Module 5: Process and Description
Posted By: Vivian D. Peremacio
Sources: 1. http://www.mhhe.com/mayfieldpub/tsw/pd-proc.htm

                2. http://www.suite101.com/content/example-of-a-process-analysis-paragraph-

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Process

Use process in paragraphs to develop sequences that describe how an action is carried out orhow something works. The following paragraph shows a typical sequential treatment of a generalphysical phenomenon. Note the concentration of process verbssuch as to find, samples, sums, and provides.

EXAMPLE #1:

Ideally, an image should contain a region of high-intensity pixels that form the target,and a low-intensity background. To find the target region, the algorithm first samples the images in overlapping windows and sums the pixel intensities contained in each window. The window with the highest sum is assumed to contain the target, and the average of the remaining windows is assumed to be indicative of the background level. Thus, subtracting the average of the window sums from the highest window sum provides a measure of the target strength over the background noise level. If an image does not contain a target, then the different between the highest sum and the average sum will be very small. The difference will also be small for images containing faint targets and high levels of background noise.

--M. Menon, E. Boudreau, and P. J. Kolodzy, "An Automatic Ship Classification System forISAR Imagery," Lincoln Laboratory Journal

A more rigid process description, filled with technicalterminology, may become experimental protocol, as follows:

EXAMPLE #2:

Isolation of RNA

The homogenate was extracted twice at 4°C with buffer-equilibrated phenol; the first extraction was 1 hr. long and the second, 15 min. Two volumes of ethanol:m-cresol (9:1, by volume), added to the aqueous phase, precipitated total RNA overnight at 4°. The RNA precipitate was collected by centrifugation, washed successively with 70% and 95% ethanol, and dried over CaSO4 under vacuum. The RNA was dissolved in 0.015 MNaCl:0.0015 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0, and the absorbance at 260 nm was determined . . .

--C. M. King et al., "Comparative Adduct Formation of 4-aminobipheynl," Cancer Research

Elements of a Process  Paragraph:

Process Analysis paragraphs contain a number of elements that are indispensable in this kind of writing:

• Chronology – all actions are described in a step-by-step manner which means that the order of in which subsequent actions are described is analogical to the order in which those actions are to be performed;
• Clarity – the instruction is concise and uses simples language. Process analysis paragraphs, if composed correctly, will never be written in a descriptive or subjective language and will also avoid opinion-based stances;
• Explanation – the paragraph explains how a particular result can be achieved.

In order to write good paragraphs, you need to know how paragraphs are constructed and what types of paragraphs can be used in writing. Check out the Writing Paragraphs section for full information on the subject-matter. Consult Academic Writing Skills section for more information on the proper use of language in essays and paragraphs as well as try out several interactive exercises.

Description

Use descriptive prose to provide a physical picture or a functional view of the subject. Physical description develops a picture by identifying the shapes, materials, position, and functions of its subject. Such prose often serves as the raw material for more elaborate forms of analytical prose.

STEPS:

1. Divide a piece of paper into three columns. Label the first column "Adjectives," the middle column "Nouns," and the right hand column "Simile/Metaphor.
2. Create a list of ten nouns ("First") based on a person, an object, or an event. Begin listing nouns from the top left and move down to the right.
3. Create a list of adjectives ("Second"): two adjectives describing each noun.
4. Create a list of similes or metaphors ("Third") for two of the nouns.
5. Weave sentences together into a full paragarph of no less than eight sentences.
6. Edit each sentence into a more pleasing sentence structure.
7. Continue the editing process making sure that all requirements of the assignment are met.

EXAMPLE #1:

Boundary-Layer Test Section

The test section (0.86 m × 2.44 m) of the boundary layer tunnel, as shown in Figure 2, issituated between the nozzle and the diffuser. It consists of a flat aluminum test plate, acontoured wall, and two transparent side walls. A bleed-scoop layer at the leading edge of thetest plate removes the inlet boundary layer. The contoured wall opposite the test plate generatesthe required pressure distribution. The two differently-contoured walls used in this investigationgenerate either squared-off pressure distribution or aft-loaded pressure distribution.

These distribution shapes . . .

--O. P. Sharma et al., "Boundary Layer Development on Turbine Airfoil Suction Surfaces,"Transactions of the ASME

Study Questions:

1. What is a paragraph by process?

2. What are the elements of a paragraph by process?

3. What is a paragraph by description?

4. What are the steps in making a paragraph by description?