A product description is an article that uses description as the main expression to briefly introduce knowledge such as the use, performance, characteristics, use and storage methods of the product. The beginning of the product description often uses a summary method to briefly explain its properties and characteristics, and some even use a summary method throughout the entire text. Due to the different functions and usage of various products, the writing methods are naturally very different, but no matter which method is used, the purpose is to make the readers understand. Therefore, the writing language of product descriptions must be popular and accurate; the structure must be organized and orderly.

(1) The concept of product specifications

Commercial

Specifications is a way of expression with explanation as the main expression, using plain, simple and easy-to-use words. Documentary materials that introduce the performance, characteristics, uses, use and maintenance methods of products (including services, etc.) to users and other consumers in a simple and understandable language. Product instructions are sometimes called instruction manuals. The purpose of writing is to teach people to know and use it.

(2) Its main functions are as follows:

1. Explain the guiding role.

2. Publicity and promotion function.

3. Information exchange function.

4. Mandatory instruction function.

2 Characteristics and classification editing

(1) Characteristics of product descriptions

1. Objectivity.

2. Practicality.

3. Organized.

4. Popularity.

(2) Classification of product instructions

1. Based on the content, instructions can be divided into explanatory instructions and brief introduction instructions.

2. Based on the length of the document, instructions can be divided into complete instructions and concise instructions.

3. Based on the form of expression as the standard, instructions can be divided into text instructions, graphic instructions and audio-visual instructions.

3 Structure editing

The structure of a product description generally consists of three parts: title, body, and signature.

Product description

(1) Title

There are three common titles for product descriptions:

1. Directly use the language as the title . For example, "Product Manual", "Product Manual", "Instruction Manual", "Usage Guide", etc.

2. Use the product name as the title. For example, "Sanjiu Weitai", "Purple Light Scanner", etc.

3. Use the product name plus the text as the title. For example, "Gaizhonggai Oral Liquid Product Instructions", "BBK DVD Instructions for Use", etc. (2) Text

The text is the core part of the product description. Different products have different contents that need to be explained. Some describe the use of the product, some describe the function of the product, and some describe its structure. , some explain its ingredients, etc., which vary greatly and each has its own emphasis. For example, food instructions focus on describing its ingredients, usage and shelf life; drug instructions focus on describing its ingredients, basic functions and dosage; electrical appliance instructions focus on describing its use and maintenance methods, etc.

General information includes the following aspects:

1. Overview of the product (such as name, origin, specifications, development history, production method, etc.).

2. Product performance, specifications, and uses.

3. Installation and usage methods.

4. Maintenance and repair methods.

5. Accessories, spare parts and other contents that need to be explained.

The above content can be omitted in detail and changed in order according to actual needs. There are many ways to write text. Commonly used writing methods include expository style, article style, conversational style, tabular style, story style, explanation style, etc. The more common ones are summary style, short essay style, clause style, and combination of pictures and text.

1. Overview. Generally, there is only one or two paragraphs of text that briefly and concisely introduce the product.

2. Short essay style.

A brief introduction to the nature, performance, characteristics, uses and usage of the product is mostly used for introductory content description. This method is often used for commonly used products.

3. Clause formula. This is how to write a manual that introduces the product in detail. It is divided into several parts, and the specifications, structure, main performance and index parameters, maintenance methods, repair and warranty methods of the relevant products are introduced to consumers one by one. Commonly used household appliance manuals often use this method.

4. Comprehensive picture and text. That is, introduce products with pictures and texts. There are detailed text descriptions, photos and graphic explanations, supplemented by circuit diagrams, structural diagrams, molecular formulas (medicine), etc. Instructions for such products are often printed in booklets as accessories.

(3) Signature

The signature should indicate the name, address, postal code, E-MAIL address, telephone number, fax, electronic hook-up of the product and the batch number and production of the product. Date, quality level, etc. Different product descriptions have different signed items, and should be signed according to actual needs.

Patent specification

Patent specification has two interpretations, broad and narrow. In a broad sense, patent specifications refer to the collective name for various types of specifications published by national patent offices or international patent organizations. Including application specifications that have not been reviewed for patentability, such as German patent specifications, Japanese patent gazettes, Chinese invention patent application specifications, etc.; and patent specifications that have been reviewed for patentability, such as U.S. patent specifications, invention specifications from the former Soviet Union, and Chinese patent specifications. /p>

Ming patent specifications, etc.

In a narrow sense, a patent specification refers to a patent specification that has been reviewed for patentability and granted patent rights.

4 Common forms of editing

1.

Manual-style instructions. This type of instruction manual provides users with text explanatory materials ranging from a few pages to dozens of pages in the form of a manual. Some also have photos and illustrations, which can provide detailed and comprehensive information related to the product. The instructions for many home appliances (such as the operating instructions for televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc.) are usually a manual.

2.

Insert instructions. Some product packaging boxes or bags come with a page with information about the product printed on it. This page is an interstitial instruction sheet. Drug instructions are often attached to the medicine box in this form, providing information about the ingredients, pharmacological effects, indications, dosage and other precautions of the drug.

3.

Labeled instructions. Such instructions refer to labels made of paper or other materials attached to product packaging or directly attached to the product. The most common ones are labels on ready-made garments, which indicate the name of the garment, fabric composition, size, color and washing instructions.

4.

Instructions printed on the packaging. Some products have text descriptions printed directly on their outer packaging (boxes, cans, bottles, etc.). For example, many food and beverage text descriptions fall into this category, including product name, trademark, ingredients, net weight, storage and Shelf life, etc.

5 Function Editor

When people buy goods, they find that many products come with instructions for use. Those without instructions are often marked on the packaging: For example, some medicines " Take two tablets three times a day, before meals.” Another example is that some electrical appliances indicate that the voltage must be 220 volts, and even some instructions seem to be “nonsense”, such as “This product is for external use and must not be taken internally” and so on. The product instructions all record the purpose, usage conditions, usage methods, usage period, matters that should be paid attention to in use and storage, as well as the name, brand, model, etc. of the product, so that consumers can "search according to the picture" and choose the product that suits them. After purchasing the product, follow the instructions to use, keep and store the product correctly, such as "This product should be placed in a ventilated and cool place", so that consumers will not place it in a closed, hot and humid place, so as to ensure that the product is service life.

So, is the product instruction manual just to guide consumers to use the product correctly? In fact, the instruction manual also has its legal significance.

First of all, as the basis for determining the quality assurance obligations of producers and operators, the law stipulates that producers have the obligation to ensure the inherent quality of products, including express warranty obligations and implied warranty obligations. In fact, the use of goods The instruction manual is one of the express warranty obligations of the manufacturer and operator, and is a commitment made by the merchant to the consumer. In addition to implementing national mandatory standards (implied guarantees), producers and operators of goods should also agree on the quality and performance of the goods to consumers in the product instructions, which means that they must ensure that the goods produced by Guangcai meet the agreed upon requirements. The content must be consistent, otherwise, consumers have the right to demand price reductions, returns, compensation for losses, etc. For example, the cashmere content of a woolen sweater is marked as 100%, which is commonly known as "pure wool", or the instruction manual of a cordless phone indicates that "under normal use and without obstacles, the call can be maintained within 2 kilometers", etc., even though the cashmere content of 50% is also marked. A wool sweater that can make calls within 500 meters is also a cordless phone, but as long as the merchant makes this explicit statement, it should also assume the agreed quality obligations (2 kilometers of calls must be protected). If in fact it is a fly-blend woolen sweater or a cordless phone that cannot make calls normally after a distance of more than 500 meters, consumers can request price reductions, returns, etc.

Secondly, if the consumer fails to use it according to the instruction manual, it may be used improperly. The resulting losses are generally the responsibility of the consumer. For example: On July 5, 1993, a worker at a carton factory Feng used a gas water heater to take a bath. Because the water heater was not installed according to the instructions, it was poorly ventilated and lacked oxygen, causing him "gas poisoning". For this, he spent more than 3,000 yuan in rescue and medical expenses. Feng sued the court in anger. , upon investigation. It is indeed the accident caused by the user's failure to install according to the instruction manual. Therefore, although the consumer has the fact of damage, the manufacturer is not liable for compensation due to "improper use".

Therefore, when consumers purchase and use products, they should pay attention to the product instruction manual, so as to reduce abnormal use, extend the life of the product, promptly claim against the merchant's express warranty, and avoid damages caused by "improper use" If the product is damaged, especially for some flammable, highly toxic and other special products, do not be afraid of cumbersome operating procedures. You should strictly follow the product instructions for installation and operation to avoid such "bathing" troubles.

6 Requirements for editing

1. The target of the introduction must be clearly stated.

2. Explanations and introductions must be realistic.

3. The text should be concise and the numbers should be accurate.

4. It is better to present it in the form of clauses.

5. Supplemented by illustrations.

7 Notes for editing

1. A good instruction manual should play a role in guiding consumption, but some instructions fail to do this, such as introducing how to use it too simply, or The main point is unclear; some write down the functions in a very general way and lack specificity.

2. When describing the product, the important ones should be included. Tell consumers the key content. However, some product introductions only talk in general terms and fail to add more text on key and key issues.

3. The wording is inappropriate and often affects the expression effect due to ambiguous semantics.

4. Product manuals are required to be concise, but many manuals are afraid that users will not understand them, so they go to the trouble of talking about them in redundant terms and repeating sentences.

5. If food products are not marked with the production date or shelf life, customers will not buy them because they suspect they are expired, which will affect product sales.

8 Writing Method Editing

①Overview

The beginning of the product description often uses a summary method to briefly explain its properties and characteristics, and some even use the full text All in a general way.

To summarize is to grasp the main characteristics or main situations of things and give a concise explanation and brief summary.

②Statement

A statement is to say things in an orderly manner according to the order in which things need to be explained. But the purpose of the narrative is not to express the process, but to illustrate the method. The writing of the statement must be based on the consumer side, taking into account the convenience of customers and safety of use, etc., try to consider some problems that may occur during use, and make a more detailed introduction.

The extent to which the process needs to be described is determined based on the nature of the product and the specific circumstances of consumer use. If the method to be explained is more complicated, the product is more expensive, more dangerous, or easier to damage, etc., and consumers need to understand their operation or use process, the author should state it in detail, and even add illustrated pictures, Photos make it clear to consumers at a glance. This method of enhancing consumers' sense of trust and security

actually enhances the competitiveness of products.

③Explanation

Explanation, as the main method of product description, is determined by the characteristics of the product description. Product instructions are a medium to introduce products to readers, so they must be explained, focusing on the explanation of the nature, characteristics, functions, methods and methods of things.

Due to the different functions and usage of various products, the writing methods are naturally very different, but no matter which method is used, the purpose is to make the readers understand. Therefore, the writing language of product descriptions must be popular and accurate; the structure must be organized and orderly.

In principle, there are two main ways to arrange the structure of instructions:

a. Arrange the structure according to the order in which people understand things;

b. According to the characteristics of things internal relationship arrangement structure.

9 English Translation Features Editing

Vocabulary Features

The vocabulary in the instruction manual is relatively fixed and professional, and usually has fixed structural elements, such as name, model, function, and characteristics. , uses, precautions, etc. In addition, "patois", "jargon" or "slang" unique to a certain technical field will be frequently used.

Syntactic features

The instruction language is concise and easy to understand, and sentences are often condensed into nouns (or phrases). Passive sentences, imperative sentences, elliptical sentences, participles (prepositions) nouns, (modal verbs) be prepositional phrases, be

adjectives, prepositional phrases and other sentence patterns are often used.

For example, Gargle with product 2-5 minutes after brushing in the morning and

evening.(Gargle with product 2-5 minutes after brushing in the morning and evening.); It's reliable in usage.( Safe and reliable operation); Contraindications: None

Known. (Contraindications: not yet discovered)

Translation Principles

When translating, the function of explanation should be highlighted , the definition is accurate; strive to be concise, comprehensive and easy to understand; the language style is consistent with the original text; ensure the technical characteristics of the original text.

For example, Content display: TFT LCD and Chinese/English OSD make disc contents

clearer. (Content display: using color fluorescent display and TV screen to display Chinese and English, the disc information is clear at a glance .