Explaining concepts and ideas

• You do not need complex language to explain

complex ideas but you do need clear, well-
structured speech
 Total Quality Management
Read the paragraph explaining the concept of
TQM.
‘TQM stands for Total Quality Management. This is
a system which involves the whole company in the
management of the quality of its services or
products. For example, using the system to identify
needs, agree aims, and allocate responsibilities.
So, TQM can be seen as a strategy to improve
quality management in its broadest sense.’
The explanation above can be divided into four main steps:
1. Define
TQM—Total Quality Management
2. Describe
the total achievement for a company in the management
of the quality of its services or products.
3. Illustrate
It has to identify needs, agree aims and allocate
responsibilities.
4. Rephrase
TQM is a strategy to improve quality in the broadest
sense.
 Exercise
Market research is the investigation of the needs
and potential of a market. It involves several stages
including the definitions of objectives, the collection
and analysis of results, and finally the interpretation
and presentation of findings. For example, a
company may use market research to decide on the
likely demand for a product at a given price. To
summarise, market research enables companies to
make informed decisions about marketing strategy
and its implementation.
Define: Giving an explanation or a definition

1. Some expressions or markers used to define

or explain a statement explicitly are:
means
is taken to be
denotes
refers to
is defined as
• The term computer refers to the processor
plus the internal memory.
• A chip is defined as a tiny square piece of
silicon.
• Peripherals mean devices which are atttached
to the computer.
2. One very common method is to give the term
being defined : X is/are Y
Examples:
• A computer is an electronic device.
• Tapes and disks are memory devices.
• Printers are output devices.
 Describe
3. Another method is to use the same pattern as in
number 2 above and also give some distinguishing
charactetistics.
examples:
• A computer is an electronic device which/that
processes information.
• Tapes and disks are memory devices which/that can
be stored away for future use.
• A programmer is a person who prepares programs to
solve problems.
4. One of the most frequent forms of definition or
explanation is to use two nouns (or noun phrases) in
apposition, separated by commas.
Examples:
• Computers, electronic devices for processing
information, are now used in practically every aspect
of life.
• Turnkey systems, complete hardware/software
products, may be provided along with the hardware
by a system supplier.
 Illustrate: Giving examples
• For example
• For instance
• An example of this
• As an example
• That is
• Such as
• Like
• Namely
 Rephrase
• In conclusion
• In short
• In other word
• So
• To summarize
• To conclude
A computer is an electronic device which can
process information at extremely rapid rates.
For example, they can solve certain arithmetic
problems millions of times faster than a skilled
mathematicians. So, computer can handle and
manipulate the information given to it.
WORK IN GROUP OF 3 OR 4!
EXPLAIN THESE TERMS FOLLOWING THE 4 STEPS
THAT YOU HAVE JUST LEARNED!
A) SOFTWARE
B) HARDWARE