 from Markel, “Writing Descriptions,” should be read thoroughly as you begin this assignment. Different types of descriptions call for different strategies. The chapter from Markel is an excellent resource in guiding your approach. The chapter is available in eReserves in our class.
On page 549, Markel provides an excellent distinction between writing instructions and describing a process. Please become familiar with that section of Markel’s chapter as you consider your topic for this assignment.
Organization and Formatting:
Your technical description should have the following sections: Title Introduction (general information, including definitions) Body (identifying and explaining the parts and characteristics) Conclusion (summary of how the parts work together)
Consider one of these styles of organization in planning and organizing your description:
Functions in spatial order – o This style might be used when you want readers to describe an object or process according to its physical layout. For example, in describing an acoustic guitar, you might start with the tuners at the top and work your way to the bridge near the bottom. Functions in order of importance – o This style would be used if you want to highlight the most important functions first, the next most important functions second, etc. For example, in describing a flatscreen television set, you might start with the pixels, which make up the picture, and then proceed to describe other functions. Functions in chronological order – o This style would be used if you want to describe the object or process according to time. For example, in describing a how spark plugs work, you might start with what happens first (electrons flowing from the ignition coil) what happens second (the voltage difference that occurs), what happens third, etc.
In addition, the document should be single-spaced.
Helpful Guides and Resources:
“Writing Descriptions,” chapter from M. Markel in eReserves David McMurrey’s Technical Description: What does it look like? Scribd description of a computer mouse How spark plugs work Some sample technical descriptions written by previous students in WRTG 393 are provided in our class in LEO.
What is a BaByliss Paris iPRO 235 Ionic Flat Iron?
In this paper, I will discuss a Babyliss Paris iPro 235 ionic flat iron. A flat iron also referred to as a straightener is a heated device used to straighten and style hair. The term ionic implies that the straightener produces negative ions. Due to its water content, hair is usually positively charged; therefore a tool that provides negative ions will result in shinier and smoother hair.
Figure1: BaByliss Paris iPro 235.
Figure 1 illustrates a BaByliss Paris iPro 235 flat ionic iron.
What features does a BaByliss Paris Ipro 235 have?
The Babyliss Paris iPro 235 has a power button with turns the straighter on and off, and an intense and protect mode. The intense mode button has two temperature settings 220 degrees C, 235 degrees C. The protect mode button has four temperature settings are 140 degrees C, 160 degrees C, 180 degrees C, and 200 degrees C.
Figure 2: BaByliss Paris iPro 235.
Figure 2 illustrates a BaByliss Paris iPro 235 power button, and intense and protect mode button.
Its ceramic plates are 24 mm x 120 mm, and are designed for use on either dry or wet hair. Also, it may be used on straight, crimped, wavy, coarse hair. Its floating plates make gliding and handling of the iron easier by applying constant pressure on the hair without damaging it. When using an ionic straightener on fine or fragile hair, you must be mindful not to turn the temperature up excessively high. It has a temperature regulator which has a LED screen display that precisely indicates the selected temperature. The six temperature settings range from 140 to 235 °C.
Figure 3: BaByliss Paris iPro 235. Figure 4: BaByliss Paris iPro 235.
Figure 3 illustrates a BaByliss Paris iPro 235 24 mm x 120 mm ceramic plates and ionic wet and dry capability.
Figure 4 illustrates a BaByliss Paris iPro 235 temperature settings range from 140 to 235 °C.
Furthermore, the Babyliss Paris iPro 235 has a swivel cord, locking system for optimal protection and storage. The swivel cord is extra-long and has a 360-degree full rotate. Meaning, you can travel and take this device with you, and the cord will not tangle. The convenient locking mechanism holds the straighter closed after usage and during transport.
Figure 5: BaByliss Paris iPro 235. Figure 6: BaByliss Paris iPro 235.
Figure 5 illustrates a BaByliss Paris iPro 235 swivel cord.
Figure 6 illustrates a BaByliss Paris iPro 235 locking device.
How to use a BaByliss Paris IPro 235?
To straighten, plug in the flat iron, switch on and allow it to heat up. The default temperature is 200°C. Once, the unit has heated up to 200°C the LED digital display will stop flashing. Press once on the Protect button, the straightener will reach 180°C; press twice the straightener will reach 160°C; three times the straightener will reach 140°C; four times and the straightener will reach 200°C. Press the same button again, and the straightener will return to 180°C. For an intense straightening, press once on the Intense button and the straightener will reach 220°C; twice and the straightener will reach 235°C. Press the same button again and the straightener will return to 220°C. Before straightening, thoroughly brush hair and section hair. Start with the underneath sections of hair. Take a section of hair about 2 to 3 cm width and place it between the two ceramic hot plates. Hold the hair firmly with the straightener, then slowly slide the flat iron along from the roots to the tips. To create a shaped bob, use as above but turn the straightener under at the end of your hair. Hold the flat iron in place for a couple of seconds then release. To flip your hair, follow the same procedure but angle the appliance out at the end of your hair instead of under.
How to store a BaByliss Paris IPro 235?
Unplug the straighter and allow to cool completely. To protect the ceramic plates, store the straightening iron with the plates closed. Hold the flat iron closed, push down the lock. To prevent damage to the cord, do not wrap it around the unit and ensure it is not twisted or folded. Then storage your straightener or throw it in your bag.
Summary
In conclusion, the Babyliss Paris iPro 235 is an intense protect hair straightener that guarantees instant heat up. It maintains constant high temperature along the entire hair section and straightens the hair in one stroke!
References
BaBylissPRO™ (USA)
https://www.babylisspro.com/
BaByliss iPro 235 Hair Straightener | R729.00 | Hair Straighteners | PriceCheck SA
https://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/82286195/BaByliss+Ipro+235+Hair+Straightener
iPro 235 Hair Straightener
https://clicks.co.za/babyliss_ipro-235-hair-straightener/p/230319
BaByliss Paris iPRO 235 Ionic Flat Iron
BaByliss Paris iPRO 235 Ionic Flat Iron