The principles of diffraction analysis as applied to neutron scattering are summarized. Angular distribution data from the elastic scattering of 14 MeV neutrons incident on targets over a mass range from A = 12 to A = 238 are parametrized using an expansion of terms containing Bessel functions as suggested by simple diffraction theory. Curve fits are obtained using fewer terms than with Legendre expansions since the Bessel function terms are based on a physical model and have a natural line shape resembling the measurements. The diffraction analysis method offers an alternative to the limitations inherent in non-physically based methods and to the complexity intrinsic to nuclear optical model calculations.