English III

Paper 2 Description:  Analysis of a Process

Length: 4-5 Pages

Sources:  3-4

 

Process Defined

Process analysis writing involves writing to give instructions on how to do something or to describe how something is done. It is another common organizational form of writing. Current self-help books on the market entitled How To . . . are examples of process writing. Process analysis serves readers well if some simple steps are followed to maintain clarity. There are two basic types of process writing: informational and directional. Informational process writing provides information on topics we would like to learn about, i.e. how something works. An example would be an essay on how the heart functions. On the other hand, directional process deals with giving directions on how to do something. An example of this type of writing would be an essay giving directions on changing a tire or a recipe.

 

Subject Matter

Be sure that you choose and appropriate subject to either give directions or to inform. It cannot be both. If you choose a subject and put it in the wrong format, you either won't be able to continue writing, or it will be confused.

 

What to consider when writing a process essay

A process paper either tells the reader how to do something or describes how something is done. As you write your process essay, consider the following:

·         What process are you trying to explain? Why is it important?

·         Who or what does the process affect?

·         Are there different ways of doing the process? If so, what are they?

·         Who are the readers? What knowledge do they need to understand this process?

·         What skills/equipment are needed for this?

·         How long does the process take? Is the outcome always the same?

·         How many steps are there in the process?

·         Why is each step important?

·         What difficulties are involved in each step? How can they be overcome?

·         Do any cautions need to be given?

·         Does the process have definitions that need to be clarified?

·         Are there other processes that are similar and could help illustrate the process that you are writing about?

·         If needed, tell what should not be done or why something should be done.

·         Process papers are often written in the second person (you), but some teacher prefer that you avoid this. Check with your teacher.

Your responses to these questions and statements should enable you to write an effective process essay.

Suggested transition words to lead readers through your essay

Process essays are generally organized according to time: that is, they begin with the first step in the process and proceed in time until the last step in the process. It's natural, then, that transition words indicate that one step has been completed and a new one will begin. Some common transitional words used in process essays are listed below:

One
time

Transition

Another
time

 

TIME

 

 

After a few hours,

Immediately following,

 

 

Afterwards,

Initially,

 

 

At last

In the end,

 

 

At the same time,

In the future,

 

 

Before

In the meantime,

 

 

Before this,

In the meanwhile,

 

 

Currently,

Last, Last but not least, Lastly,

 

 

During

Later,

 

 

Eventually,

Meanwhile,

 

 

Finally,

Next, Soon after,

 

 

First, Second, Third, etc.

Previously,

 

 

First of all,

Simultaneously,

 

 

Formerly

Subsequently,

 

 

Immediately before,

Then,