Process Paragraphs

Process Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4KbyB2UnTM http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Make-a-DIY-Mohawk-10869

Creating Unity How do we create unity in a process paragraph? Stay focused on the topic and the steps. Try to be as clear as possible. Remember – it’s just a paragraph! Make a topic choice that is reasonable for writing just one paragraph!

Maintaining Coherence How do we maintain coherence in a process paragraph? Use chronological transitional words to aid the reader’s understanding of the steps. A few examples: First, second, third Finally After Next Later At the same time While When As soon as

Differences in Process Paragraphs Introductory Sentence Give a brief introduction to the topic. Methods include: asking a question, telling a story, defining a term Not always necessary! Controlling idea Tell the reader about the steps involved. Conclusion Give the final result of the process.

Example Paragraph Having a Successful Dinner Party Have you ever dreamed about giving a fabulous dinner party, imagining friends enjoying a great meal and conversation at your home? Whether you are an experienced host or a novice party planner, there is a great deal of preparation required in order to have a successful dinner party. First, you must decide on the logistics of the party. You need to know who will be there and when it will be. After you decide on a date and the guest list, you need to pick a theme. Will you have a Asian inspired feast, an American barbeque or a Latin fiesta? When you have decided on the theme, you can begin to create a menu. The menu should include items you can make a few days before and some quick items you can put together in a snap the night of the party. Two days before the party, you should make sure your home is prepared for guests. Do you have the food and other supplies you need? Finally, the night of the party, make sure you have enough time to prepare yourself before the guests arrive. Create a schedule so you can plan your time in the kitchen and your time to get dressed. All of these steps ensure that you will be a relaxed and carefree host, a clear indication of a successful dinner party. Does the paragraph have an introductory sentence?   Are there any difficulties noted? If not, what difficulties could you imagine if you had to follow this process? Do you think more information is necessary? Underline all of the time words used to introduce a step in the process. How many steps are given to ensure a successful party?

Topic Sentences and Steps How to Plan a Family Vacation ____Consider the interests and abilities of everyone in the family. ____Decide how long you can be away from home. ____Decide how much money you can spend. ____Planning a family vacation takes careful thought. ____Find out when everyone can take time off from school and jobs. ____When you have the answers to all of these questions, visit a travel agency. How to Prevent Jet Lag ____ Don’t drink alcohol or coffee during the flight. ____ Frequent flyers recommend these steps to prevent jet lag. ____ Go to bed early your first night in a new time zone. ____ Eat a high carbohydrate meal before your flight. ____ Don’t nap during the day that you arrive.

Student Example Paragraph Can you identify the transitional words? How to Cure a Cold Curing a cold is easy if you follow the right steps. First, hydrate yourself with fluids. For example, in the morning, drink hot tea or hot chocolate, and make sure you hydrate yourself all day by drinking warm water instead of cold water and also drink orange juice. Next, make sure you dress warmly if you want to go out and don’t expose yourself to cold weather. Then, make sure you wash your hands whenever you touch anything and after each bathroom use. Because washing your hands with soap and water is one of the best ways to prevent disease. Finally, at bed time, you can use a menthol rub and cover yourself under a comforter. Because when you have a cold, this affects your temperature and makes your temperature low which causes uncomfortable chills. You will feel better soon if you follow these steps. Why did the student not use an introductory sentence here?

Student Example Paragraph Can you identify the transitional words? How to Cure a Cold Curing a cold is easy if you follow the right steps. First, hydrate yourself with fluids. For example, in the morning, drink hot tea or hot chocolate, and make sure you hydrate yourself all day by drinking warm water instead of cold water and also drink orange juice. Next, make sure you dress warmly if you want to go out and don’t expose yourself to cold weather. Then, make sure you wash your hands whenever you touch anything and after each bathroom use. Because washing your hands with soap and water is one of the best ways to prevent disease. Finally, at bed time, you can use a menthol rub and cover yourself under a comforter. Because when you have a cold, this affects your temperature and makes your temperature low which causes uncomfortable chills. You will feel better soon if you follow these steps. Why did the student not use an introductory sentence here?

Grading/Editing Symbols & Abbreviations Paragraph ¶ Switch word order Word choice WC Awkward phrasing Awk Parallelism // Subject Verb Agreement SV

Grading/Editing Symbols & Abbreviations Fragment frag Run-on RO Comma Splice CS Missing information Spelling sp Wrong form form Agreement agr Connection needed con

Rules for Titles – page 89 in text Represent main idea Phrase or fragment – not a sentence No punctuation at the end required First letter always capitalized Other content words capitalized NOT IN ALL CAPS

What’s Wrong Here? How to cure a cold EXPLAIN THE DISEASE PROCESS OF DIABETES Conflict between two persons: Resolving a conflict is not as easy as it is. HOW TO RAISE WELL BEHAVED CHILDREN.