This document provides guidance on describing processes. It discusses that a process description focuses on a series of actions. These actions can involve a human performer taking a conspicuous role or not. The description should include an introduction answering what, who, why, key steps, and purpose. It also discusses organizing the steps and details within each step. Stylistically, the active voice is generally best unless the performer is inconspicuous. Overall descriptions aim to help readers understand and visualize the process through clear explanations of each step in order.

1. DESCRIPTION OF A
PROCESS

3. PROCESS
is a series of actions, and
fundamentally the description of a
process is the description of action.
The action may be either one of two
types. One type is that in which
attention is focused on the
performance of a human being, or
possibly a group of human beings.

4.  A simple example is filing a
work piece by hand; in a
description of this process,
emphasis would fall naturally
upon the human skills required.
 The other type involves
action in which a human
operator either is not directly
concerned at all, or
inconspicuous. An instance is
the functioning of a contactor.

5. In describing almost any process,
regardless of types there are problems
that usually arises and these are:
1.) Adaptation of the
description to the reader
2.) Overall organization
3.) Use of illustrations

6.  As in the description of a mechanism, if the
reader wishes to use the description as a
practical guide, it becomes necessary for
the writer to give careful attention to every
detail.
 If the reader is interested only in acquiring a
general knowledge of the principles involved
and has no intention of trying to perform the
process or to direct its performance, the
writer should avoid many of the details and
emphasize the broad outlines of the
process.

7.  The fundamental organization of a
process description is simple,
consisting merely of an introduction
followed by a description of each step
in the process in the order in which
they occur.
 But this simplicity is usually marred by
the necessity of discussing the
equipment and the materials used.

8.  One is to lump it all together in a
section near the beginning;
 the other is to introduce each
piece of equipment and each bit of
material as it happens to come up
in the explanation of the steps in
the process.

9.  The advantage of confining the description of
equipment and materials to a single section
near the beginning is that such discussion
does not then interrupt the steps in the action
itself.
 This method is usually practical if the
equipment and materials are not numerous.
 If they happen to be so numerous or so
complex that the reader might have difficulty in
remembering them, the other method of taking
them up as they appear in the process is
preferable. The second method is by far the
more common.

10.  Introduction
 Equipment and Materials
 Step-by-step description of the action
 Conclusion (if necessary)

11. In the description wherein the operator takes a
conspicuous part, still the description is divided into;
introduction, step-by-step description, and conclusion.
 The Introduction
The introduction of the description of a
process is a comprehensive answer to the
question, “What are you doing?” An
answer to the question can be given by
answering still other questions, principally
the following:

12.  It is not always necessary to answer all
six questions, and it is not necessary
to answer them in the order in which
they happen to be listed. It will be
helpful to consider each question in
turn to get some notion of what is
needed to be done.

13.  Early in the report readers must be told
enough about what the process is, so that,
they can grasp the general idea. The way in
which this explanation is given depends
upon how much the readers are presumed
to know about the process, as well as upon
the nature of the process itself.
 “What is this process?” is simply a
problem of definition, and therefore the
use of comparison and of generalized
description is often particularly helpful.

14.  Very often the statement about
who performs the process will
appear as a natural or necessary
element in some other part of the
introduction. Often no statement is
required.

15.  It is absolutely necessary that the reader
know why the process is performed – what
its purpose is.
 Sometimes simply explaining what the
process is, or defining it, makes the purpose
clear.
 However, the purpose of a process may not
be clear from a statement of what it is or
how it is performed. Then it is necessary to
be quite explicit in stating its complete
purpose.

16.  The listing of the chief steps in the process is an
important part of the introduction. It is important
because it helps the reader understand the process
before the details of its execution are presented.
 Even more important is its function in telling the
reader what to expect in the material that follows. It is
a transitional device. It prepares the reader for what
lies ahead.
 The list of steps may appear as a formal list, with a
number or letter standing beside each step. If this
method seems too mechanical, the steps may be
stated in ordinary sentence form, with or without
numbers or letters. The steps should be discussed in
the order in which they are listed.

17.  The latter question calls for a specific
statement of purpose – the purpose of
including the description of this process in
the report of which it is a part. In other
words, readers will want to know why you
are asking them to take time to read your
description of the process. Be careful to
keep in mind the distinction between the
purpose you have in writing about it. These
are very different matters.

18.  ORGANIZATION
With the possible exception of the
discussion of equipment and materials, the
introduction to a description is followed
directly by a description of the chief steps in
the process. Two problems appear in
organizing the description of the chief steps.
One is how to organize the steps; the other
is how to organize the material within each
individual step.

19.  DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION
In describing the action, the writer must say
everything the readers need to know to
understand, perhaps even to visualize the process.
The omission of a slight detail may be enough
to spoil everything. Care should be taken not only
in connection with the details of what is done, but
also of how it is done.
The content of the description of a process is
governed by the reader’s need to comprehend
every step in the action.

20. Style
A discussion in style in the description of
a mechanism however would focus on the
problem of choice of the mood and voice of
the predicate, and of the noun or pronoun
used as a subject.
A good many possibilities exist, but three
are of special importance: the active voice
and indicative mood, the passive voice and
indicative mood, and the active voice and
imperative mood.

21.  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.

22.  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.

23.  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.

24.  1. The solderer holds the iron.
The process being described is one
that is performed by one person.
 2. The iron is held.
The description is intended as
general information rather than as a
guide for immediate action.
 3. Hold the iron.
The description is directed to
readers who know little about the
process.
All in all, the
three forms
(active
indicative,
passive
indicative, and
active
imperative) are
by far the most
useful. These
remarks refer
only to the type
of process in
which there is a
CONSPICUOUS
operator.

25.  1. Fixing the chief steps in mind (listing
them again might help)
 2. Recalling special points about
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

26.  The next is the process in which the human
agent is less conspicuous.
 Such processes may be of great magnitude.
They are distinguished by the fact that little
emphasis falls directly upon the performance of
a human being or beings.
 How does a transformer works? An answer to
this question would be the description of a
process; but in that description there would be
little need to mention the quality of the
performance of the operator.

27.  1. Emphasis is altogether on the action – on what
happens – and not on the operator and how the
operator performs certain actions.
 2. The presentation is usually (not always) in the
indicative, the passive indicative, or a combination
of the two. The imperative mood never appears.
 3. The terms “equipment” and “material” take on a
somewhat different meaning and significance.

28.  The three points just mentioned about the
process in which the performer is not
conspicuous rests on the same principles as
in the first process wherein the operator is
conspicuous.
 The main difference is that in the process
wherein the operator is inconspicuous the
imperative mood is never used obviously,
because the emphasis falls on the action
and not on the performer, that is why the
term “materials and equipments” takes a
different meaning because it is now the
performer of the action.

31. Group 2:
ELMA P. JAGOLINO
CONCHITA A. TULIAO
ELDEA B. TRONO
SWEDEN B. TROMPETA
JUBEL MAE T. TUPAS
JOURDAN ISAAC T. TANALEON
MARY JOY M. LUSTRIA
Presented to:
FELICIDAD V. LOPEZ, Ed.D
Asso. Professor 2