Technical Descriptions Technical descriptions are usually a description of one of the following: An object (aka a product) A process Technical descriptions describe either what something is (exactly), or how something works.

How to organize a process description Introduction –Include a formal definition of the process –Define the scope and purpose of the document Brief Description/Overview –Provide a concise overview of the process –Provide background information –Conclude by breaking the process up into its parts Step-by-step description –Define the step –State its purpose –Define and describe substeps –Proceed from step one to step two to step three... Summary –Include a complete cycle of the process and remind the reader of the process’s end result

Remember the difference between a process description and instructions: –A process description informs the reader, but doesn’t provide the reader with enough or the kind of information that would enable to reader to actually do the process. Someone reads a process description to learn. –Instructions tell the reader how to do something. Someone reads a process description to do.

Object Description, Process Description or Instructions? How a thunderstorm forms An HP Deskjet 3845 How an HP Deskjet 3845 works How a bill becomes a law How to write legislation MSU’s campus How to change a flat tire Creating bassoon reed blanks

All Together Now Think of a process that could require a description. Write the name of that process on a piece of paper to give to me. We’ll work together to figure out how to write a technical description of that process.