Describing and directing in organizational contexts

Technical Writing

DESCRIBING

Dribbling a basketball is a multi-sensory experience. The orange dimples grow invisible as the ball drifts through the air. The up and down motion of the spherical object mesmerizes the onlooker, creating trails of light in the space between player and court. The ball in question measures thirty inches in circumference and weighs about twenty ounces, or slightly over one pound. To the player's hand, the ball feels amazingly light, like a cotton ball rather than a ball made out of high-tech rubber. The dribbler's hand barely touches the ball when it returns to him from the ground, and his palm is only slightly curved. In fact, because of the size of the ball, the player's palm can sometimes remain totally flat, depending on the size of the person's hand. Moreover, the basketball's dimpled texture renders it easy to grip and unlikely to slip away. It feels cool to the touch, soft and hard at the same time.

This, like most basketballs, is blazing orange with black indented stripes, but basketballs come in a variety of colors and patterns. When the ball is being dribbled on the court, it creates a steady thumping sound that changes depending on the intensity of the dribbling action and the surface of the court. A dribbling basketball on an indoor hardwood court, for instance, sounds lighter and more resounding than a bounce on an outdoor, concrete court. The rubber aroma from the ball pervades the air and mingles with the stench of accumulated sweat.

The dribbler's energetic palm bounces up and down in response to the returning ball. This player dribbles using both hands, alternating them for practice so that they can move effectively in a proper game. The ball bounces back to the player's hand on a trajectory: sometimes it bounces straight upwards and other times on a diagonal, depending on where the dribbler intended the ball to move. Sometimes the player dribbles the ball furiously, sometimes slowly with more finesse or fancy moves. When the player dribbles the ball behind one leg, for instance, the viewer loses sight of it completely, but only for a fraction of a second.

The dribbling ball can be explained and understood through physics, especially Newton's Third Law of Physics, which implies that both the ball and the floor exert a force that affects the way the ball moves. The basketball hits the floor with a degree of force, and the floor, although an inert object, exerts an equal and opposite force on the ball, essentially hurling it upwards back toward the player. The floor and the ball enter a special relationship when the player dribbles. Interestingly, the player is crucial because of the heat or energy generated in the exercise. This heat is visibly evident in the player's sweat and audibly evident in his or her grunts and groans. Moreover, the onlooker can tell how well the player is dribbling based on the intensity of the player's movements. When the player eases up on the dribbling, the ball bounces lower and lower each time and eventually ceases bouncing altogether.

The basketball is also filled with air, which increases firmness and pressure of the ball and enables it to bounce better. If the ball were partially deflated, it would hardly bounce. However, when the ball is completely inflated with air, it is not only perfectly spherical but also offers the best conditions for dribbling possible. The air filling the ball is invisible, however, as is gravity, another invisible yet key force in dribbling. However invisible gravity is, it plays a major role in dribbling by drawing the ball toward the ground. Together with the energy from the player's hand, gravity provides the impetus with which the basketball can bounce back to the player and dribble. Therefore, dribbling a basketball involves sight, sounds, smells, and tactile impressions, as well as invisible forces of physics.

DIRECTING

Because of its flammability, gas furnaces intimidate many homeowners. However, lighting a gas furnace need not be a dangerous or intimidating. The procedure simply involves education, concentration, awareness, and common sense.

First, it is important to know the various types of gas furnaces as well as their various components. Older furnaces have a standing pilot light which is constantly lit. Newer furnaces have an electronic ignition system for the pilot light. Keep in mind that all gas furnaces contain four basic components: a gas valve, burner assembly, heat exchanger, blower, and cabinet. Traditional and electric-ignition furnaces involve different lighting procedures but both work on the same principle: the pilot light controls the furnace.

With a traditional gas furnace, you will want to have a lighter or matches handy before you begin. The best kind of lighter to use is the long-handled one, because they afford the easiest access for the pilot light without fear of getting burned by the flame; likewise, the longer the matchstick, the better.

Find the location of the pilot light. Often there will be a sign printed on the furnace which will indicate the location of the pilot light. Sometimes this is on the bottom of the furnace, but it varies from model to model. Usually the pilot light is located in a separate, enclosed compartment.

Once you find the location of the pilot light, there should be a knob, dial, or buttons. Often there are three settings for these buttons: Light, Off, and Run. The names may vary according to model, but these three buttons entail the same settings. The Off position is where you will want to keep the furnace when you will be away on vacation or during the summertime when the furnace will be out of use. When the furnace is in the "Off" position, the pilot light will not be lit and will not be wasting gas nor contributing to a potential leak.

The "Run" position, which may also be called "On," refers to the furnace being on and operating, using the natural gas from city resources to heat the home or office. In this case, the pilot is properly lit and the furnace in functioning. All you will need to do is adjust a thermostat and relax. However, if you need to light the pilot on the furnace, the following basic instructions should be followed.