WRITING A PROCESS ESSAY

What to Do? Process Sequence When you interpret diagrams, you will find that you have to follow the correct sequence to describe the process. You should be structuring the process in the appropriate order and connecting your ideas appropriately.

What to Do? Grouping Information When organizing your answer, it may also help to ‘group’ some of the information. This is particularly the case when there is a lot of data. Don't interpret the important facts and information inaccurately! Check that your sentences are grammatically correct.

What to Do? Grouping Information You are given pictorial information and you have to write a description of this information. Life cycles, how a machine works, the production phases of something are most frequently given topics for this task. There may usually be just one diagram. However, there could also be more than one of the same type of diagram or a combination of them.

THE OUTLINE The general format for writing about diagrams in academic settings is as follows: Introduction (1 or 2 sentences) Body (Steps in the process) Conclusion (1 or 2 sentences - not necessary)

An Example

The Production of Chocolate

Model Answer The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There are a total of ten stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on the cacao trees and ending with the production of the liquid chocolate. To begin with, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American and African continents and the country of Indonesia.  Once the pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans are removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large tray so they can dry under the sun. Next, they are placed into large sacks and delivered to the factory. They are then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees, after which the beans are crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage, this inner part that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced.

Introduction The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There are a total of ten stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on the cacao trees and ending with the production of the liquid chocolate. To begin with, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American and African continents and the country of Indonesia.  Once the pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans are removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large tray so they can dry under the sun. Next, they are placed into large sacks and delivered to the factory. They are then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees, after which the beans are crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage, this inner part that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced.

Stages in short The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There are a total of ten stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on the cacao trees and ending with the production of the liquid chocolate. To begin with, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American and African continents and the country of Indonesia.  Once the pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans are removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large tray so they can dry under the sun. Next, they are placed into large sacks and delivered to the factory. They are then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees, after which the beans are crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage, this inner part that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced.

Body – 1st Image The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There are a total of ten stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on the cacao trees and ending with the production of the liquid chocolate. To begin with, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American and African continents and the country of Indonesia.  Once the pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans are removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large tray so they can dry under the sun. Next, they are placed into large sacks and delivered to the factory. They are then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees, after which the beans are crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage, this inner part that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced.

Body – 2nd Image The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There are a total of ten stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on the cacao trees and ending with the production of the liquid chocolate. To begin with, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American and African continents and the country of Indonesia.  Once the pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans are removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large tray so they can dry under the sun. Next, they are placed into large sacks and delivered to the factory. They are then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees, after which the beans are crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage, this inner part that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced.

Body – 3rd and 4th images The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There are a total of ten stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on the cacao trees and ending with the production of the liquid chocolate. To begin with, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American and African continents and the country of Indonesia.  Once the pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans are removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large tray so they can dry under the sun. Next, they are placed into large sacks and delivered to the factory. They are then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees, after which the beans are crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage, this inner part that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced.

Body – 5th, 6th and 7th images The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There are a total of ten stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on the cacao trees and ending with the production of the liquid chocolate. To begin with, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American and African continents and the country of Indonesia.  Once the pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans are removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large tray so they can dry under the sun. Next, they are placed into large sacks and delivered to the factory. They are then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees, after which the beans are crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage, this inner part that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced.

Body – 8th and 9th images The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There are a total of ten stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on the cacao trees and ending with the production of the liquid chocolate. To begin with, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American and African continents and the country of Indonesia.  Once the pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans are removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large tray so they can dry under the sun. Next, they are placed into large sacks and delivered to the factory. They are then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees, after which the beans are crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage, this inner part that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced.

Body – 10th image The diagram explains the process for the making of chocolate. There are a total of ten stages in the process, beginning with the growing of the pods on the cacao trees and ending with the production of the liquid chocolate. To begin with, the cocoa comes from the cacao tree, which is grown in the South American and African continents and the country of Indonesia.  Once the pods are ripe and red, they are harvested and the white cocoa beans are removed. Following a period of fermentation, they are then laid out on a large tray so they can dry under the sun. Next, they are placed into large sacks and delivered to the factory. They are then roasted at a temperature of 350 degrees, after which the beans are crushed and separated from their outer shell. In the final stage, this inner part that is left is pressed and the chocolate is produced.

Exercise

Put the sentences in order! Your book p.102

a. Following this, sand and water are added to the clay, and this mixture is turned into bricks by either placing it into a mould or using a wire cutter. b. Overall, there are seven stages in the process, beginning with the digging up of clay and ending in delivery. c. To begin, the clay used to make the bricks is dug up from the ground by a large digger. d. The diagram explains the way in which bricks are made for the building industry. e. This clay is then placed onto a metal grid, which is used to break up the clay into smaller pieces. A roller assists in this process.

f. They are heated in a kiln at a moderate and then a high temperature (ranging from 200c to 1300c), followed by a cooling process in a chamber for 2 – 3 days. g. Finally, the bricks are packed and delivered to their destinations. h. Next, these bricks are placed in an oven to dry for 24 – 48 hours. i. In the subsequent stage, the bricks go through a heating and cooling process.

(d) The diagram explains the way in which bricks are made for the building industry. / (b) Overall, there are seven stages in the process, beginning with the digging up of clay and ending in delivery. (c) To begin, the clay used to make the bricks is dug up from the ground by a large digger. / (e) This clay is then placed onto a metal grid, which is used to break up the clay into smaller pieces. A roller assists in this process. (a) Following this, sand and water are added to the clay, and this mixture is turned into bricks by either placing it into a mould or using a wire cutter. / (h) Next, these bricks are placed in an oven to dry for 24 – 48 hours. (i) In the subsequent stage, the bricks go through a heating and cooling process. / (f) They are heated in a kiln at a moderate and then a high temperature (ranging from 200c to 1300c), followed by a cooling process in a chamber for 2 – 3 days. Finally, the bricks are packed and delivered to their destinations.

BE CAREFUL!!! You must collect / understand the following data and information from the figure. Time: Be sure whether the time presented in the figure is present / past / future or mixture of these three. Process essays are primarily written using the present tense. Theme: Be sure what the figure / diagram / picture is trying to represent.

BE CAREFUL!!! Main Point: What's the central idea of the presented diagram? Number and Order of the steps: Figure out the number and order of steps. How many main stages are there? Regardless of the type of process essay being written, the steps or procedures being described should be organized in some kind of sequential or logical order. Effects & Result: Find out the effects and results. Conclusion: Plan what you should include in the conclusion. (if necessary!)

INTRODUCTION

Introduction Describe the diagram. What it is (diagram / picture / flow chart) What it does (presents data / gives steps of a process / give projection or prediction) What about (The title tells what information is being displayed) Number of steps (or main stages) Time

Introduction - Vocabulary Topic Where and when This diagram shows the stages of water cycle in the rain forests. The diagram outlines the growth of US economy from 1990 to 1996. The diagram illustrates how a hotel staff manages services on daily basis. The flow chart depicts The organizational structure of WWF all over the world.

Introduction - Vocabulary The following kinds of structures and formats can also be used for the introduction as the second sentence. Instructional Process It is ______________ to _______________ if you ____________. It is easy to iron a shirt if you follow these steps. It is not difficult to speak in public if you adhere to these basic principles. _____________ is ___________ when you have _________________. Baking a pie is simple when you have the right ingredients. Building a bookcase is a snap when you have the proper tools and materials. There are ______________ to follow __________________. There are six steps to follow in changing a flat tire. There are three simple instructions to follow to use a pay telephone.

Introduction - Vocabulary Analytical Process A(n) ______ works by _________. A washing machine works by combining the function of three internal components: a water pump, a tub, and sensors and/or timers. By _____, it is easy to explain how a ______ works. By combing three internal components (water pump, tub, and sensors/timers), it is easy to explain how a washing machine works.

Introduction - Vocabulary Analytical Process A(n) ______ works by _________. A washing machine works by combining the function of three internal components: a water pump, a tub, and sensors and/or timers. By _____, it is easy to explain how a ______ works. By combing three internal components (water pump, tub, and sensors/timers), it is easy to explain how a washing machine works.

BODY

Body This is where you write about the detailed description of the steps / process of the diagram. It should be written in the second paragraph. While describing, keep in mind that, you are expected to write down all the the steps or procedures given in pictorial form in some kind of sequential or logical order.

Body what is happening / what happened the main changes / the pattern over time the pattern for different places or groups or people the logical order / sequence of the steps / stages

Body Things you should follow: Use passive voice!!! Use appropriate tense to describe the data. Check the periods of time the diagram refers to: past, present, future, or all. Use the present simple to describe the diagram: The diagram shows …, We can see ….   Use transitional words like "besides, as well as, likewise, in addition, additionally, again, on the other hand" etc. to make your sentences relevant and coherent.

Body Things you should follow: Avoid repetition by using reference and substitution. If you repeat the main noun all the time in your essay, it will sound repetitive. You can add variety to your writing by using reference and substitution, or other words / phrases instead of repeating the same word. pronouns= it, they, these, those substitution= the ones that .... , the biggest / smallest ones synonyms= container, chamber, pool, etc.

Body Don’ts! Don't include your own opinion, imagination or solution. Don't use contraction (cannot/can't, do not/don't etc, will not/won't). Don’t use “I feel”, “as I have written,” “as you can see,” etc. Keep it academic.

The Production of Peanut Butter The diagram below shows how peanut butter is made. Write a report (in about 150 words) for a university lecturer, describing the information shown.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) ______ harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) ______, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) ______ step, they are cooled (4) ______ they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) ______ makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) ______ they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) ______ the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) ______ the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) ______, there are eight (10) ______ steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) follows harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) ______, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) ______ step, they are cooled (4) ______ they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) ______ makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) ______ they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) ______ the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) ______ the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) ______, there are eight (10) ______ steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) follows harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) Afterwards, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) ______ step, they are cooled (4) ______ they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) ______ makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) ______ they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) ______ the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) ______ the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) ______, there are eight (10) ______ steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) follows harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) Afterwards, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) next step, they are cooled (4) ______ they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) ______ makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) ______ they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) ______ the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) ______ the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) ______, there are eight (10) ______ steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) follows harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) Afterwards, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) next step, they are cooled (4) before they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) ______ makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) ______ they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) ______ the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) ______ the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) ______, there are eight (10) ______ steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) follows harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) Afterwards, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) next step, they are cooled (4) before they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) also makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) ______ they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) ______ the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) ______ the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) ______, there are eight (10) ______ steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) follows harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) Afterwards, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) next step, they are cooled (4) before they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) also makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) so that they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) ______ the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) ______ the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) ______, there are eight (10) ______ steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) follows harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) Afterwards, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) next step, they are cooled (4) before they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) also makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) so that they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) Once the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) ______ the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) ______, there are eight (10) ______ steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) follows harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) Afterwards, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) next step, they are cooled (4) before they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) also makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) so that they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) Once the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) and then the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) ______, there are eight (10) ______ steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) follows harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) Afterwards, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) next step, they are cooled (4) before they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) also makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) so that they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) Once the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) and then the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) In short, there are eight (10) ______ steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

once subsequent also follows in short so that afterwards next before and then The diagram shows the process of making peanut butter from harvesting the peanuts to jars of peanut butter.   The first step which (1) follows harvesting is shelling, where the shells are removed from the peanuts and discarded.   (2) Afterwards, the nuts are roasted in large ovens to cook them.  In the (3) next step, they are cooled (4) before they are blanched.  Blanching kills bacteria and it (5) also makes it easier to remove the skins of the peanuts which is done in the following stage.  The nuts pass through rubber rollers which removes the skin (6) so that they will be ready for grinding.  The peanuts are ground twice.   (7) Once the first grind ends, 2% salt, dextrose and oil is added to the peanuts (8) and then the mixture is ground again.  This produces the peanut butter which is then packed in jars ready for sale. (9) In short, there are eight (10) subsequent steps in the process of transforming harvested peanuts into peanut butter including shelling, roasting and grinding.

Conclusion If you have described the full process, you don’t need to write a conclusion but; if your word limit is critical, or if you feel that you need to sum it up Then, Write a conclusion!!!

Conclusion Start with “In conclusion / in short / to conclude / to sum up / in brief / in summary” etc. Give an overview / summary of what the chart shows, focussing on the main points. Use different vocabulary and grammar - paraphrase. Length - You don’t have to write too much. A sentence is enough.