Content structure

Descriptive writing gives information, not instructions. 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 

- A note in a procedure. 

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Rule 6.1 Give information gradually.

In a descriptive text, give information gradually and make sure that each sentence contains only one topic. If you give too much information too quickly, your text will be difficult to understand and it will be necessary for the reader to read it again.

Example:

First version (Non-STE)

Instrument Landing System

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.

The improved version that follows shows you how you can use short sentences and key words to write a text clearly.

Improved version (STE)

Instrument Landing System
The Instrument Landing 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 is aligned 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 pointers in the course indicators show the pilot in which direction the aircraft must go:
- Left or right (for the localizer)
- Up or down (for the glideslope). 
This data about deviations from the localizer course and glideslope path comes from two VHF transceivers. These transceivers transmit this data to Air Traffic Control.

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

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