Process Analysis Telling How or How to

Defining Process Analysis Series of actions that produces an end result Separated into a number of steps TWO KINDS Explanatory Process Analysis: how something works or is made. Explains “How I” do something. Directive Process Analysis: how to do something . Defining Process Analysis

Purpose and Audience We must always consider our purpose and audience. To explain? To instruct or direct? To entertain? Who is your reader? What might he already know? Why might he want to know more, or less? What does he need to know? What might he need to avoid? Are there any special tools needed? Etc. Purpose and Audience

Composing your thoughts What is your point??? This is your thesis. It should clearly tell the reader what process the writer is analyzing, why he’s analyzing it, and what the end result of the process is. To understand how something works? To know how to do something? To understand an undesirable result in or der to order to prevent it? Break down the process into its main main steps/stages Composing your thoughts

Organizing Linear or cyclical? Putting the steps in order: Chronological Cause and effect Most to least (vice versa) Organizing

Intro & Transitions Again, be sure to have a point. Let your reader know that you are moving from one step to another step Consider the beginnings of paragraphs and the beginnings of sentences as mile markers Intro & Transitions

Conclusion Consider the “So What?” again The process is not complete until it yields a final result. What does this result mean to the reader? Conclusion

Explanatory Process Analysis: try to stick to third person (he, she, it, they, etc.) Directive Process Analysis: you may choose to write in second person (you) Pronouns

Verbs In most cases, write in present tense Directive: use the imperative mood, which is uses to express a request or command Start preparing for your exams the first day of class . . . Plan reviews as part of your regular weekly schedule . . . Read over your lecture notes and ask yourself questions on the material. Explanatory: use indicative mood, which is used to make factual statements As the rotor moves around the chamber, each of the three volumes of gas alternately expands and contracts. First, I make a list of what I absolutely have to take to camp. Verbs

Review your points.