To: Nancy Myers

From: Stephen Shaw

Date: 1/19/2022
Subject: Chapter 14 Summary

Chapter 14 Technical Descriptions and Process Analyses

Define Technical Descriptions: A part-by-part depiction of the components of a mechanism,
tool, or piece of equipment.
Types of Technical Descriptions:
 Operations Manuals: These are provided for instructions or help on what to do when
fixing a piece of equipment.
 Product Demand: Usually when a company doesn’t have a certain tool, they will write a
product demand specifying the exact needs of a tool.
 Specifications: The certain things the company wants a tool to do.
 Study Reports Provided by Consulting Firms: Companies will hire a consulting firm to
help them out with device they are skilled at.
 Construction Design: Prior to building, architectural companies must clarify the design
for the city and the clients.
 Sales Literature: Companies want to make a profit. The main way to market and spread
the word is to use advertising.
Definition of Process Analysis: Comparable to instructions, a process analysis will be different
as it focuses on not how to do something, but on how something works.
Examples of Process Analysis: Engineering, Automotive sales, and Biomedical technology.
Criteria for Writing Technical Descriptions and Process Analyses:
 Title: The name of the tool you are using.
 Overall Organization: Specifying and defining your topic and explaining its functions,
capabilities, or processes.
 Highlighting Techniques: Using headings, itemization, and graphics will aid to
understanding and allow easier access.
The Writing Process at Work:
 Prewriting: Preview your ideas.
 Writing: Writing your paper.
 Rewriting: Edit and revise it.