ENGL 1711 03

Overall requirements are as follows:

· 3 pages that are in the MLA format

· The paper must have an introduction, conclusion and at least three body paragraphs that describe the steps or phases involved in completing a project or describing how something happens.  Pages 136-140 in Reflections talk about writing strong introductions and conclusions. If you don't have the textbook yet, there is a topic about writing introductions and conclusions posted in week two's content area.  

 

Drafts should be about two pages in length.  They are due for peer review on the discussion board for process essays and in the assignment folder for instructor review. In addition to reading chapter 13, you should also read pages 132-140 in chapter seven of Reflections, which talks about drafting an essay. 

 

 

A.        Understand the two different process paper types and select the best topic for you. See pages 318-319

 

How-to essay—telling the reader how to accomplish something

In the first type of process writing, you can explain to a reader how to do something that you, as the writer, have done successfully before.  It’s important to let the reader know that you have personal experience with the process.  Usually, you reveal your experience with the process in the introduction or in significant places within the body of the essay. If you are writing from this perspective, you can use the second person (you) and first person (I/me) reference in the essay. This is one exception to second person reference in academic writing. The example essay about ski waxing in an example.  

 

How-I did it essay—telling the reader how you did something

In this type of process writing, you are using your own narrative example to explain or demonstrate how you did something.  Avoid using second person voice/perspective if you take this approach.  The example essays about moving to a different state and writing a personal check both demonstrate this type of process.

 

How-it-happens or works essay

In this type of process writing, you are explaining how something happens or how something works.  The perspective is usually more objective with the main perspective being in the third person.  In a how-it-happens essay, the second person reference should not be used. 

 

Avoid writing about processes that most people know how to do already, like getting dressed or making a PBJ sandwich.

 

Avoid writing a recipe or giving simple driving directions.  You are writing an essay, so your paragraph content should contain examples and illustrations which are interesting and possibly creative.

 

Avoid writing science fiction.  If you’ve never robbed a bank or flown a space craft, you can’t predict a successful outcome for your reader.  You need to know how to do the process yourself.

 

Avoid just giving tips.  The purpose of this essay to choose a process which you develop according to steps in chronological order. 

 

Avoid overly complicated processes that would involve specialized knowledge or training.  If your process needs a picture or video to be clear, then it’s probably not the correct process to try and write about.  

 

B.        Organization 

          Once you select a topic, begin prewriting by listing the important steps or phases in the order the reader is supposed to do them, you do them, or they occur, depending on which process perspective you are writing from.  Give yourself space to insert detailed illustrations after each important component of the process.   You should be able to see how to group the steps chronologically in paragraphs once you have done some prewriting. 

 

C.        Draft an Introduction

          Refer to pages 136-138 in chapter seven and pages 322-323 in chapter thirteen.  Write a working thesis and include it as the last sentence of your introduction. The following are examples of working thesis statements.

 

· Piercing your tongue can be done by you in the comfort of your own home by following these steps carefully. 

· You can take an excellent photograph if you plan carefully following these steps. 

· Grape juice doesn’t have to ruin your carpet if you do these things in order.

· I completed my first marathon with a training program for beginners.  

· Metamorphic rocks go through a process that involves a change.

· A crow selects a mate for life by going through these events.

· A landslide is the result of these steps. 

· A root canal is a horrific experience that I went through last year. 

· The process for how mold grows is interesting. 

 

D.        Draft at least three of your body paragraphs in this fashion:

           

Topic Sentence= Identification of a specific step or phase

Supporting Statements=What the reader needs to know to complete the step or to understand how something happens.

Include helpful examples from your own experience or knowledge about the process.    

Concluding Statement=Concludes this step or phase and provides transition to the next one.

 

E.  Draft a concluding paragraph.  Don’t just end with the final step.

 

Here is a list of transitional words for your reference.

 

Before                         meanwhile                  immediately               finally

 

Previously                  in the meantime        later                            to begin

 

Earlier                        at the same time        then                            first

 

After                           now                             gradually                        second

 

Afterward                  presently                    eventually                  third