writing process descriptions

writing

DESCRIPTIONSPROCESS DESCRIPTIONSPROCESS writing

OUTCOMES

OUTCOMESRecognize the correct organization

of a process description

OUTCOMESIdentify the key components of an

effective introduction

OUTCOMESDescribe each stage in a process

correctly

OUTCOMESWrite an appropriate conclusion

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

A general, step-by-step description of how a process happens

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

It does not tell the reader what to do but describes how something

happens

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

consists of four main parts

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

Clear Title

Start with a clear title that precisely states the topic.

Start with the word “How”

How a Wind Turbine Generates Electricity

e.g.

Introduction

Definiton

Intended Audience

Prior Knowledge

Brief Overview

Special Conditions

Definitions

Preview of Stages

Definiton

Intended Audience

Prior Knowledge

Brief Overview

Special Conditions

Definitions

Preview of Stages

Start with a definition of the process you’re describing

Definiton

Intended Audience

Prior Knowledge

Brief Overview

Special Conditions

Definitions

Preview of Stages

Explain the intended audience and the purpose of the description

Definiton

Intended Audience

Prior Knowledge

Brief Overview

Special Conditions

Definitions

Preview of Stages

Mention any prior knowledge the reader will need in order to understand the description.

Definiton

Intended Audience

Prior Knowledge

Brief Overview

Special Conditions

Definitions

Preview of Stages

Provide a brief overview of what happens during the process

Definiton

Intended Audience

Prior Knowledge

Brief Overview

Special Conditions

Definitions

Preview of Stages

Mention any special conditions that are needed for the process to happen

Definiton

Intended Audience

Prior Knowledge

Brief Overview

Special Conditions

Definitions

Preview of Stages

Give a definition of any ambiguous terms or terms that reader may not know

Definiton

Intended Audience

Prior Knowledge

Brief Overview

Special Conditions

Definitions

Preview of StagesMention any special conditions that are needed for the process to happen

A turbine is a machine that spins around in a moving fluid (liquid or gas) and catches some of the energy passing by. A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into electrical energy. In the same way that a windmill can harness the power of the wind to grind wheat or pump water, a modern wind turbine uses the wind to provide the energy we need rot run our homes and our businesses.

This description is intended to describe to a non-technical audience the basic process of how wind turbines convert wind into electricity.

To operate, a wind turbine needs rotors (blades), a gearbox, a generator and a tower. It also needs adequate wind. Wind Power Density (WPD) is derived from a combination of wind speed, wind sustainability, turbulence, height above the ground and a number of other factors. Depending on their size, turbines need wind speeds of between 12 and 45 miles per hour in order to generate electricity.

The top part of the turbine rotates so that the blades are facing the wind. a combination of a gearbox and a generator then turn the power of the wind into electricity which is stored in a nearby substation to be used when it is needed.

Special Terms

Nacelle: main body of the turbine which contains a gearbox and a generator Anemometer: instrument that measures wind speed

The major steps explained here are: 1. Capturing the wind 2. Converting the power 3. Providing electricity

e.g.

A turbine is a machine that spins around in a moving fluid (liquid or gas) and catches some of the energy passing by. A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into electrical energy. In the same way that a windmill can harness the power of the wind to grind wheat or pump water, a modern wind turbine uses the wind to provide the energy we need rot run our homes and our businesses.

This description is intended to describe to a non-technical audience the basic process of how wind turbines convert wind into electricity.

To operate, a wind turbine needs rotors (blades), a gearbox, a generator and a tower. It also needs adequate wind. Wind Power Density (WPD) is derived from a combination of wind speed, wind sustainability, turbulence, height above the ground and a number of other factors. Depending on their size, turbines need wind speeds of between 12 and 45 miles per hour in order to generate electricity.

The top part of the turbine rotates so that the blades are facing the wind. a combination of a gearbox and a generator then turn the power of the wind into electricity which is stored in a nearby substation to be used when it is needed.

Special Terms

Nacelle: main body of the turbine which contains a gearbox and a generator Anemometer: instrument that measures wind speed

The major steps explained here are: 1. Capturing the wind 2. Converting the power 3. Providing electricity

definition

audience

special conditions

overview

special terms

stages

e.g.

Stages in the Process

Each stage in is a process in itself.

The description of each stage should be a miniature process

description.

Definition

Special Conditions

Process

Sub-stages

Definition

Special Conditions

Process

Sub-stages

Start with a definition by explaining the overall change or effect of the stage.

Definition

Special Conditions

Process

Sub-stages

Mention any conditions that are needed for this stage to work (e.g. what should have happened in previous stages)

Definition

Special Conditions

Process

Sub-stages

Give a step-by-step explanation of what happens during the stage

Definition

Special Conditions

Process

Sub-stagesIf the stage is divided into sub-stages, discuss each one in turn with a separate sub-heading.

Always describe the stages of the process in the chronological order.

H

Converting

Converting is the stage at which the kinetic wind energy is changed into electric energy that can be used by people. As the rotors spin around slowly (capturing the kinetic power of the wind), they turn the central drive shaft. Inside the nacelle, the gearbox then converts the low-speed rotation of the central shaft (approx. 16 rpm) into a high-speed rotation (1600 rpm) fast enough to drive the generator efficiently. Next, the generator, which is located behind the gearbox, takes the kinetic energy from the spinning drive shaft and converts it into electrical energy.

e.g.

Converting

Converting is the stage at which the kinetic wind energy is changed into electric energy that can be used by people. As the rotors spin around slowly (capturing the kinetic power of the wind), they turn the central drive shaft. Inside the nacelle, the gearbox then converts the low-speed rotation of the central shaft (approx. 16 rpm) into a high-speed rotation (1600 rpm) fast enough to drive the generator efficiently. Next, the generator, which is located behind the gearbox, takes the kinetic energy from the spinning drive shaft and converts it into electrical energy.

heading

definition

what happens

e.g.

Use sequence words to show the order of events

Converting

Converting is the stage at which the kinetic wind energy is changed into electric energy that can be used by people. As the rotors spin around slowly (capturing the kinetic power of the wind), they turn the central drive shaft. Inside the nacelle, the gearbox then converts the low-speed rotation of the central shaft (approx. 16 rpm) into a high-speed rotation (1600 rpm) fast enough to drive the generator efficiently. Next, the generator, which is located behind the gearbox, takes the kinetic energy from the spinning drive shaft and converts it into electrical energy.

e.g.

e.g.

Converting

Converting is the stage at which the kinetic wind energy is changed into electric energy that can be used by people. As the rotors spin around slowly (capturing the kinetic power of the wind), they turn the central drive shaft. Inside the nacelle, the gearbox then converts the low-speed rotation of the central shaft (approx. 16 rpm) into a high-speed rotation (1600 rpm) fast enough to drive the generator efficiently. Next, the generator, which is located behind the gearbox, takes the kinetic energy from the spinning drive shaft and converts it into electrical energy.

Conclusion

Summary

Complete Cycle

Summary

Complete Cycle

Summarize the description by reminding the reader of the stages.

Summary

Complete CycleGo through one complete cycle of the process by briefly describing what happens at each stage.

e.gConclusion Wind turbines convert the kinetic power of the wind into electrical power that can be used by people in three major stages; 1) capturing the wind, 2) converting kinetic energy into electrical energy and 3) providing energy to homes and buildings.

Instruments attached to the turbine measure the speed and direction of the wind so that the rotors can turn to face directly into it. The wind causes the rotors to spin which turns the central shaft they are mounted on. A gear box increases the speed of the revolution until it is fast enough to power a generator. The generated electrical energy is then transported down the tower and through a transformer to an electrical substation which provides the energy to nearby communities.

e.gConclusion Wind turbines convert the kinetic power of the wind into electrical power that can be used by people in three major stages; 1) capturing the wind, 2) converting kinetic energy into electrical energy and 3) providing energy to homes and buildings.

Instruments attached to the turbine measure the speed and direction of the wind so that the rotors can turn to face directly into it. The wind causes the rotors to spin which turns the central shaft they are mounted on. A gear box increases the speed of the revolution until it is fast enough to power a generator. The generated electrical energy is then transported down the tower and through a transformer to an electrical substation which provides the energy to nearby communities.

summary

complete cycle

Review

End of LessonEnd of Lesson