To: Nancy Myers

From: Dmitrii Iapara

Date: October 10, 2022
Subject: APLED 121-Chapter 14 Technical Description and Process Analyses.

CHAPTER 14
Technical Description and Process Analyses

Define Technical Description – A Technical Description is a description of elements of a mechanism,

tool, or piece of equipment. Technical descriptions are important characteristics of technical
communication.

Types of Technical Description

• Operations Manuals – Every package of a mechanism, tool, or piece of equipment contains an

operational manual. These manuals usually help users to install, construct, operate and service
the equipment. Operations manuals contains also technical descriptions of the product.
• Product Demand Specification – Companies sometimes need tools or equipment that does not
exist on the market. To buy this type of equipment the company usually makes a list with
specifications of the product needed.
• Study Reports Provided by Consulting Firms – Sometimes when problems arise companies hire
consulting firms to study the problem or to make a descriptive analysis. The resulting study
report is used as specification solution to the problem.
• Construction Design – Before building any structures, architectural companies must define the
construction design for the city and the clients. After technical descriptions and specifications
are written and drawn the architectural firm can proceed to obtain city approval.
• Sales Literature – In order to make profit companies must sell their products. That is why each
product or equipment has a description. Such descriptions are common in sales letters,
proposals, and on websites.

Definition of Process Analysis – A process analysis is similar to an instruction. Instructions provide a

step-by-step explanation of how to do something. In an instruction the audience wants to know how to
do the job. In contrast a process analysis focuses on how something works.
Examples of Process Analyses

• Engineering – Dubai plans to develop several islands on its coast to attract tourists. Your
engineering company was hired to build bridges to connect the islands to the coastline. To
clarify which type of bridge will be the best option you provide a PowerPoint presentation.
• Automotive sales – A customer wants to buy a new car; he is concerned about the
environment. He wants a hybrid car however he does not understand how hybrids work. Your
job is to explain how these cars work.
• Biomedical technology – Diabetes is a health problem in the US, that affects approximately20.8
million Americans. You and a team of scientists are working on a new treatment for diabetes.
The research is ongoing, and the treatment has enormous potential. You are writing a proposal
for additional funding for research in which you explain how diabetes affects patients and how
to treat this disease.

Criteria for Writing Technical Description and Process Analyses

• Title – Name your text precisely stating the topic. Use the name of the mechanism, tool,
equipment, product, or service you are describing or analyzing.
• Overall Organization – Define and specify your topic in the introduction and explain functions,
capabilities, or processes. You can also include components, parts, or equipment.
• Highlighting Techniques – To help better understanding and easy access use headings,
itemization, and graphics such as: drawings, schematics CAD/CAM drawings, photographs,
architectural renderings, exploded views, or sectional cutaways.

The Writing Process at Work

• Prewriting – Gather data by brainstorming.

• Writing – Draft a technical description, focus on organization, highlighting, and detailing.
• Rewriting – rewrite as final copy.