MODULE 9

TOPIC: SPECIAL
TECHNIQUES OF
TECHNICAL WRITING
Module Overview: This module is designed for Criminology to know the focuses on the
special techniques of technical writing. These are not types of reports, but rather they are
techniques that could be used by the writer to improve his writings. An effective writer does not
settle on mediocre reports, but he goes beyond to clearly convey his ideas. With his knowledge
on correct grammar and with the innovations to use any techniques, a better written output is
produced.
The techniques that are discussed in details for this module are: Definition, Classification,
Partition, Description of a Process, and Description of a Mechanism. These techniques are not
only helpful but also important in the representation of the writer's ideas.

Module Outcomes:
At the end of the module the students should have;

 identified the special techniques of technical writing;

 applied the effective principles of classification technique in writing;
 distinguished the technique of description of a mechanism from description of a process;
and
 write technical reports using each of the special techniques

Module Content:
 SPECIAL TECHNIQUES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
 DEFINITION
Course Content

Activity Description Time

Overview
1 Discussion/Power point presentation through Messenger 30 minutes
2 Video Clip Presentation 10 minutes
3 Discussion 20 minutes

DISCUSSION

Technical Writing Techniques

In the written communication process, the writer can best express his ideas when he is
familiar with all of the aspects and conventions of the written language. He needs to be
innovative in his writing styles, and be creative in conveying any information he has in mind to
his readers. In the same manner, he may employ certain techniques to enhance his ideas not
with fragmented information, but with a more meaningful form of communication. The writer
may utilize certain techniques in writing like Definition, Classification, Partition, Description of
a Process, and Description of a Mechanism. These are not considered as types of reports, as they
are just techniques that help the writer enhance his written output. In many instances, various
technical reports may contain either one or all of these techniques.

1. DEFINITION
When a writer uses ordinary and unfamiliar technical terms in a report, he may utilize
the definition technique. Definition is the giving of meaning or explanation to a particular word
or term. There are two kinds of definition, these are: informal definition and formal definition.
A. Informal Definition
In composition, informal style is a broad term for speech or writing marked by a casual,
familiar, and generally colloquial use of language. An informal writing style is often more
direct than a formal style and may rely more heavily on contractions, abbreviations and
short sentences. In this type of definition, the meaning of the term is made up of one or two
synonyms substituted for an unfamiliar word. This is mostly composed of short substituted
words and phrases.

Examples:
Detention-confinement or restraint upon persons
Detection-discovering the existence of facts
Doctrine- beliefs or principles
Torture- inflicting pain to body or mind
Law- rules or conduct of action
Unit- functional groups
Cipher- code or secret message

B. Formal Definition
This type of definition is made up of complete and longer sentences; this is used in a more
formal written output. This is categorized into three main parts namely:
 Species (Word)-the term to be defined
 Genus (Class)- the group or class to which the term belongs
 Differentia- specific features that identifies or separates the term from other members of
the class

Examples:

SPECIE (WORD) GENUS (CLASS)

DIFFERENTIA
Dactyloscopy is the process of comparing questioned and
known frictionskin ridge
impressions from fingers,
palms, and toes to determine if
the impression are from the
same finger, palm, or toes.
Bail is the security given for the temporary
release of a person in the
 custody of the law.

Firearm is an instrument used for the propulsion of

projectiles by the expansive
force of gasses coming from a
burning powder
Graphology is the art of trying to interpret the
character or personality of an
individual from his
handwriting.
Espionage is an offense of gathering, losing, or
transmitting information
respecting the national
defense with reason to believe
that the information is to be
used to the injury of a country.

Ways of Expanding a Formal Definition:

Formal Definition can be amplified or expanded using the following methods: Etymology,
Details, Examples, Comparison and Contrast, Cause and Effect, Description, and Negation.

1. Etymology- this method is the citing the origin of the word, this is used mainly for the
purpose of illustration for further clarification on the meaning of a particular term.

Example:

The term camera is derived from camera obscura, which is the Latin term for "dark room" or
"dark chamber.”In 1700, the Camera Obscura was designed by Leonardo Da Vinci with accurate
scale and perspective.
-culled from Crimjninalistics by Agas,et.al,p.39

2. Details- This is a method of adding a particular or minute account, or adding supporting

details to a term. This is mainly for the purpose of clarifying the meaning of a word.

Example:

Gunpowder refers to the powder charge used in firearms, also referred to as propellent. The
most common type is the black powder which is made up of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and
sulfur. Smokeless powders are those given to nitro powders which are entirely smokeless in
action. When ignited by the primer flash it is converted to heated gas under high pressure and
this energy boosts the bullet or shot charge through the barrel.

-culled from Crimininalistics by

Agas,et.al,p.113
3. Examples- this method is used in order to give vivid definition to terms that are abstract by
citing concrete illustrations or additional examples.

Example:
There are several marks which may be found on tired cartridge cases. namely: firing pin
impression, breech pin impression, chamber marks, extractor marks, shearing marks, pivotal
marks, ejector marks, and magazine lips marking.
-culled from Crimininalistics by Agas,et.al,p.110

4. Comparison and Contrast- this is a method that makes use of citing similarities
(comparison) and differences (contrast) between two objects.

Example:

Between 25 and 35 percent of the patterns encountered consists of whorls. In a whorl, some of
the ridges make a turn through at least one circuit.

A double loop whorl is consist of two separate and distinct loop formations with two separate
and distinct shoulders and two deltas. An accidental whorl on the other hand consists of two
different types of pattern with the exception of the plain arch, with two or more deltas.

-culled from Crimininalistics by Agas,et.al,p. 18-19

5. Cause and Effect- This is a method that points out that something is done that triggered it
(cause), therefore it brought about a result (effect).

Example:

The amount of blood loss in the body without being replaced may probably imply that the cause
of death in a person is hemorrhage. The loss of reddish tinge in blood may also imply that a
carbon monoxide poisoning or other blood disease is the cause of death of a person.

-culled from Crimininalistics by Agas,et.al,p. 250

6. Description- this is a method of describing or illustrating a term's physical attributes and

appearance, this method uses adjectives in describing.
Example:

Somatic death or clinical death is a complete, continuous, persistent cessation of respiration and
circulation of almost all brain functions of an organism. The immediate signs of death in a
person are the sudden cessation of upward and downward movement of the chest in the process
of respiration; sudden pale color of the face and lips; the pulse and the heartbeat stops; the jaw
or head drops down and flaccidity of the muscles occurs; the presence of dilated pupils as well as
the loss of corneal and light reflexes.

-culled from Crimininalistics by Agas,et.al,p.253

7. Negation-this method uses negative statement to emphasize the meaning of a particular

word.

Example:

A color negative film is printed on a color photographic paper which is essentially similar to the
films used in a camera except that the emulsion layer is coated in a paper base and couplers
which are colorless. Colored couplers are not used because the prints would then be unsuitable
for direct viewing. Printing a color negative in complementary colors in a non-reversal print
material reverses both tone scale and the color of the negative within the accuracy limit of the
photographic process of the tone and color of the original subject.

-culled from Forensic Photography by Vilarba, p. 85

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1. Provide the Informal definitions of the terms below:

1. jury
2. plea
3. fiscal
4. court
5. defense
6. promptness
7. safe
8. subject
9. death
 10. trauma
11. forgery
12. seize
13. search
14. apograph
15. tactics

Activity 2: Give the formal definition of the following words below by using etymology
methods.(5 points each)

1. felony
2. treason
3. corpus delicti
4. prison

Assessment
Assessment 1. Give the formal definition of the following words below by identifying its
specie, genus and differentia. (20 points)

Specie (WORD) Genus (CLASS) DIFFERENTIA

1. Cannabis
2.Detoxification
3. Human Rights
4. Morality
5. Affidavit
6. Custody
7.Vagrants
8.Witness
9.Complaint
10. Prison

Assessment 2. Look for ten (10) terms related to Criminology and give its formal definition
by identifying its specie, genus and differentia. (20 points)

References:
Nano, M.C.,et al (2014), Technical Report Writing for Criminology
Nano, M.C (2014), English Basic Grammar for Criminology Students

***END OF MODULE 9***