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PROCESS ESSAY
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PROCESS ESSAY
*BRIEF DEFINITION:
o the careful, detailed explanation of a
particular procedure
*TYPES of PROCESS-ANALYSIS:
o DIRECTIVE: how to perform a task
o
o
*you will write this type of process essay
how to change of flat tire
o INFORMATIVE: explain how something
works
o
how the gulf stream works
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TRAITS
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Process Essay
VS
First 3 Essays
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PROCESS ESSAY vs. FIRST ESSAYS
*DESCRIPTIVE:
o dominant impression
o sense details with similes (to support DI)
o arranged spatially
o pan like a camera
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PROCESS ESSAY vs. FIRST ESSAYS
*ILLUSTRATIVE:
o reasons, proof, examples
o supported by stats, anecdotes, instances
o arranged logically, emphatically
o emphatic order—save the best for last
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PROCESS ESSAY vs. FIRST ESSAYS
*NARRATIVE:
o narrative details of a moralistic story
o arranged chronologically
o linear time sequence—beginning, middle,
end
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PROCESS ESSAY vs. FIRST ESSAYS
*PROCESS-ANALYSIS ESSAY:
o
o
o
o
o
detailed steps in a process
arranged chronologically
step by step by step
use description, narration, illustration
use transitions between steps
o AND…..
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YOU, 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.
o you, you, you, you, you
o “you are”
o “you’re” is NOT allowed (no contractions)
o “UR” is NOT allowed (no text-messaging lingo)
o “your” is allowed
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POV
“YOU”
o 2ND-person POV
o directly addressing the reader
“I”
o 1st-person POV (*more informational process essay)
o speaking from personal experience (*more Narrative)
“YOU” with “I” (*recommendation*)
o directly addressing the reader (“YOU”)
o offering personal examples for illustration (“I”)
o “For example, I prefer to add my fabric softener at
the end of the third cycle.”
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INTRODUCTION
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INTRODUCTION
**SCENARIO:
o Create a context for this process
o What situation would dictate the reader
needing to know how to perform this task?
o Why should the reader know how to do this
activity?
o purpose: answer the “so what?!” factor
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INTRODUCTION
*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—
o
o
o
o
o
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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INTRODUCTION
**PURPOSE STATEMENT:
o like a thesis statement
o what essay will concern
o why readers should do
o combine “overview” with your purpose to
get a thesis statement:
In six easy steps that should take you
approximately ten minutes, you can create a
new, exciting, flattering look for yourself.
purpose: answer the “so what?!” factor
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INTRODUCTION
**PURPOSE STATEMENT:
DO NOT ANNOUNCE:
o Rather than “I am going to tell you how to
make this” OR “In this essay I will show you
how,”
o Write “If you follow this easy six-step
process, you will be able to create…”.
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INTRODUCTION
*EXAMPLES OF CREATING A SCENARIO &
INTRODUCING THE TOPIC:
o 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?
o End Intro with Purpose Statement
o BODY’s 1st sentence: The first step in
changing a tire is to….
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BODY
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BODY
*COHERENCE:
o *CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER



do NOT place steps out of sequence
no “But before that”
if a step comes before another, then place it
before the other
o *TRANSITIONS
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BODY: Coherence: Transitions
FORMS:
o Transitions often come in the following
forms:
o
o
o
o
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS: since,
because, if, when, although
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS: and, but,
yet, or, nor, for, so
PREPOSITIONS: after, during, behind,
beyond, during
ADVERBS: once, never, always, frequently
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BODY: Coherence: Transitions
Transitions for the Process-Analysis Essay:
Time and Sequence/Order
o First, second, third
o Next, then, finally, lastly
o After, afterwards, following,
o At this time, at this point
o Simultaneously, concurrently
o Subsequently, while, meanwhile
o When, during, immediately, now, later, in the
future, earlier, sometimes, always, never,
whenever, once
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BODY: Coherence: 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
*STEP-BY-STEP:
o assume nothing
o presume your audience = NOVICES
o reader knows nothing about your topic
o reader has never performed this task before
o DIRECTIVE (how-to, technical writing)
vs/
INFORMATIVE (close to narrative)
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BODY
*THIS IS AN ESSAY, SO…
o *NO LISTS*
o *NO RECIPES (keep in essay format)
o *do not forget the ARTICLES (a, an, the)
o *do not forget the INTRODUCTION &
CONCLUSION paragraphs
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BODY
*DETAILS:
 STEP #1: gather all materials 1st
o
o
items should NOT just magically appear in the
middle of the process
list them as “items in a series” & not as a
bulleted or numbered list
 “HOW EXACTLY”
o
o
don’t skip over steps
remember, readers have never done this
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BODY
*DETAILS:
o PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE:



since this is not necessarily a 5-paragraph
essay,
group steps into related PHASES/STAGES
(like the Narrative Essay)
o use DESCRIPTIVE DETAILS
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BODY
*FLAVOR:
o make PERSONAL SUGGESTIONS or
PREFERENCES (if no specific brand/flavor is
required) (i.e., amount of salt)
o make TIPS (better use a pot holder)
o give SPECIFIC INSTANCE if “it depends”
o briefly explain the REASON for a step if it is
not obvious (do this to prevent a mess)
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BODY
*GRAMMAR:
o spell “INGREDIENTS” correctly
o no “THINGS” (steps, tasks) (items, utensils)
o 350 degrees (not the symbol for degrees)
o medium-sized pan (hyphen, -ed)
o “THEN” = not a conjunction (use “, and then”)
o COMMAS (“Introductory subordinate clause,”)
(between two I.C. joined by a C.C.)
o COLONS (“First, gather the following
ingredients: milk, sugar, and flour.”)
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CONCLUSION
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CONCLUSION
*CONSIDER THE PROCESS AS A WHOLE:
o repeat/reference the PURPOSE of your
process (why did you tell us how to do this)
(scenario)
 Process-as-a-whole:
o
o
o
#/difficulty of steps
*total TIME of process
*describe the FINISHED PRODUCT (smells,
taste, sight, feel, sound)
o CLINCHER SENTENCE
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LITMUS TEST
*** CAN THE READER DO IT? ***
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Life is a
PROCESS
ESSAY
(cognitive & social development)
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TOPICS
related to
cognitive & social development
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TOPIC PROMPTS
*PERSONAL PROTECTION:
o How to handle inappropriate and/or
unwanted sexual advances at work, school,
social setting
o How to defend yourself if attacked
o How to determine that you are in and/or how
to leave an abusive relationship
o How to catch your significant other cheating
o How to get a PFA
o How to win a custody battle
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TOPIC PROMPTS
*PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT:
o How to quit smoking
o How to determine that you have a
drug/alcohol problem AND how get help with it
o How to deal with the death of a loved one
o How to start over
o How to begin a diet, exercise regimen
o How to train for your first 5k, 5-miler…
o How to perform a basic dance step
o How to find a new apartment/house
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TOPIC PROMPTS
*PERSONAL MAKE-OVER:
o How to give yourself a manicure, pedicure
o How to prepare a special bubble bath, facial
o How properly to wax, tan
o How to cut, treat, wash, perm, highlight your
hair
o How to have a tattoo removed
o How to buy a used or new car
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TOPIC PROMPTS
*PERSONAL EDIFICATION:
o Take Notes
o Study
o Prepare for a Test, Mid-Term or Final Exam
o Prepare for a Job Interview
o Create a RÉSUMÉ
o Deal with Stress (in a healthy manner)
o Deal with a Death in the Family (and school)
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TOPIC PROMPTS
*PERSONAL OCCUPATION:
o Job Orientation/Training
o As if you are training someone on his/her
first day on the job
o 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 PROMPTS
*PERSONAL INDISCRETION:
On the Dark Side
o How to plagiarize (and not get caught)
o How to cheat on a test
o How to cheat on your significant other
o How to tell a lie
o How to commit the perfect crime/murder
o How to get out of a speeding ticket
o How to file for ARD
o How to fail a particular course
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PREWRITING
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PREWRITING
1) 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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PREWRITING
2) STEPS:

Brainstorm.

List every step in the process.

Number the steps in chronological order.

List related sense details.
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PREWRITING
3) 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.
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SAMPLE
PROCESSES
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How to Change a Flat Tire
www.americredit.com/.../Learn2ChangeFlatTire.htm
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2
3
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How to Change a Flat Tire
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5
6
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How to Make MACARONI & CHEESE
STEP
#1
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STEP #2
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STEP #3
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STEP #4
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STEP #5
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STEP #6
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STEP #7
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CONCLUSION
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OTHER PROCESSES
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OTHER PROCESSES
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HOW TO BE A STAR
LOOK, SOUND, PLAY,
SMELL, TALK or SING
COUNTRY,
BLUES,
ROCK’N’ROLL,
GOTH,
PUNK,
GRUNGE,
RAP,
HIP-HOP,
’80s HAIR BAND, ….