Process Analysis--

-- a technique that explains the steps or sequences involved in doing something, satisfies our need to learn as well as our curiosity about how the world works. HOW TO---

How process analysis fits your purpose and audience

• When giving step by step instructions, showing how to do something

• When you want your readers to understand how something happens even though they may not actually follow the steps

DIRECTIONAL or INFORMATIONAL

Strategies for using process analysis in an essay

• Formulate a thesis that clarifies your attitude toward the process (more than announce your subject; it should state or imply your attitude toward the subject)

• Keep your audience in mind when deciding what to cover (watch jargon; evaluate the audience’s level of knowledge; don’t assume the audience will know something just because you do)

• Focusing on your purpose, thesis, and audience, explain the process one step at a time – probably needs to be chronological– or if there is no sequence, look for key steps– or reject a traditional sequence and propose a new

one• Help your audience understand/visualize the

process– show, don’t just tell– details without confusion

• Sort out directional and informational aspects of the process analysis– OK for second person if it’s directional (YOU

should…)– Use first or third person if informational– Do not shift persons in midstream– Past tense is preferred; present adds drama and

immediacy – Do not shift tenses in midstream

• Provide readers with the help they need to follow the sequence– Use traditional sequencing words

• Next, then, now, while, before, after, finally, etc.

• Select and maintain an appropriate tone– Objective, nonjudgmental, angry, accusatory– Be consistent– Do not offend

• Open and close effectively– Strong opening– Don’t end with the last step, round out the essay with

a satisfactory closing

Suggestions for Directional: how to do something

How to improve a course you have takenHow to make/create/construct something How to show appreciation to othersHow to look fashionable on a limited budgetHow to be a responsible pet ownerHow to be a friend to the outcastHow to improve the place where you work

Suggestions for Informationalhow something happens

How (any machine) worksHow bad habits developHow a child develops a love for readingHow someone becomes an

internet/Facebook/video game addictHow people fall into debtHow a high school student chooses a college