Process Analysis
Writing Style

There are two purposes for using this
style:
1. To analyze why something happened
in a specific sequence
2. To describe how to do something
So, what purpose do you think each
video below serves in process analysis
writing?

Video #1

Video #2
Examples of Process Analysis
Writing
Choosing a Topic

A bad topic for this kind of writing style could have any of
these problems:
Too few steps: like “How to blink your eyes.”
 Too many steps: like “How to design a new house.”
 Not interesting enough: “How to turn off a computer.”


Notice the subject
Too specific to one person: “How I get ready for bed
every night.” Note: this could be a great topic for a
personal essay – but the controlling idea of this topic is
really “Information about me,” not teaching the reader
how to do something.
Topic Examples
a) How to Lose Weight without Losing your Mind
b) How Volcanic Eruptions Occur
c) How to Choose a Major
d) How to Find the Perfect Roommate
e) How to Get Rid of a Roommate--without Committing a Crime
f) How to Succeed in College
g) How Earthquakes Occur
h) How to Plan the Perfect Party
i) How to Survive a Night of Babysitting
j) How Wood Becomes Paper
k) How to Housebreak your Dog
l) How to Kick a Bad Habit
m) How to Overcome Insomnia
Unity
Topic sentence:: It mentions the topic you are going to write
about; its controlling idea or your opinion are the steps you
choose to write. Also, the controlling idea may include your
opinion of whether the process is easy or hard to do.
 Topic sentences for these paragraphs are also all similar.
They mention the topic and use words like “directions,”
“steps,” “process” or “procedure.”
 If you really want to embarrass your teenage daughter, just
follow these easy steps.
 Repairing a broken screen door isn’t too hard; you can do it
with a few simple tools and these directions.
 Anybody can cook a cup of instant noodles if they follow
this process.
 I’ll give you three main steps to follow, and your dog will be
obedient in three weeks.

Unity: Practice
Apply a topic sentence of your
own.
 Use the topics you have already
elaborated or three topics listed
in this presentation.
 Use the model topic sentences
explained before to do your
examples.

Organization: Essential
Sequence

All your information within your paragraph
must be indicated in steps.
Graphic Organizer
You must explain the importance of each
step indicated.
 You can apply a graphic organizer to help
you with the information or steps you are
going to mention and their importance.
 Here is a graphic organizer you can use
and FOLLOW THE STEPS.

Coherence

Transition words indicate that one step has been
completed and a new one will begin in this
process analysis style.

Make the sequence clear. Use plenty of transitions
(see list below) to indicate the chronological
sequence of steps: Every step should have
expressions like "first," "second," "next," "at the
same time," or "fifteen minutes later." The readers
should never have to guess when, or in what
order, the steps should be followed.
Coherence
Transition words can be used for this writing style:
At the start of the process :
In the middle of the process:
At first,,…
Next,…
In the beginning,…
After that,…
As you start,…
Continuing with,…
To begin with,…
The next step is…
The first step,…
When this step is finished,…
When you begin,…
As you continue,…

At or near the end of the process:
Finally,…
As you finish,…
Toward the end,…
The last step,…
Coherence

These are more transition words that can be used for this writing
style:
Common Transition Words
Following this,
During this time,
Before this,
First of all,
After….,
When…,
Currently,
Eventually,
Afterwards,
At last,
During,
Later,
After this,
For the final step,
Immediately before, Soon after,
Subsequently,
To finish, …
In the meanwhile,
Previously,
Simultaneously, Before you’re done
In the future,
Then, …
Concurrently,
In the end,
Initially,…
One last point,
Model Paragraph: Bad
Unacceptable Process Analysis Paragraph:
It is fairly easy to cook a delicious apple cobbler. Here are the things
you need: two cups apples (peeled and sliced); 1 ½ cup of sugar; two sticks of
butter or margarine; two cups of flour. Pour apples into a large howl. Add sugar
slowly. Blend in butter or margarine. Pre-heat oven to 525 degrees. Place bowl
on center rack of oven. Cook for 30 minutes or until brown on the top.
Model Paragraph: Good
Acceptable Process Analysis Paragraph:
It is fairly easy to cook a delicious apple cobbler.
you will need to have at least two cups of apples on hand, and they
should be peeled and sliced into thin crescent shapes. Almost any
type of apple will do--either red delicious or granny style or whatever
your local grocery store offers.
you will need about one half cup
of sugar for extra added sweetness. Either white granulated sugar or
brown refined will work equally well. (I have used both kinds with the
same success.) Finally, about two sticks of butter or two pounds of
margarine will be necessary to give the cobbler that lip-smacking
smoothness that my family just loves.
Effective Conclusions
Suggestions for concluding sentences:
1.
Evaluate the process. Example: To sum up, if you have followed the
steps mentioned, you’ll be able to make any cake in no time.
2.
Indicate the importance for having learnt about the process. Example:
So, following this process is crucial in real life to really get the job in any
interview.
3.
Indicate an encouragement for following the process that was explained
if its purpose is to teach to do something. Example:
In short, by
following these instructions, you’ll see that making a kite is quite easy.
4.
Indicate an encouragement for reading more about the process that was
explained if its purpose was to simply inform about how something
occurs. Example: Consequently, there are loads of things you can still
find out about volcanoes that are quite fascinating.
Effective Conclusions
1. What process were you trying to explain? Why was it important?
2. Who were the readers? What knowledge did they acquire from
this process?
3. What skills/equipment were needed for this? Offered clear
descriptions of any tools or materials needed to carry out the
process?
4. How many steps were there in the process? Be sure to include all
steps and arrange them in sequence. Were there at least 5 steps?
5. Why was each step important? Explained why each step was
necessary, and included warnings where appropriate?
Effective Conclusions
6. Were there any cautions needed to be given? Included warnings
where appropriate?
7. Did the process have definitions that needed to be clarified?
Defined any terms that your readers may not have been familiar
with?
8. If needed, did you tell what should not have been done or why
something should have been done?
9. Provided your readers with a way of determining whether or not
the process has been carried out successfully.
10. Process papers can be written in the second person (you), but
use the professor’s instructions. If writing in second-person is not
allowed, avoid its use.