COURSE WORKSHOP

Process Analysis Writing Style

There are two purposes for using this style:

1. To analyze why something happened in a specific sequence

2. To describe how to do something

So, what purpose do you think each video below serves in process analysis writing?

Video #1

Video #2

From Tree to Paper How paper is made The Office Supplies Supermarket - YouTube.flv

HOW TO TIE THE WINDSOR KNOT- (EASIEST DEMONSTRATION)- Expert instructions - YouTube.flv

Examples of Process Analysis Writing

Choosing a Topic A bad topic for this kind of writing style could have any of

these problems:

Too few steps: like “How to blink your eyes.” Too many steps: like “How to design a new house.” Not interesting enough: “How to turn off a computer.”

Notice the subject Too specific to one person: “How I get ready for bed

every night.” Note: this could be a great topic for a personal essay – but the controlling idea of this topic is really “Information about me,” not teaching the reader how to do something.

Topic Examplesa) How to Lose Weight without Losing your Mind

b) How Volcanic Eruptions Occur

c) How to Choose a Major

d) How to Find the Perfect Roommate

e) How to Get Rid of a Roommate--without Committing a Crime

f) How to Succeed in College

g) How Earthquakes Occur

h) How to Plan the Perfect Party

i) How to Survive a Night of Babysitting

j) How Wood Becomes Paper

k) How to Housebreak your Dog

l) How to Kick a Bad Habit

m) How to Overcome Insomnia

Can you think of any topic examples of your own?

Write 3 topic examples in your notebooks and justify why you chose those topic examples

Unity Topic sentence:: It mentions the topic you are going to write

about; its controlling idea or your opinion are the steps you choose to write. Also, the controlling idea may include your opinion of whether the process is easy or hard to do.

 Topic sentences for these paragraphs are also all similar. They mention the topic and use words like “directions,” “steps,” “process” or “procedure.” If you really want to embarrass your teenage daughter, just

follow these easy steps.Repairing a broken screen door isn’t too hard; you can do it

with a few simple tools and these directions.Anybody can cook a cup of instant noodles if they follow

this process.I’ll give you three main steps to follow, and your dog will be

obedient in three weeks.

Unity: Practice

Apply a topic sentence of your own. Use the topics you have already

elaborated or three topics listed in this presentation.

Use the model topic sentences explained before to do your examples.

Organization: Essential Sequence All your information within your paragraph

must be indicated in steps.

Graphic Organizer You must explain the importance of each step

indicated. You can apply a graphic organizer to help you

with the information or steps you are going to mention and their importance.

Here is a graphic organizer you can use and FOLLOW THE STEPS.

Coherence

Transition words indicate that one step has been completed and a new one will begin in this process analysis style.

Make the sequence clear. Use plenty of transitions (see list below) to indicate the chronological sequence of steps: Every step should have expressions like "first," "second," "next," "at the same time," or "fifteen minutes later." The readers should never have to guess when, or in what order, the steps should be followed.

Coherence Transition words can be used for this writing style:

At the start of the process : In the middle of the process:

At first,,… Next,…

In the beginning,… After that,…

As you start,… Continuing with,…

To begin with,… The next step is…

The first step,… When this step is finished,…

When you begin,… As you continue,…

At or near the end of the process:

Finally,…

As you finish,…

Toward the end,…

The last step,…

Coherence These are more transition words that can be used for this writing

style:

Common Transition Words

Following this, During this time, Before this, First of all,

After…., When…, Currently, Eventually,

Afterwards, At last, During, Later,

After this, For the final step, Immediately before, Soon after,

Subsequently, To finish, … In the meanwhile, Previously,

Simultaneously, Before you’re done In the future, Then, …

Concurrently, One last point, In the end, Initially,…

Model Paragraph: BadUnacceptable Process Analysis Paragraph:

It is fairly easy to cook a delicious apple cobbler. Here are the things

you need: two cups apples (peeled and sliced); 1 ½ cup of sugar; two sticks of

butter or margarine; two cups of flour. Pour apples into a large howl. Add sugar

slowly. Blend in butter or margarine. Pre-heat oven to 525 degrees. Place bowl

on center rack of oven. Cook for 30 minutes or until brown on the top.

Model Paragraph: GoodAcceptable Process Analysis Paragraph:

It is fairly easy to cook a delicious apple cobbler. First,

you will need to have at least two cups of apples on hand, and they

should be peeled and sliced into thin crescent shapes. Almost any

type of apple will do--either red delicious or granny style or whatever

your local grocery store offers. Next, you will need about one half cup

of sugar for extra added sweetness. Either white granulated sugar or

brown refined will work equally well. (I have used both kinds with the

same success.) Finally, about two sticks of butter or two pounds of

margarine will be necessary to give the cobbler that lip-smacking

smoothness that my family just loves.

Effective ConclusionsSuggestions for concluding sentences:

1. Evaluate the process. Example: To sum up, if you have followed the

steps mentioned, you’ll be able to make any cake in no time.

2. Indicate the importance for having learnt about the process. Example:

So, following this process is crucial in real life to really get the job in any

interview.

3. Indicate an encouragement for following the process that was explained if

its purpose is to teach to do something. Example: In short, by following

these instructions, you’ll see that making a kite is quite easy.

4. Indicate an encouragement for reading more about the process that was

explained if its purpose was to simply inform about how something

occurs. Example: Consequently, there are loads of things you can still

find out about volcanoes that are quite fascinating.

Effective Conclusions

1. What process were you trying to explain? Why was it important?

2. Who were the readers? What knowledge did they acquire from this process?

3. What skills/equipment were needed for this? Offered clear descriptions of any tools or materials needed to carry out the process?

4. How many steps were there in the process? Be sure to include all steps and arrange them in sequence. Were there at least 5 steps?

5. Why was each step important? Explained why each step was necessary, and included warnings where appropriate?

Effective Conclusions

6. Were there any cautions needed to be given? Included warnings where appropriate?

7. Did the process have definitions that needed to be clarified? Defined any terms that your readers may not have been familiar with?

8. If needed, did you tell what should not have been done or why something should have been done?

9. Provided your readers with a way of determining whether or not the process has been carried out successfully.

10. Process papers can be written in the second person (you), but use the professor’s instructions. If writing in second-person is not allowed, avoid its use.