To: Nancy Myers

From: Spencer Mullaley

Date: April 21, 2022
Subject: APLED 121-Chapter 14 Summary

CHAPTER 14
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS AND PROCESS ANALYSES

Define Technical Descriptions- Technical description is a part-by-part depiction of the components of a

mechanism, tool, or piece of equipment.
Types of Technical Descriptions
• Operations Manuals- Operations manuals help users construct, install, operate, and service the
equipment.
• Product Demand Specifications- The company can write a product demand specifying its exact
needs.
• Study Reports Provided by Consulting Firms- Companies hire consulting engineer firms to study
a problem and provide a descriptive analysis.
• Construction Design- Architectural companies must clarify the construction design for the city
and the clients. Once the description is written and drawn, the architectural company will use
the text and graphics for a variety of purposes. For example:
✓ Presentations of the design to a city or homeowner’s association
✓ Change of zoning
✓ Special use permits
✓ Re-platting of the site
• Sales Literature- Describe the product. Common descriptions are in:
✓ Sales letters
✓ Proposals
✓ Web sites
Definition of Process Analysis- A process analyst is comparable to an instruction. Instructions provide a
step-by-step explanation of how to do something. It describes how something works.
Examples of Process Analysis- A discussion of process is a common part of many technical descriptions:
✓ Engineering
✓ Automotive sales
✓ Biomedical technology
Criteria for Writing Technical Descriptions and Process Analyses
• Title- Preface your text with a title precisely stating the topic.
• Overall Organization- In the introduction, specify and define your topic and explain the topic’s
function, capabilities, or processes. Including a list of components, parts, or equipment can be
helpful. Describe the mechanism’s components and how the process works.
• Highlighting Techniques- Using highlighting can be an easy way to callout parts and
descriptions.
The Writing Process at Work
• Prewriting- Gather data using brainstorming/listing and then provide a list.
• Writing- Draft a technical description. Focus on overall organizational, highlighting, detail, and a
hand-drawn graphic. Then have your colleagues read and suggest revisions.
• Rewriting- Incorporate suggestions and prepare the finished copy.