# Page 89–92 of 434

> **Source:** ASD-STE100 Issue 9, January 2025
> **Pages:** 89–92 of 434

# Page 89 of 434

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# Page 90 of 434

## Section 6 - Descriptive writing

### Summary of the rules

- **Content structure**
  - Rule 6.1: Give information gradually.
  - Rule 6.2: Use key words and key phrases to give your text a logical structure.
- **Sentences**
  - Rule 6.3: Write short sentences. Use a maximum of 25 words in each sentence.
- **Paragraphs**
  - Rule 6.4: Use paragraphs to show related information.
  - Rule 6.5: Make sure that each paragraph has only one topic.
  - Rule 6.6: Make sure that no paragraph has more than six sentences.

### Content structure

Descriptive writing gives information, not instructions. Thus, the imperative form of the verb is not permitted.

Descriptive writing can be:

- A description of an item, a product, a system, or a component, its function, how it is made and how it operates
- A text that gives general information (for example, reports, brochures, and papers)
- A note in a procedure.

### Rule 6.1 Give information gradually.

In a descriptive text, give information gradually and make sure that each sentence contains only one subject. If you give too much information too quickly, your text will not be easy to understand, and it will be necessary for the reader to read it again.

**Example:**

> **Non-STE:** <mark>Instrument Landing System</mark>
>
> During the approach to the runway, deviation pointers in the course indicators give commands to fly up or down and left or right. This information comes from the VHF transceivers, which are part of the Instrument Landing System. This helps the pilot during the landing approach. When the pilot responds to the commands, the aircraft can be flown over the runway centerline (localizer) and at a fixed angle (glideslope) to the runway threshold. The localizer signals are processed by the transceiver and data are transmitted to Air Traffic Control.

# Page 91 of 434

The STE text that follows shows how you can use short sentences to write a clear text that gives information gradually. Each sentence contains only one subject in underlined texts.

> **STE:** <mark>Instrument Landing System</mark>
>
> The Instrument Landing System (the system) on the aircraft shows data that helps the pilot during the approach to the runway. This system shows the pilot the deviations from the localizer course and the glideslope path. The localizer course aligns with the centerline of the runway. And the glideslope path is at a constant angle to the threshold of the runway. During the approach to the runway, deviation <u>pointers in the course indicators show the pilot in which direction the aircraft must</u> go:
> - Left or right (for the localizer)
> - Up or down (for the glideslope).
>
> <u>This data about deviations from the localizer course and glideslope path comes</u> from two VHF transceivers. These transceivers transmit this data to Air Traffic Control.

The STE text is divided into two paragraphs and has a logical structure:

- The first paragraph has five sentences.
- The second paragraph has two sentences.

### Rule 6.2 Use key words and key phrases to give your text a logical structure.

<u>Key words are words that occur in a text to connect different ideas, and key phrases are phrases</u> that have the same function.

These key words and key phrases show how information in a text is related and give the text a logical structure.

You can also use connecting words and connecting phrases to help the reader understand the logical flow of ideas in the text. Connecting words and connecting phrases have the function of traffic signs, which tell the reader if the information is new, different, or a result of previous information. Examples of approved connecting words are: "and," "but," "then," "thus," and examples of connecting phrases are "as a result," and "at the same time."

The example that follows is the STE text of the example for rule 6.1. In the text, you can see how the underlined key words and key phrases connect sentences and their related ideas. This makes the text much easier to read and understand.

When you use key words and key phrases, make sure that you do not change them in your text. The same terminology will keep your text clear and correct.

# Page 92 of 434

**Example in STE:**

| Sentence 1 | Sentence 2 |
|------------|------------|
| The Instrument LandingSystem(the system) on the aircraftshowsdata that helps thepilot during the approach to the runway. | Thissystem shows thepilotthe deviations from the localizer course and the glideslope path. |

Sentence 2 uses the key words "system," "show," and "pilot" again to add more information about sentence 1.

| Sentence 2 | Sentences 3 and 4 |
|------------|-------------------|
| This system shows the pilot the deviations from thelocalizer courseand theglideslope path. | Thelocalizer coursealigns with the centerline of the runway. And theglideslope pathis at a constant angle to the threshold of the runway. |

Sentences 3 and 4 use the key words "localizer course" and "glideslope path" again and add new information.

| Sentence 3 | Sentence 4 |
|------------|------------|
| The localizer course aligns with the centerline of therunway. | And the glideslope path is at a constant angle to the threshold of therunway. |

Sentences 3 and 4 also include the key word "runway," which refers back to sentence 1.

| Sentences 3 and 4 | Sentence 5 |
|-------------------|------------|
| Thelocalizercourse aligns with the centerline of therunway.And theglideslopepath is at a constant angle to the threshold of therunway. | During the approach to therunway, deviation pointers in the course indicators show the pilot in which direction the aircraft must go:<br>- Left or right (for thelocalizer)<br>- Up or down (for theglideslope). |

Sentence 5 also connects to the previous sentences 3 and 4 with the key word "runway" again. Then, sentence 5 gives more information about the function of indicators for the localizer and the glideslope.

| Sentence 2 | Sentence 5 |
|------------|------------|
| This systemshows the pilotthedeviations from thelocalizercourse and theglideslope<br>path. | During the approach to the runway,deviation pointers in the course indicatorsshow the pilot<br>in which direction the aircraft must go:<br>- Left or right (for thelocalizer)<br>- Up or down (for theglideslope). |

Key words and key phrases (for example, "show(s) the pilot") give a logical connection between sentences 2 and 5.
