General to specific or deductive logical order . . . is the most common logical organisation used in technical communication. This logical pattern involves the process of moving from a general statement, premise, principle, or law to specific details. Technical writers and speakers find this logical sequence quite helpful in organising short informative talks and presentations, technical descriptions of objects and processes, classificatory information, and so on. . . .
"General to specific organisation follows a direct approach. It leaves very little to the imagination of readers or listeners because the writer/speaker makes everything clear in the beginning itself. Generalisations help readers/listeners to understand the details, examples, and illustrations quickly."
(M. Ashraf Rizvi, Effective Technical Communication. Tata McGraw-Hill, 2005)
- "Now, once the tide is low, you are ready to begin crabbing. Drop your lines overboard, but not before you have tied them securely to the boat rail. Because crabs are sensitive to sudden movements, the lines must be slowly lifted until the chicken necks are visible just below the surface of the water. If you spy a crab nibbling the bait, snatch him up with a quick sweep of your scoop. The crab will be furious, snapping its claws and bubbling at the mouth. Drop the crab into the wooden crate before it has a chance to get revenge. You should leave the crabs brooding in the crate as you make your way home.