Chapter 20, Additional Exercise 1: Evaluating Definitions and Descriptions

The Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is a well-written piece of technical communication. Take 10 minutes to review one of its chapters, identifying examples of definitions and descriptions. Select one definition and one description of a mechanism or process, and be prepared to explain to the class how well each one conforms to the guidelines presented in Chapter 20 of your textbook. If the example differs from the guidelines presented in the textbook, be prepared to explain whether and how the writing situation—the audience, purpose, and subject—accounts for the differences.