THE PROCESS ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

What is a process essay?

There are 2 types of processes:

1) A directive process2) An informative

process

You may choose either type for the process essay assignment.

The directive process

So what’s a directive process you ask?

A directive process is any process a reader can do for herself. If a reader can’t perform the task, the process IS NOT directive. (Remember it this way—a directive

process gives directions.)

The directive process

The reader can physically follow your directions

Your title probably begins “How to . . .”

You use “you” often (because you assume the reader will carry out your instructions)

The directive process

EXAMPLES: How to prepare for a

duck hunt How to teach your child

water safety How to find student

loans in Texas How to get along with

your mother-in-law through better communication

How to set a trotline How to prepare for a

surfing competition

How to lay tile How to tell if your

boyfriend/girlfriend is “the one”

How to buy shirts for the curvy woman—5 things you should know

How to shop for a used car on a budget

How to properly stretch before a track meet

The directive process

MORE EXAMPLES: How to install speakers

in your car How to keep a 5-year

old occupied with craft projects

How to become more politically involved

How to become a nurse How to buy a wetsuit How to improve your

credit score How set up a prenuptial

agreement

How to find a date in Houston, Texas

How to play Fantasy Football successfully

How to perfect your golf swing

How to plan a baby shower your friends will love

How to avoid common pitfalls when planning your vacation to Walt Disney World.

Start generating ideas!

All of the previous essay examples were just possibilities to help you begin brainstorming. Choose a topic that interests you.

So that’s the directive process. Now let’s talk about informative processes.

Moving on . . .

The informative process

Intended as information (not to be followed)

Describes a process someone else performs

Uses “I,” “he,” “she,” “they” (because you’re describing a process that someone else, not the reader, performs)

The informative process

EXAMPLES Steps to care and feeding

of gorillas at the zoo Steps to coaching defense

for a winning NFL team Steps to sentence

someone to the death penalty

Steps in mining diamonds in the U.S.

Steps FedEx takes to ensure customers receive packages on time

Steps to understanding the electoral college

Steps to creating the perfect zombie movie

Steps involved in fire rescue

Steps to decreasing the African malaria epidemic

Steps to understanding how hurricanes develop

Steps to understanding gravitational pull

The informative process

MORE EXAMPLES Steps to convert to

Judaism Steps to understanding

how chocolate is made Steps to starting a

Subway restaurant franchise

Steps to understanding tooth decay

Steps to understanding how the Wall Street trade floor works

Steps to understanding Wal-Mart’s business model

Steps to getting rich by the age of 30 through investing wisely

Steps to becoming a spoiled celebrity

Steps to understanding city planning

Steps to understanding how fashion trends begin

Again, these ideas are just examples. You may write either an informative or directive process.

Choosing a Topic

Picking a topic

As with any essay, it’s important to pick a college-level topic that provides your reader with new information. Review the presentation on choosing topics if you have questions.

Remember, as with any essay, your topic

must be VERY NARROW. If your

topic is too big, your process will be

underdeveloped and confusing for your

reader.

Picking a topic

So how do you avoid talking down to your reader or overwhelming them with new information?

Think about it:How much do you know about fishing?

Picking a topic Do you need a writer to tell you what

“tackle” or “fishing pole” means? Do you need the reader to tell you what

a “trolling motor” is? What about “tension?” “PFD?”

“Polyamide monofilament line?”

Picking a topic

Consider what your reader is likely to know and work from there.

Not sure how much a reader might already know about your topic? Post to our discussion board, talk to classmates and find out!

Some “taboo” topics

There are a few topics I don’t allow:

No recipes No changing a tire No changing the oil

No driving a stick shift