DESCRIPTION

OF A
PROCESS
TECHNIQUE #3
 According to Cambridge
Dictionary, a process is “a
series of actions that you take
What is in order to achieve a result.”
a
process? Process description can be
classified into
directional/instructional and
informational (Menoy, J.).
 are specifically written for an
audience to follow, step-by-step, to
complete a process” (Meyers, J.).

Directional Thus, it is written in imperative

or sentences or commands that
instructional addresses the doer of the action.

Also, it is written in the active

imperative style and the second
person point of view (Menoy, J.)
 are written to help the reader understand the complexities of a
process.

Take note that the reader here is not the doer or agent of the
Informational action/s.

process
descriptions Thus, it is written in the active or passive indicative style and the
third person point of view (Menoy, J.).

The need to provide the readers with background information

on how a process is or was accomplished makes informational
process description longer and more detailed than a set of
instructions. (Menoy, J.).
 Tendero, et.al. (2010) presents the
following outline for process description:
What is the I. Introduction
A. The process to be explained
flow of a B. Purpose of the process

process II. The chief steps in the process

III. Materials and equipment needed in the process
description? IV.Step-by-step description of the action
A.Step 1
B.Step 2
V.Conclusion (if necessary)
Materials
and • Here, you need to identify the
materials and equipment that would
Equipment be needed in the process. This is to
help condition the mind of the
Needed in reader.

the Process
Chief Steps or
Step-by-Step Description of the Action
As the main body of the description, you must write everything the readers need
to know to understand and to visualize the process. The following elements must
be considered in the description of the chief steps:
1. Organization. It is more important for you to thoroughly discuss the
organization within the description of the individual steps. This is because
each individual step constitutes a process in itself. Thus, you need to introduce
each individual step properly and divide it into substeps if necessary.
2. Description of the action. You must write everything to help your readers
understand and visualize the process. Always bear in mind your readers’ need
to comprehend every step when writing this part.
• S t y l e. You may want to apply your own writing style here but in process
descriptions there are three verb forms which are most useful: active indicative,
passive indicative and active imperative.
 Active Indicative
Sample Text The next step is the application of the solder to the
joint. This step requires the use of only the heated
iron (or copper), and a length of the rosin-core
solder. The solderer takes the iron in one hand and
the solderer in the other, and holds the iron steadily
against the wire joint for a moment to heat the wire.
Then he or she presses the solder lightly against the
joint, letting enough of it melt and flow over the wire
to form a coating about the entire joint.
Restatement of The solderer holds the iron.
the text.
Advantages It gives the reader a great visual.
Disadvantages It is likely to become monotonous.
Passive Indicative
The next step is the application of the solder to the
joint. This step requires the use of only the heated iron,
and a length of the rosin-core solder. The iron is held
steadily against the wire joint for a moment to heat the
wire. Then the solder is pressed lightly against the joint
until enough of it has melted and flowed over the wire
to form a coating about the entire joint.
The iron is held.
There is no problem about handling this hypothetical
operator.
The positiveness and aid to visualization of the active
voice are missing.
Active Imperative
The next step is the application of the solder to the
joint. This step requires the use of only the heated iron,
and a length of the resin-core solder. Take the iron in
one hand and the solder in the other, and hold the iron
steadily against the wire joint for a moment to heat the
wire. Now press the solder lightly against the joint. Let
enough of it melt and flow over the wire to form a
coating about the entire joint.
Hold the iron.
It is concise, easy to write, and a satisfactory guide for
immediate action.
It is not a description at all but rather a set of directions.
Conclusion
This is optional. It is not always necessary to write
a conclusion. However, there are times when the
reader needs help in the following matters:
1. Fixing the chief steps in mind.
2. Recalling special points about the equipment or
materials.
3. Analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of
the process.
4. Noting how this process is related to the other
processes or other work that is being done or
reported on.
(Description of a Process, 2010)