READING A PROCESS ANALYSIS WITH A CRITICAL EYE
Since the heart of your analysis is the process itself, you need to make sure, first of all,
that your reader will be able to follow every step. So ask a friend or classmate to review
your draft and tell you whether he or she has any questions about how the process
works—or any suggestions for making it clearer. Here are some questions to keep in
mind when checking a process analysis.
PURPOSE AND AUDIENCE. Is the purpose of the analysis to tell the audience how to do
something, or is it to explain how something works or is made? How likely is the
intended audience to want or need this information? What additional information, if
any, should the analysis provide? For example, is there any special equipment that
readers might need to know about? Any terms that need to be defined?
ORGANIZATION. Are all of the important steps of the process included? Are they
arranged chronologically, or in some other order that makes sense—such as from most
important to least important?
TRANSITIONS. Are there clear transitions between each step? Are the transitions overly
predictable (first, second, third)? If so, consider changing them for variety.
PRONOUNS. Is the analysis primarily directive or explanatory? If it’s directing the
reader to do something, is it written mostly in the second person, referring to the
reader as you? If the analysis is primarily explanatory, is it written mostly in the third
person (he, she, it, they)?
VERBS. If the analysis is directive, are the verbs in the imperative (or commanding)
mood? If it’s explanatory, are they in the indicative (or stating) mood? Is there any
needless switching between the two moods? With verbs in the imperative mood,
remember, the pronoun you is often understood rather than explicitly stated: “(You)
Check over every aspect of your draft carefully.”
THE POINT. What is the point of the analysis? Is there a thesis statement at the
beginning that tells the reader why this particular process is being analyzed and what
to look for in the rest of the essay? Is the significance or end result of the process clearly
indicated?
VISUALS. Are charts, drawings, or other illustrations included to help explain the
process? If not, should there be? Are the visuals labeled and anchored appropriately in
the text?
CONCLUSION. Does the analysis end with a clear indication of the outcome of the
process? If there are several possible outcomes, does it indicate what they are and
which results are most likely?
OTHER METHODS. Does the analysis include other methods of development? For instance,
does it give examples of the process? Does it analyze what caused key actions or events
in the process and what effects they may have? Does it classify or divide part of the
process? Does it offer an argument about the process?
COMMON ERRORS. Does the analysis consistently use either the indicative or the
imperative voice? If it switches needlessly between the two, choose one and stick with
it.