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

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 Examples a)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

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.graphic

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 doneIn the future,Then, … Concurrently,One last point,In the end,Initially,…

Model Paragraph: Bad Unacceptable 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: Good

Effective Conclusions Suggestions 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.