One of the lighter moments in Stanley Kubrick's science-fiction epic 2001: A Space Odyssey concerns Dr. Heywood Floyd's reading of the instructions for using the zero gravity toilet. While lasting only a moment and perhaps inconsequential to the overall themes of the film, this inclusion of technical communication adds a necessary degree of realism. There's also a subtle humor here, given the propensity for toilet jokes to elicit laughter. A closer look at the instructions themselves, though, reveals a format appropriate for technical documentation. Even if a bit complicated and intimidating, this might only heighten the comedic effect. On a somewhat related note, Saturday Night Live's "Happy Fun Ball" commercial is almost exclusively for comedic effect. A spoof of warnings accompanying children's toys, "Happy Fun Ball" also has a degree of realism, though amplified for satirical purposes. In each instance, principles of technical communication are present while also revealing cultural values.
The following assignment asks for a direct contribution to this unique kind of technical communication. Even at this early stage in the semester, I think it important to exercise burgeoning knowledge. So, compose a technical document about a fictional product or service found in some form of media. Movies and television are primary areas in which to find such products and services, but many also exist in videogames and even on YouTube. I realize there might be some difficulty in coming up with an appropriate fictional product or serve, so feel free to choose from the following:
- the teleporter from Star Trek
- the lightsaber from Star Wars
- the balloon-house from Up
- the energy sword from Halo
- the Cornballer from Arrested Development
- the Kitten Mittens from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- the portable hole from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
- any of the weapons from the Ratchet & Clank series
- any of the gadgets from the James Bond movies
- any of the contraptions Wile E. Coyote orders from ACME to catch the roadrunner
At a minimum of 800 words (and due Week 4), the document produced should be some kind of technical communication. A brief set of instructions, a manual introduction, technical specifications, and background information are all appropriate. The document produced could also be a combination, e.g., the instructions and specifications of a batarang. Depending on what fictional product or service is of major focus in completing this assignment, further research might be necessary. If so, there is an expectation that outside sources will be given appropriate credit. It should be clear, though, what fictional product or service is of major focus in the technical document. Again, composing technical documentation of a fictional product or service provides an early, unique opportunity to exercise growing knowledge of technical writing. A required revision of said documentation in Week 14 should further reveal how much has been learned over the semester.