14 slides with definitions

1. Process Analysis
Notes and Definitions

2. Defining “process”
We can define a process as a set of steps
or occurrences which, when completed,
result in a discernable outcome. (When
you do these three things, your rice always
comes out perfect, or when the events A,
B, and C occur, the result is X).

3. Processes come
in 4 types:

4. 4 types of processes
Linear (has a fixed beginning and
ending step, and a fixed order in which
intermediate steps occur or are completed).
Examples might include:
o assembling a tractor transmission
o following a recipe to cook a dish
o building a model airplane

5. 4 types of processes
Cyclical (has no fixed beginning or ending step, but
it does have a fixed order in which intermediate
steps occur or are completed). Examples might
include:
o The water cycle (evaporation, condensation,
precipitation, etc)
o Breathing
o Circulation of blood through the body
o Performing assembly line work or running a
printing or photocopy machine

6. 4 types of processes
Organic (has a fixed beginning and ending step, but
a variable or unfixed order in which intermediate
steps occur or are completed). Examples might
include:
o Buying a used car or a computer
o Cleaning out a garage
o Making a friend
o Responding to racial slurs or prejudicial
remarks

7. 4 types of processes
Recursive (has a fixed beginning and ending step, and a
clear order in which intermediate steps occur or are
completed, but portions of the process my need to be
repeated more than once before the entire process is
completed). Examples might include:
o Writing an essay
o Applying barbeque sauce and turning chicken
or ribs on the pit
o Washing greens or your hair (lather, rinse,
repeat)

8. Defining “analysis”
Analysis is
• breaking down a subject of study or
scrutiny into its component elements or
parts and
• studying how the elements relate to each
other and come together to comprise the
whole.

9. Purpose of analysis
The purpose is to better understand
the subject of study.
This definition works for different
kinds of analysis—chemical,
psychological literary, and process, to
name a few.

10. Defining “process analysis”
So process analysis involves
• identifying a process and determining its
component steps or subparts (maybe
occurrences or phenomena that happen
in a natural process, say)
• in order to better understand how it
works, occurs, or is completed.

11. We can note 2 types of process analysis:

12. Types of process analysis
Directional process analysis is writing that tells the
reader how to do something (the writer intends to
provide the reader with a set of instructions to
follow in order to complete the process). Examples
may include:
o a recipe
o a set of directions for putting together a model
airplane
o a book telling the reader how to get out of
debt

13. Types of process analysis
Informational process analysis is writing that
teaches the reader something about a process (the
writer intends to explain for the reader how a
process happens). Examples may include:
o an astronomy text telling how the big bang
happened
o a brochure telling how guaranteed-all-organic
foods are grown and handled)
o a psychology textbook explaining how children
develop emotionally during adolescence

14. Application Activity:
For each of the essays in the book,
identify:
• the process being analyzed
• the kind of process it is
• the kind of process analysis it is
• the point of the essay
• the writer’s purpose(s)
• any supplementary or secondary
“supporting” modes or strategies of
writing