Writing

Process writing guidelines

Process means a fixed or ordered series of actions or events leading to a result: process defines a process of doing something. It either instructs the reader to do something or tells how something was done. The process essay should have a vivid and descriptive use of language. Be aware of the audience. When you are planning a process essay, your first question should be "What do my readers know about my topic?" Identifying the audience is important in deciding what to include and what to omit in the essay.

In general, though, you should assume that readers know little about the topic being explained but have the same general knowledge you do. For instance, it can be assumed that most people know what a paintbrush is, but it cannot be assumed that your readers know which kind of brush is best to use with a certain type of paint.

Order the steps chronologically. Since a process paper describes a sequence of steps leading to some preconceived end, it is important that the steps be discussed in the order that they occur; in other words, the steps should be arranged in chronological order. This principle of organization is the same as the one used for narration.

In a process essay, ordering ideas chronologically is vital, especially if readers are to be able to re-create the process. The only time to break from chronological order is when you explain some unfamiliar term or give some word of advice or caution.

[footnoteRef:1]A process paper describes how something works or instructs you on how to do something. It presents a series of steps to explain how something works or how to perform a process. A process paragraph contains the following elements: [1: Kirszner, Laurie, and Stephen Mandell. Foundations First with Readings, 4th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012. Print. ]

Types of Process

Process Explanation—in a process explanation, your purpose is to tell how something works or how something happens. A process explanation explains the way something happens, so the reader can understand the steps and the result more clearly, but it is not necessarily intended for the reader to duplicate. Examples: how a bill becomes a law, how an egg becomes a chicken, how political events affect the price of gold, how witchcraft was diagnosed in the seventeenth century, how a particular machine operates. In a process explanation, you do not expect readers to perform the process.

Process Instruction—when you write instructions, your purpose is to give readers the information they need to perform a task or activity—for example, to fill out an application or to operate a piece of machinery. Because you expect readers to follow your instructions, you address them directly, using commands (check the gauge…tap the brakes gently).

Basic Set Up of a Process paper

1. Skill to be taught Clearly identify your topic.

2. Materials and/or equipment needed List all the materials (with proper sizes and measurements, if appropriate) and any tools that are needed to complete the task.3.

3. Warnings Explain under what conditions the task should be carried out if it is to be done safely and successfully.

4. Steps List the steps according to the order in which they are to be carried out. In your outline, jot down a key phrase to represent each step. Later, when you draft a paragraph or essay, you can expand and explain each of these steps.

5. Tests Tell your readers how they will be able to know if they have carried out the task successfully.

· A topic sentence that identifies the process. It should also state the main idea you want to make about this process.

· The topic sentence is followed by the steps in the process.

· These steps are presented one at a time, in strict chronological (time) order—the order in which they occur or are to be performed.

· The paragraph ends with a concluding statement that brings the process to a close and sums up the paragraph’s main idea.

Planning a good process analysis requires the writer to include all the essential steps. Be sure you have all the tools or ingredients needed. Arrange the steps in the correct sequence. Like all good writing, a process essay requires a thesis to tell the reader the significance of the process. The writer can tell the reader how to do something, but also should inform the reader about the usefulness or importance of the endeavor." (G. H. Muller and H. S. Wiener, The Short Prose Reader. McGraw-Hill, 2006)

Reviewing Your Process "When you revise your process writing, think about the people who will be reading it. Ask yourself these questions:

· Have I chosen the best starting point? Think about how much your audience already knows before you decide where to begin describing the process. Don't assume your readers have background knowledge that they may not have.

· Have I provided enough definitions of terms? . . .

· Have I been specific enough in the details?"

(Robert Funk, et al., The Simon and Schuster Short Prose Reader, 2nd ed. Prentice Hall, 2000)

Transitions are important to process paragraphs. They enable readers to identify each step—for example, first, second, third, and so on. In addition, they establish a sequence that helps readers move easily through the process.

after that	first	soon
as	immediately	the first step
as soon as	later	the last step
at the same time	meanwhile	then
at this point	next	the next step
before	now	when
finally	once	while

Weak example:

There are many steps to making pancakes. First, collect your ingredients. You will need flour, sugar, milk, and eggs. You will also need a frying pan. Next, mix a cup of flour with half a cup of sugar. Add a teaspoon of salt. After that, mix the eggs and milk in a separate bowl. Add a tablespoon of oil. Then mix the liquids and solids together until you have a smooth batter. Pour some batter into a frying pan. Wait for the pancake to start to bubble. Then flip it over. Last, take the pancake out of the pan.

Better example:

My country is famous for its hamburgers and hot dogs, but there is one food we make that doesn’t get enough attention: the pancake. Pancakes are a delicious breakfast food that we eat with maple syrup. Making pancakes is easy, as it requires only basic ingredients and a few simple steps. First, collect all your ingredients together. You will need sugar, flour, salt, milk, eggs, and oil, as well as a frying pan. The first step is to mix the dry ingredients. Measure a cup of flour, and mix it with half a cup of sugar and a tablespoon of salt. After you have finished mixing the dry ingredients, you should pull out a separate bowl to mix the liquids. Crack an egg into your bowl and pour in a cup of milk and a tablespoon of oil. Break the yolk and stir vigorously. Once the liquids are properly mixed, add them to the solids. Stir until the batter is consistent. It should be about as viscous as honey. If it is too wet, add some flour. Likewise, if it is too dry, add some milk or water. To cook the pancake, pour a half cup of batter into a greased frying pan. Once the batter starts to bubble, flip the pancake with a spatula. Be careful not to drop the pancake down too hard on the pan because it could splash batter everywhere. When the pancake is brown around the edges, likely after about a minute, remove it from the pan with a spatula. It is now ready to eat. Serving pancakes with butter and syrup is traditional, but you could serve it with jam or whipped cream. The whole process from preparation to serving only takes fifteen minutes, and you will have a sweet and hearty breakfast for the whole family.