PROCESSPROCESSESSAYESSAY

LifeLife is ais a PROCESSPROCESS

ESSAYESSAY(cognitive & social development)(cognitive & social development)

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PROCESS ESSAYPROCESS ESSAY*BRIEF DEFINITION: the careful, detailed explanation of a

particular procedure

*TYPES of PROCESS-ANALYSIS: DIRECTIVE: how to perform a task

o *you will write this type of process essayo how to change of flat tire

INFORMATIVE: explain how something workso how the gulf stream works

TRAITSTRAITS

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Process Essay VS

First 3 Essays

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PROCESS ESSAY vs. PROCESS ESSAY vs. FIRST ESSAYSFIRST ESSAYS

*DESCRIPTIVE:

dominant impression sense details with similes (to support DI) arranged spatially pan like a camera

7PROCESS ESSAY vs. PROCESS ESSAY vs. FIRST ESSAYSFIRST ESSAYS

*ILLUSTRATIVE:

reasons, proof, examples supported by stats, anecdotes, instances arranged logically emphatic order—save the best for last

8PROCESS ESSAY vs. PROCESS ESSAY vs. FIRST ESSAYSFIRST ESSAYS

*NARRATIVE:

narrative details of a moralistic story arranged chronologically linear time sequence—beginning, middle,

end

9PROCESS ESSAY vs. PROCESS ESSAY vs. FIRST ESSAYSFIRST ESSAYS

*PROCESS-ANALYSIS ESSAY:

detailed steps in a process arranged chronologically step by step by step use description, narration, illustration use transitions between steps

AND…..

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YOU, YOU, YOUYOU, YOU, YOU* The Process Essay is the only one in which

you are directly addressing the reader, so get all the you’s out of your system now.

you, you, you, you, you “you are” “you’re” is NOT allowed (no contractions) “UR” is NOT allowed (no text-messaging

lingo) “your” is allowed

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POVPOV“YOU” 2ND-person POV directly addressing the reader

“I” 1st-person POV (*more informational process essay) speaking from personal experience (*more

Narrative)

“YOU” with “I” (*recommendation*) directly addressing the reader (“YOU”) offering personal examples for illustration (“I”) “For example, I prefer to add my fabric softener at

the end of the third cycle.”

INTRODUCTIOINTRODUCTIONN

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION**SCENARIO:

Create a context for this process What situation would dictate the reader

needing to know how to perform this task?

Why should the reader know how to do this activity?

purpose: answer the “so what?!” factor

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION*OVERVIEW:Now that you have gained our interest and

created a need by virtue of the scenario, now tell us exactly what we are in for in an overview of the entire process—

How many steps? What is the difficulty level? How long should it take? Divide into recognizable parts Describe the result (sense details; “After following

my easy, five-step process, you will have safely, properly changed your flat tire.”)

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION**PURPOSE STATEMENT: like a thesis statement what essay will concern why readers should do combine “overview” with your purpose to

get a thesis statement:

purpose: answer the “so what?!” factor

In six easy steps that should take you approximately ten minutes, you can create a new, exciting, flattering look for yourself.

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INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION *PURPOSE STATEMENT*

**DO NOT ANNOUNCE: Rather than “I am going to tell you how

to make this” OR “In this essay I will show you how,”

Write “If you follow this easy six-step process, you will be able to create…”.

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION*EXAMPLES OF CREATING A SCENARIO &

INTRODUCING THE TOPIC:

1) Have you ever been driving home late at night on a dark, deserted road out of cell phone range when you felt the car pulling sharply to one side and you heard the unmistakable thumping sound of a flat tire?

BODY’s 1st sentence: The first step in changing a tire is to….

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION*EXAMPLES OF CREATING A SCENARIO &

INTRODUCING THE TOPIC: 2) Girls, are you tired of being seen as only sex

objects? OR Feminism is dead, and women are now, more than ever, seen as simply sex objects. Girls, if that is how they are going to treat us, then we should use it to our advantage. One of the best instances to use, as Mama always said, “the gifts th’ Good Lord gave ya” is when you are pulled over by a police officer for a moving violation. I have three simple steps for getting out of a speeding ticket. (*from a student essay*)

BODY’s 1st sentence: The first step in getting out of a speeding ticket is to….

BODYBODY

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BODYBODY*COHERENCE:

*CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER*TRANSITIONS

o first, then, next,o * “First, get the….” AND “Next, use

the…” (vs.) “The first step is to…” AND “The next task involves…”

*SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONSo after, before

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: Transitions

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: TransitionsI. COHERENCE:

In the end, you want your essay to be a unified whole--a strong link chain, if you will.  Coherence, the technical term for this chain effect, points to not only the logical flow of ideas, but also the interconnectedness of ideas. In other words, coherence measures how well the ideas relate to each other.  This is where transitions come in:  they help build coherence.

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: TransitionsII. NO SENTENCE IS AN ISLAND. 

Incoherent writing is characterized by short, choppy, unrelated sentences.  The writer has not demonstrated any relationships between ideas:  each desert-island-sentence floats in the ocean-paragraph with no bridge connecting any of them.  Consequently, just like someone stranded on an island, the idea soon shrivels and dies.

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: Transitions Transitions are the bridges between

sentences that connect ideas and build a unified paragraph.  Some of the relationships they show include cause or effect, comparison or contrast, emphasis, sequence, and summary.   

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: Transitions When each paragraph becomes a

cohesive whole, then we use transitions to connect each of them, too.  In order to build a larger point throughout the essay, we can employ transitions between paragraphs to reference, contrast, or continue a previous idea.

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: Transitions Thus, the final essay represents a series

of associations, of relationships, of links--of bridges--between ideas.  Because of this interconnectedness, the writer's thesis is logical, sound, and coherent, and the reader can easily follow the course of the argument, crossing from one point to another.

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: Transitions To carry this metaphor to its (merciful)

conclusion:  transitions provide the valuable infrastructure necessary for a reader to travel uninterruptedly between each of the island-states (ideas), and the final unified essay created with them has become like a centralized form of government uniting a group of island-states under one flag (thesis, argument, point).

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: TransitionsIII. LINK:

Transitions provide links between the following:  o SENTENCES:  Also, the temperature of

the oven must be set on high to achieve this goal.

o PARAGRAPHS: Another reason I dislike Mondays involves highway traffic.

o SECTIONS:  As noted in the previous chapter, the theme of equivocation dominates Shakespeare's Macbeth.

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: TransitionsIV. FORMS:

Transitions often come in the following forms: o SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS:  since,

because, if, when, althougho COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS:  and, but,

yet, or, nor, for, soo PREPOSITIONS:  after, during, behind,

beyond, duringo ADVERBS:  once, never, always,

frequently

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: TransitionsV. Transitions for the Process-Analysis

Essay:Time and Sequence/Order

First, second, third Next, then, finally, lastly After, afterwards, following, At this time, at this point Simultaneously, concurrently Subsequently, while, meanwhile When, during, immediately, now, later, in

the future, earlier, sometimes, always, never, whenever, once

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: Transitions* Examples of transitions in a process essay:1) First, pull off the road a safe distance from

any possible traffic, and park on a flat surface.

2) Next, put the car in park and put on your emergency brake.

3) Then, after you activate your four-ways, you must gather all the necessary equipment, such as a flash light, crow bar, jack, and, of course, spare tire. All these items should be located in your trunk.

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: Transitions The latter sentence actually employs 2

chronological transitions: “then” and an introductory subordinate clause that begins with “after.” While both indicate time, the second allows you to put 2 steps into 1 sentence, and it tells you the order these 2 steps are to be performed.

Also, you noticed that these transitions appeared at the start of their sentences. Typically, this is good practice, for it enumerates each step and makes it easier for the reader to follow along. However, their position can be as fluid as that of most adverbs:

Pull off the road first, at a safe distance from traffic, and park on a flat surface.

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BODY: TransitionsBODY: TransitionsVI. Pitfalls of These Transitions:

1) The List: your essay resembles a recipe card on which your steps are numerically listed.o 1)o 2)o 3)

2) The Ad Naseam: you abuse the sequential transitions. “First, second, third, …twenty-third!”

3) The M*A*S*H Mistake: improper chronology

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M*A*S*H: M*A*S*H: “The Army-Navy “The Army-Navy

Game”Game” Set-up: An unexploded shell lands in the middle of the compound, and the surgeons have to disarm the weapon.

Henry, the commanding officer, reads directions from behind the cover of mattresses to the two surgeons.

Trapper and Hawkeye are the two

surgeons who have to “operate” on the bomb. At this point, they have successfully removed the access panel and are now at the infamous wire-cutting stage.

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M*A*S*H: M*A*S*H: “The Army-Navy Game”“The Army-Navy Game”

HENRY: "And carefully cut the wires to the fuse at the head.”

NARRATOR: Trapper cuts the wire.

HENRY: "But first remove the fuse.“

NARRATOR: Everyone exchanges panicked looks; Trapper listens to the bomb with a stethoscope.

TRAPPER: "Psst. Psst.”

HAWKEYE: "You spring a leak?“

TRAPPER: "It stopped ticking.”

HAWKEYE: "Let's get the hell out of here. We've only got 2 and a half minutes, maybe."

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M*A*S*H: M*A*S*H: “The Army-Navy Game”“The Army-Navy Game”

BOOM!

Luckily, it is only a CIA propaganda bomb.

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BODYBODY*STEP-BY-STEP: assume nothing presume your audience=NOVICES reader knows nothing about your topic reader has never performed this task

before

DIRECTIVE (how-to, technical writing) vs/

INFORMATIVE (close to narrative)

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BODYBODY*THIS IS AN ESSAY, SO…

*NO LISTS**NO RECIPES (keep in essay format)*do not forget the ARTICLES (a, an, the)*do not forget the INTRODUCTION &

CONCLUSION paragraphs

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BODYBODY*DETAILS:

* STEP #1: gather all materials 1st (items should NOT just magically appear in the middle of the process)

* “HOW EXACTLY” (don’t skip over steps; the devil is in the details)

use DESCRIPTIVE DETAILS since this is not necessarily a 5-

paragraph essay, group steps into related PHASES/STAGES

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BODYBODY*FLAVOR:

make PERSONAL SUGGESTIONS or PREFERENCES (if no specific brand/flavor is required) (i.e., amount of salt)

make TIPS (better use a pot holder) give SPECIFIC INSTANCE if “it depends” briefly explain the REASON for a step if it

is not obvious (do this to prevent a mess)

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BODYBODY*GRAMMAR:

spell “INGREDIENTS” correctly no “THINGS” (steps, tasks) (items, utensils) 350 degrees (not the symbol for degrees) medium-sized pan (hyphen, -ed) “THEN”=not a conjunction (use “, and

then”) COMMAS (“Introductory subordinate

clause,”) (between two I.C. joined by a C.C.) COLONS (“First, gather the following

ingredients: milk, sugar, and flour.”)

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

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CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION*CONSIDER THE PROCESS AS A WHOLE:

repeat/reference the PURPOSE of your process (why did you tell us how to do this) (scenario)

Process-as-a-whole: o #/difficulty of stepso *total TIME of processo *describe the FINISHED PRODUCT

(smells, taste, sight, feel, sound) CLINCHER SENTENCE

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LITMUS TESTLITMUS TEST

*** CAN THE READER DO IT? ***

TOPICSTOPICSrelated torelated to

cognitive & social developmentcognitive & social development

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TOPIC PROMPTSTOPIC PROMPTS*PERSONAL PROTECTION: How to handle inappropriate and/or

unwanted sexual advances at work, school, social setting

How to defend yourself if attacked How to determine that you are in and/or

how to leave an abusive relationship How to catch your significant other

cheating How to get a PFA How to win a custody battle

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TOPIC PROMPTSTOPIC PROMPTS*PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT: How to quit smoking How to determine that you have a

drug/alcohol problem AND how get help with it

How to deal with the death of a loved one How to start over How to begin a diet, exercise regiment How to train for your first 5k, 5-miler… How to perform a basic dance step How to find a new apartment/house

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TOPIC PROMPTSTOPIC PROMPTS*PERSONAL MAKE-OVER: How to give yourself a manicure, pedicure How to prepare a special bubble bath, facial How properly to wax, tan How to cut, treat, wash, perm, highlight

your hair How to have a tattoo removed How to select the best plastic surgeon for

your medically necessary condition How to buy a used or new car

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TOPIC PROMPTSTOPIC PROMPTS*PERSONAL EDIFICATION: Take Notes Study Prepare for a Test, Mid-Term or Final

Exam Prepare for a Job Interview Create a RÉSUMÉ Deal with Stress (in a healthy manner) Deal with a Death in the Family (and

school)

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TOPIC PROMPTSTOPIC PROMPTS*PERSONAL OCCUPATION: Job Orientation/Training As if you are training someone on his/her

first day on the job How to total the register, scan, waitress,

bus tables, prepare dishes, create a display, unload a truck, stock shelves, stack a pallet, bundle cardboard…

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TOPIC PROMPTSTOPIC PROMPTS*PERSONAL INDISCRETION: On the Dark Dark

SideSide: How to plagiarize (and not get caught) How to cheat on a test How to cheat on your significant other How to tell a lie How to commit the perfect crime/murder How to get out of a speeding ticket How to file for ARD How to fail a particular course

FINAL HINTSFINAL HINTS

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FINAL HINTSFINAL HINTS*REMEMBER, this is an essay and not a

recipe, SO…

essay format, no lists (does NOT look like a recipe card)

when gathering supplies, write as items in a series (not as a list, not as a recipe card)

“After doing that step, you will need to gather the following materials: x, y, and z.” (notice the colon after “the following”; do not use a colon after a Linking Verb)

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FINAL HINTSFINAL HINTS Commas, especially after “Intro Stuff” Less explanation and more direction

o Do not spend too much time justifying the step or the process at the expense of telling us how to actually perform the task

Introduction with process-as-a-whole Conclusion with process-as-a-whole

(time, number, difficulty of steps) and describe final product (sense details)

PREWRITINGPREWRITING

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PREWRITINGPREWRITING1) LISTS:

3 tasks done at work each time

3 technical/electrical/mechanical skills

3 tasks you have done for yourself lately

3 weekly chores

3 foods you like to make

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PREWRITINGPREWRITING2) STEPS:

Brainstorm.

List every step in the process.

Number the steps in chronological order.

List related sense details.

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PREWRITINGPREWRITING3) BEFORE YOU WRITE:

Do the process yourself.

Details are then fresh in your mind & you will not skip any steps.

Plus, suggestions make themselves apparent.

SAMPLE SAMPLE PROCESSESPROCESSES

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How to Change a Flat How to Change a Flat TireTire www.americredit.com/.../Learn2ChangeFlatTire.htmwww.americredit.com/.../Learn2ChangeFlatTire.htm

1

2

3

62How to Change a Flat How to Change a Flat TireTire

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6

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63How to Make How to Make MACARONI & CHEESEMACARONI & CHEESE

STEP#1

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STEP #2STEP #2

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STEP #3STEP #3

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STEP #4STEP #4

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STEP #5STEP #5

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STEP #6STEP #6

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STEP #7STEP #7

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CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

71OTHER OTHER PROCESSESPROCESSES

72OTHER OTHER PROCESSESPROCESSES

73HOW TO BE A HOW TO BE A STARSTARLOOK, SOUND, PLAY, SMELL, TALK or SING

COUNTRY,

BLUES,

ROCK’N’ROLL,

GOTH,

PUNK,

GRUNGE,

RAP,

HIP-HOP,

’80s HAIR BAND, ….

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TOPIC PROMPTS TOPIC PROMPTS *HOW TO:

SCHOOL:Take Notes StudyPrepare for a TestPrepare for a Job Interview Create a RÉSUMÉDeal with Stress (in a healthy manner)Deal with a Death in the Family

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TOPIC PROMPTSTOPIC PROMPTSPAMPER: give yourself a pedicure, make

Jane’s special bubble bath

CAR: change a tire, change brakes, change oil, change wiper blades, pump gas, drive standard/manual transmission (stick shift), buy used car/the perfect car for you

JOB: waitress/server, nurse’s aide, transfer patient, install carpet, customer service, job search, resume, interview, raise

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TOPIC PROMPTSTOPIC PROMPTSHAIR: wash, perm, color, treat, highlight

CLEAN: wash hair, clothes, car, dog; clean hamster cage, room, kitchen cabinets

MUSIC: how to read music, play specific chord, play specific riff from a song

OTHERS: plan a vacation, plant a garden, ice fish, follow the traditions of Islamic ablution, convert to Judaism

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TOPIC PROMPTSTOPIC PROMPTS*HOW TO: (Journal topics only)

KIDS: brush teeth, tie shoe laces, tie a tie

FOOD: make lasagna, spaghetti, German apple cake, cheeseburger, grilled cheese, PB&J, home-made Easter candy, dye Easter eggs, Jell-O shapes

SPORTS: play football (be specific: block, pass, punt, tackle); shoot foul shot, jump serve in volleyball, swim (specific stroke or dive)

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TOPICSTOPICS*HOW TO:

SCHOOL:Take Notes StudyPrepare for a TestPrepare for a Job Interview Create a RÉSUMÉDeal with Stress (in a healthy manner)Deal with a Death in the Family

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TOPICSTOPICS*HOW TO:

KIDS: brush teeth, tie shoe laces, tie a tie

FOOD: make lasagna, spaghetti, German apple cake, cheeseburger, grilled cheese, PB&J, home-made Easter candy, dye Easter eggs, Jell-O shapes

SPORTS: play football (be specific: block, pass, punt, tackle); shoot foul shot, jump serve in volleyball, swim (specific stroke or dive)

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TOPICSTOPICSPAMPER: give yourself a pedicure, make

Jane’s special bubble bath

CAR: change a tire, change brakes, change oil, change wiper blades, pump gas, drive standard/manual transmission (stick shift), buy used car/the perfect car for you

JOB: waitress/server, nurse’s aide, transfer patient, install carpet, customer service

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TOPICSTOPICSHAIR: wash, perm, color, treat, highlight

CLEAN: wash hair, clothes, car, dog; clean hamster cage

MUSIC: how to read music, play specific chord, play specific riff from a song

OTHERS: plan a vacation, plant a garden, ice fish, follow the traditions of Islamic ablution, convert to Judaism

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FINAL HINTSFINAL HINTS*REMEMBER, this is an essay and not a

recipe, SO…

essay format, no lists (does NOT look like a recipe card)

when gathering supplies, write as items in a series (not as a list, not as a recipe card)

“After doing that step, you will need to gather the following materials: x, y, and z.” (notice the colon after “the following”; do not use a colon after a Linking Verb)

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FINAL HINTSFINAL HINTSCommas, especially after “Intro Stuff”Less explanation and more direction

Do not spend too much time justifying the step or the process at the expense of telling us how to actually perform the task

Introduction with process-as-a-wholeConclusion with process-as-a-whole (time,

number, difficulty of steps) and describe final product (sense details)