The Process EssayThe Process Essay

What is a process?What is a process? A process essay A process essay

explains how to do explains how to do something or how something or how something occurs.something occurs.

An obvious example An obvious example of process writing is a of process writing is a recipe.recipe.

Characteristics of Process WritingCharacteristics of Process Writing

Strict chronological orderStrict chronological order Fixed order Fixed order Clarity extremely importantClarity extremely important Transitions essentialTransitions essential

Two Types of Process Writing Two Types of Process Writing

1.1. Instructions:Instructions:– Enables readers to Enables readers to

perform a processperform a process– A recipe, a handout, an A recipe, a handout, an

operating manual are operating manual are examples of instruction examples of instruction writing.writing.

– Use imperative mood.Use imperative mood.– Subject of sentences is Subject of sentences is

“you” understood; speak “you” understood; speak directly to reader.directly to reader.

2. Process Explanation2. Process Explanation• Purpose is to help reader understand how a process is carried Purpose is to help reader understand how a process is carried

out.out.• Use either 3Use either 3rdrd person; not second person or imperative mood. person; not second person or imperative mood.• May be in present or past tense, depending on whether the May be in present or past tense, depending on whether the

writer is explaining a process that takes place regularly or one writer is explaining a process that takes place regularly or one that occurred in the past, and on whether the writer or that occurred in the past, and on whether the writer or someone else carried out the process.someone else carried out the process.

Second PersonSecond Person Third PersonThird Person

Present Present TenseTense

Place the chemicals in the tray Place the chemicals in the tray and turn out the lights in the and turn out the lights in the darkroom.darkroom.

““After photographers place the After photographers place the chemicals in the tray, they turn chemicals in the tray, they turn out the lights in the darkroom.”out the lights in the darkroom.”((habitual process performed by habitual process performed by someone other than the writer)someone other than the writer)

Past Past TenseTense

N/AN/A ““After the photographer placed After the photographer placed the chemicals in the tray, she the chemicals in the tray, she turned out the lights in the turned out the lights in the darkroom.” darkroom.” (process performed in the past (process performed in the past by someone other than the by someone other than the writer)writer)

Using Process WritingUsing Process Writing College writing for science, literature, history, College writing for science, literature, history,

or any other subject.or any other subject. Use process writing to instruct or to inform.Use process writing to instruct or to inform. A process essay should have a clear thesis A process essay should have a clear thesis

statement that identifies the process and tells statement that identifies the process and tells why it is performed.why it is performed.

Planning a process essayPlanning a process essay Keep reader’s needs in mind.Keep reader’s needs in mind.

Explain reasons for performing Explain reasons for performing stepssteps

Describe unfamiliar materials or Describe unfamiliar materials or equipmentequipment

Define termsDefine terms Warn readers of possible Warn readers of possible

problems they may encounter.problems they may encounter. Avoid ambiguity or surprisesAvoid ambiguity or surprises Avoid unnecessary shifts in Avoid unnecessary shifts in

tense, person, voice and mood.tense, person, voice and mood.

Using transitionsUsing transitions

Specifically useful are such transitions as Specifically useful are such transitions as first, second, meanwhile, after this, next, first, second, meanwhile, after this, next, then, at the same time, when you have then, at the same time, when you have finished, and finally.finished, and finally.

Use transitions to establish sequential and Use transitions to establish sequential and chronological relationships between steps chronological relationships between steps in process.in process.

Structure of Process EssayStructure of Process Essay Introduction: identifies the process and Introduction: identifies the process and

indicates why and under what circumstances it indicates why and under what circumstances it is performed.is performed. Includes thesisIncludes thesis Introduces whatever materials or preliminary steps Introduces whatever materials or preliminary steps

may be needed.may be needed.

Structure of Process Essay, cont.Structure of Process Essay, cont.

Body of essayBody of essay One major stage of the process One major stage of the process

in each body paragraph.in each body paragraph. Each stage may involve Each stage may involve

several stepsseveral steps

Structure of Process Essay, cont.Structure of Process Essay, cont.

Formal ConclusionFormal Conclusion May not be necessary in very short, simple May not be necessary in very short, simple

process essay.process essay. Briefly reviews the procedure’s major stagesBriefly reviews the procedure’s major stages Reinforces the thesis by summarizing the Reinforces the thesis by summarizing the

results of the process, or explaining its results of the process, or explaining its significance.significance.

Revising Checklist for Revising Checklist for a Process Essaya Process Essay

Does your assignment call for a set of instructions or a Does your assignment call for a set of instructions or a process explanation?process explanation?

Does your writing style clearly and consistently indicate Does your writing style clearly and consistently indicate whether you are writing a set of instructions or process whether you are writing a set of instructions or process explanation?explanation?

Does your essay have a clearly stated thesis that Does your essay have a clearly stated thesis that identifies the process and perhaps tells why it is (or was) identifies the process and perhaps tells why it is (or was) performed?performed?

Have you included all necessary reminders and cautions?Have you included all necessary reminders and cautions? Have you included all necessary steps?Have you included all necessary steps? Are the steps presented in strict chronological order?Are the steps presented in strict chronological order? Do transitions clearly indicate where one step ends and Do transitions clearly indicate where one step ends and

the next begins?the next begins?