Writing the Process EssayWriting the Process Essay

Choose one of the following essay Choose one of the following essay topics: topics:

How to get in shape How to get in shape How to teach a child a How to teach a child a skill skill

How to impress the bossHow to impress the boss

Write a list of at least 10 brainstormed Write a list of at least 10 brainstormed steps about your topic. steps about your topic.

For example, if the topic were "How to get For example, if the topic were "How to get an "A" in English," you might brainstorm a an "A" in English," you might brainstorm a list that looked like this: list that looked like this: stay current with the reading stay current with the reading get assignments in on time get assignments in on time ask questions in class ask questions in class study with a friend or group study with a friend or group buy a computer buy a computer get a dictionary get a dictionary get to class on time get to class on time visit your professor during his or her office visit your professor during his or her office

hours to get extra help hours to get extra help buy a folder to keep your revisions and essays buy a folder to keep your revisions and essays

in in make sure you know your professor's e-mail make sure you know your professor's e-mail

address address

Organize these ideas into at least three Organize these ideas into at least three paragraph groups. paragraph groups.

For example, you can organize these steps For example, you can organize these steps in this way: in this way: Improve study habits Improve study habits

stay current with the reading stay current with the reading get assignments in on time get assignments in on time study with a friend or group study with a friend or group get to class on time get to class on time

Communicate with the professor Communicate with the professor ask questions in class ask questions in class visit your professor during his or her office hours to visit your professor during his or her office hours to

get extra help get extra help make sure you know your professor's e-mail address make sure you know your professor's e-mail address

Make sure you have the necessary equipment Make sure you have the necessary equipment and supplies and supplies

buy a computer buy a computer get a dictionary get a dictionary buy a folder to keep your revisions and essays in buy a folder to keep your revisions and essays in

Write three possible thesis statements for your Write three possible thesis statements for your organized list. Be sure each is a complete organized list. Be sure each is a complete sentence, includes a controlling idea and is sentence, includes a controlling idea and is specific. specific.

Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific details for your necessary) at least three specific details for your first paragraph group (use the checklist for first paragraph group (use the checklist for writing process paragraphs on page 149). writing process paragraphs on page 149).

Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific details for your necessary) at least three specific details for your second paragraph group (use the checklist for second paragraph group (use the checklist for writing process paragraphs on page 149). writing process paragraphs on page 149).

Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific details for your necessary) at least three specific details for your third paragraph group (use the checklist for third paragraph group (use the checklist for writing process paragraphs on page 149). writing process paragraphs on page 149).

Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if Write a topic sentence and organize (and add, if necessary) at least three specific details for any necessary) at least three specific details for any more paragraph groups (use the checklist for more paragraph groups (use the checklist for writing process paragraphs on page 149). writing process paragraphs on page 149).

Organize the thesis statement along with Organize the thesis statement along with the topic sentences and events and details the topic sentences and events and details you have chosen for each paragraph into you have chosen for each paragraph into an outline or plan. an outline or plan.

Organize the entire plan in chronological Organize the entire plan in chronological order and revise the outline or plan to order and revise the outline or plan to reflect the ordering. reflect the ordering.

Write a first draft of the essay, paying Write a first draft of the essay, paying particular attention to transitions in and particular attention to transitions in and between the paragraphs, and send the between the paragraphs, and send the first draft to me. first draft to me.

After going back and rereading your first After going back and rereading your first draft for organization and clarity, draft for organization and clarity, proofread for grammar and spelling errors. proofread for grammar and spelling errors.