The Process EssayThe Process EssaySolano CollegeSolano College

Federle, English 1Federle, English 1

What is a process?What is a process?

A process essay A process essay explains how to do explains how to do something or how something or how something occurs.something occurs.

An obvious example An obvious example of process writing is a of process writing is a recipe.recipe.

Characteristics of Process WritingCharacteristics of Process Writing

Strict chronological orderStrict chronological order If the steps described are repeated, the same outcome should If the steps described are repeated, the same outcome should

always be achieved.always be achieved. Fixed order Fixed order Clarity extremely importantClarity extremely important Transitions essentialTransitions essential

Two Types of Process Writing Two Types of Process Writing

1.1. Instructions:Instructions:

– Enables readers to Enables readers to perform a processperform a process

– A recipe, a handout, an A recipe, a handout, an operating manual are operating manual are examples of instruction examples of instruction writing.writing.

– Use imperative mood.Use imperative mood.

– Subject of sentences is Subject of sentences is “you” understood; speak “you” understood; speak directly to reader.directly to reader.

2. Process Explanation2. Process Explanation

• Purpose is to help reader understand how a process is carried Purpose is to help reader understand how a process is carried out.out.

• Use either 1Use either 1stst person or 3 person or 3rdrd person; not second person or person; not second person or imperative mood.imperative mood.

• May be in present or past tense, depending on whether the May be in present or past tense, depending on whether the writer is explaining a process that takes place regularly or one writer is explaining a process that takes place regularly or one that occurred in the past, and on whether the writer or that occurred in the past, and on whether the writer or someone else carried out the process.someone else carried out the process.

First PersonFirst Person Third PersonThird Person

Present Present TenseTense

““After I place the chemicals in After I place the chemicals in the tray, I turn out the lights in the tray, I turn out the lights in the darkroom.”the darkroom.”

(habitual process performed (habitual process performed by the writer)by the writer)

““After photographers place the After photographers place the chemicals in the tray, they turn chemicals in the tray, they turn out the lights in the darkroom.”out the lights in the darkroom.”

((habitual process performed by habitual process performed by someone other than the writer)someone other than the writer)

Past Past TenseTense

““After I placed the chemicals After I placed the chemicals in the tray, I turned out the in the tray, I turned out the lights in the darkroom.”lights in the darkroom.”

((process performed in the past process performed in the past by the writer)by the writer)

““After the photographer placed After the photographer placed the chemicals in the tray, she the chemicals in the tray, she turned out the lights in the turned out the lights in the darkroom.” darkroom.”

(process performed in the past (process performed in the past by someone other than the by someone other than the writer)writer)

Using Process WritingUsing Process Writing

College writing for science, literature, history, College writing for science, literature, history, or any other subject.or any other subject.

Use process writing to persuade or to inform.Use process writing to persuade or to inform. A process essay should have a clear thesis A process essay should have a clear thesis

statement that identifies the process and tells statement that identifies the process and tells why it is performed.why it is performed.

Planning a process essayPlanning a process essay Keep reader’s needs in mind.Keep reader’s needs in mind.

Explain reasons for performing Explain reasons for performing stepssteps

Describe unfamiliar materials or Describe unfamiliar materials or equipmentequipment

Define termsDefine terms Warn readers of possible Warn readers of possible

problems they may encounter.problems they may encounter. Avoid ambiguity or surprisesAvoid ambiguity or surprises Avoid unnecessary shifts in Avoid unnecessary shifts in

tense, person, voice and mood.tense, person, voice and mood.

Using transitionsUsing transitions

Check list of transitions on page 43 of our Check list of transitions on page 43 of our textbooktextbook

Specifically useful are such transitions as Specifically useful are such transitions as first, second, meanwhile, after this, next, first, second, meanwhile, after this, next, then, at the same time, when you have then, at the same time, when you have finished, and finally.finished, and finally.

Use transitions to establish sequential and Use transitions to establish sequential and chronological relationships between steps chronological relationships between steps in process.in process.

Structure of Process EssayStructure of Process Essay Introduction: identifies the process and Introduction: identifies the process and

indicates why and under what circumstances it indicates why and under what circumstances it is performed.is performed. Includes thesisIncludes thesis Introduces whatever materials or preliminary steps Introduces whatever materials or preliminary steps

may be needed.may be needed.

Structure of Process Essay, cont.Structure of Process Essay, cont.

Body of essayBody of essay one major stage of the process one major stage of the process

in each body paragraph.in each body paragraph. Each stage may involve Each stage may involve

several stepsseveral steps

Structure of Process Essay, cont.Structure of Process Essay, cont.

Formal ConclusionFormal Conclusion May not be necessary in very short, simple May not be necessary in very short, simple

process essay.process essay. Briefly reviews the procedure’s major stagesBriefly reviews the procedure’s major stages Reinforces the thesis by summarizing the Reinforces the thesis by summarizing the

results of the process, or explaining its results of the process, or explaining its significance.significance.

Revising Checklist for Revising Checklist for a Process Essaya Process Essay

Does your assignment call for a set of instructions or a Does your assignment call for a set of instructions or a process explanation?process explanation?

Does your writing style clearly and consistently indicate Does your writing style clearly and consistently indicate whether you are writing a set of instructions or process whether you are writing a set of instructions or process explanation?explanation?

Does your essay have a clearly stated thesis that Does your essay have a clearly stated thesis that identifies the process and perhaps tells why it is (or was) identifies the process and perhaps tells why it is (or was) performed?performed?

Have you included all necessary reminders and Have you included all necessary reminders and cautions?cautions?

Have you included all necessary steps?Have you included all necessary steps? Are the steps presented in strict chronological order?Are the steps presented in strict chronological order? Do transitions clearly indicate where one step ends and Do transitions clearly indicate where one step ends and

the next begins?the next begins?

In Class Process Writing ExerciseIn Class Process Writing Exercise

Look at the photograph to the right. How is this jack-o’-lantern different from the pumpkin from which it was carved?

List the steps involved in the process of carving a pumpkin into a jack-o’-lantern. Where dies the process begin? Where does it end?

What cautions and reminders might be helpful to someone who has never made a jack-o’-lantern?

Journal EntryJournal Entry

Write a set of instructions for someone who Write a set of instructions for someone who has never made a jack-o’-lantern. Using has never made a jack-o’-lantern. Using commands and present tense, explain each commands and present tense, explain each step in the order in which it occurs, including step in the order in which it occurs, including all necessary cautions and reminders.all necessary cautions and reminders.

Grammar in contextGrammar in context

Avoid unnecessary shifts in verb tense, voice Avoid unnecessary shifts in verb tense, voice and mood, and in pronoun person.and mood, and in pronoun person.

Link to Verb Tense explanation and exercisesLink to Verb Tense explanation and exercises.. Link to Verb Voice explanation and exercisesLink to Verb Voice explanation and exercises.. Link to Verb Mood explanation and exercises.Link to Verb Mood explanation and exercises. Link to Pronoun Person explanation and exercisLink to Pronoun Person explanation and exercis

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