ENG 101: Process-Analysis Project
L. Martin, Instructor
Spring 2007
“A process analysis explains how something works, how something is made,
or how something is done” (Clouse 267).
Objectives:
o To understand process analysis (specifically explanatory process analysis and directional process analysis); to analyze model process-analysis essays; to give a
PowerPoint presentation of a process; to use the textbook as a resource; and to summarize information.
Preliminary Reading:
To begin this project, you should carefully read pages 267-276 in Patterns for a Purpose (PP). Make sure you understand these key terms: process analysis, directional
process analysis, and explanatory process analysis.
Additional Reading:
Read the annotated student essay (“A Visit to Candyland”) that begins on page 277 in PP.
Assignment:
o Step One: After completing the reading assignments (above), answer the questions about “A Visit to Candyland” that are on page 279 in PP. Make sure you use
complete sentences when answering the questions. Your answers should be thoughtful, complete, and word-processed.
o Step Two: Read “Shoot to Kill,” beginning on page 299 in PP. Answer the questions in the section entitled, “Considering Language and Style,” beginning on
page 305 in PP. Your answers should be written in complete sentences, thoughtful, and word-processed.
o Step Three: Read “The Traveling Onion” on page 316 in PP. Answer questions 1-4 on page 317 in the section entitled “Considering the Poem.”
o Step Four: Write a journal in response to question 1 under “Writing Assignments” on page 317 in PP.
o Step Five: Read “Summary” on page 449 in LB Brief. Then, in a 100-word maximum MLA-formatted document, summarize what you have learned about
process analysis.
o Step Six: Choose a topic for your process-analysis project. You will ultimately be sharing a PowerPoint presentation with your instructor and classmates. Choose
a topic where you can share “the steps in a procedure the reader [your audience] may want to perform”—directional process analysis (Clouse 267). Alternately,
you could explain a procedure you simply wish your audience to understand better—explanatory process analysis.
¾ Possible Topics (Choose one of the following or one of your own. If you choose one not listed here, please get the instructor’s approval. Note additional
topics are on pages 318 and 319 of Patters for a Purpose.)
ƒ “Select a process you perform well (for example, making pizza, wrapping gifts, throwing a surprise party, or planting a garden), and describe it
so that your reader [your audience] can learn how to do it” (Clouse 318).
ƒ “Explain a process that was an important part of your childhood: catching fireflies, preparing for Halloween, decorating the Christmas tree,
planting a garden with your parents, and so forth” (Clouse 318).
ƒ “If you have a hobby, such as collecting baseball cards or keeping exotic tropical fish, explain some process associated with that process:
evaluating the worth of a baseball card or putting together a tropical fish tank, for example. Let your pleasure at performing the process show”
(Clouse 318).
ƒ “Explain a way to perform a process to convince your reader that your procedures are better. For example, you can explain a better way to
study, a better way to clean a room, a better way to shop, or a better way to plan a party” (Clouse 318).
o Step Seven: Create a PowerPoint Presentation (see complete guidelines on the next page), and present to the class on the date assigned (see syllabus). The
presentation should last between three and seven minutes.
o Step Eight: Submit all written parts of the assignment, including a printed copy of the PowerPoint (six slides per page) to the instructor on the day of the
presentation.
PowerPoint Guidelines:
o Your presentation needs to include a minimum of ten slides.
¾ Begin with a title page that includes a title; your name (or your group members’ names, if you are doing a group presentation); the name of the course;
and the date.
¾ Include an introduction that explains your personal experience with/interest in the topic you have chosen. In your introduction you need to establish your
credibility. Explain why your audience should listen to what you have to say on this subject.
¾ Follow with a step-by-step of the process. Include personal experiences and details that support what you are saying. Use description where appropriate.
We (your audience) want to see, hear, taste, and feel what you are describing.
¾ Finally, you will need to include a reflective conclusion.
Grading:
o The rubric below will be used to grade this assignment; your final score will be credited four times and averaged with the miscellaneous assignments you
complete this semester. See page seven of the course guide. If you do not submit your assignment/presentation on the assigned due date, you will be allowed to
makeup the assignment on a date TBA toward the end of the semester. A substantial (25%) late-point penalty would apply.
A
(Exemplary Work)
o Questions have been answered thoughtfully,
accurately, and completely. Written responses are
word-processed and free of grammatical/
typographical errors. Summary is accurate.
C
(Average Work)
o Questions have been answered, but the answers are
not word-processed, lack thought, and/or contain
substantial grammatical/typographical errors.
Written responses are not word-processed, properly
formatted, and/or free of grammatical errors.
Summary is included but is more of a paraphrase
that a summary (see page 450 in LB Brief).
F
(Below Average/Unacceptable Work)
o Questions have not been answered; summary
missing/inaccurate.
o Questions have been answered and summary
included, but the responses do not reflect collegelevel thinking or writing.
o PowerPoint satisfies the requirements indicated in
the guidelines.
o PowerPoint presentation is effective, professional,
and thoughtful.
o Content is rich and demonstrates a solid
understanding of process analysis.
o A clear understanding of process analysis is evident.
o PowerPoint meets most of the requirements
presented in the guidelines.
o PowerPoint presentation is rushed, lacks
focus/direction.
o Content is weak.
o PowerPoint not completed or does not meet the
requirements presented in the guidelines.
o Presentation not given.
o Presentation given but does not meet/adequately
address the requirements of the assignment.
o A general understanding of process analysis is
evident.
o No understanding of process analysis is evident.
Groups (Optional):
o You may work on this project individually or in a small group (2-3 people). If you decide to work in a group, you must decide on day one, and let the instructor
approve the group. With the exception of the journal entry (see step four above), only one set of answers, one PowerPoint, and one presentation are needed. All
group members will earn the same grade.
Sources:
o Clouse, Barbara Fine. Patterns for a Purpose: A Rhetorical Reader. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2006.
o Process Analysis PowerPoint Presentation Project by Margaret Wanning (as presented on PTC English Dept. Resource Guide Website-<http://www.ptc.edu/resource/ProAnalysisPPInstructionsPP.pdf>).