Process Writing: Explanatory Essays Or “How To” Essays

What is Process Writing? Explaining the process of how to do something. Step-by-step instructions Very detailed 3 paragraphs I should be able to follow your steps and complete the task you’ve explained.

How to Organize Your Essay: In the first paragraph, introduce or explain your topic. Explain what materials are needed. Begin explaining the first few steps. The other paragraphs will explain the steps in order. The last paragraph will end it up with the last step and maybe explain what you can do with the finished product.

Prewriting List of possible topics Narrow it down Topic sentence First, list things you know HOW TO DO WELL ENOUGH to explain it to someone else. –Food (recipes) –Crafts (bracelets, cards, origami) –Woodworking –Sports (hunting, football, cheerleading, certain moves in these sports)

Prewriting: listing ideas Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Spinning a flag Writing an essay Chicken Pot Pie Chocolate Chip Cookies Scrapbook pages Gingerbread house Selling/Buying on Ebay

Prewriting: Narrow Down Your Topic Choose an idea and try to list at least TEN steps. If you can’t list at least 10, you need to choose another idea. List the major steps in order. Look it over and see if you missed any important steps. If you did, add it in. List any materials you’ll need as well.

Prewriting: Narrow Down Your Topic Chicken Pot Pie –Cook chicken –Cut up chicken –Place in dish –Drain veggies, cut up carrots –Mix peas and carrots, season –Pour peas & carrots over chicken, mix and spread evenly –Mix soup and broth –Pour soup and broth over chicken and veggies –Mix flour, milk, butter –Pour evenly over mixture in dish –Bake in 375° oven for one hour until golden brown –Let rest 5 minutes –Enjoy!

Prewriting: Narrow Down Your Topic Materials Needed: 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs Knife Cutting board 13 x 9 inch baking dish Skillet with oil or butter Mixing bowls Spoons 1 can English peas 1 small can sliced carrots Salt and pepper 2 cups chicken broth 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 cup self-rising flour 1 cup milk ½ stick melted butter

Prewriting: Topic Sentence If your topic has been approved by the teacher, write your topic sentence. State topic – make it clear that it has steps/procedure Ex: Making chicken pot pie is very easy, but there are many steps that have to be followed carefully in order for it to turn out right.

Drafting: The First Paragraph Introduce your topic… Tell WHY it’s important, useful, interesting, whatever… Include topic sentence and the materials and maybe the first few steps.

Drafting: The First Paragraph One of my favorite comfort foods has always been homemade chicken pot pie. It is a one dish meal perfect for any family. Making chicken pot pie is very easy, but there are many steps that have to be followed carefully in order for it to turn out right. First, assemble all ingredients: One cutting board, one knife, a few spoons, a few mixing bowls, one 13 x 9 inch baking dish, one skillet with oil or butter, 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1 can of English peas, 1 small can of sliced carrots, Salt and pepper, 2 cups of chicken broth, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 cup of self-rising flour, 1 cup of milk, and ½ stick of melted butter. To begin, season the chicken with salt, pepper, and any other seasoning desired. Next, cook the chicken in the skillet over medium heat until thoroughly done.

Drafting: The Second Paragraph When the chicken is done, take it out of the skillet and place it on the cutting board. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Place the pieces into the baking dish. Next, drain the peas and carrots. Slice the carrots into thinner pieces and then mix them with the peas in a small bowl. Salt and pepper liberally. Pour them over the chicken in the dish and mix them together, spreading evenly over the bottom of the dish. Then, mix the soup and chicken broth together and pour it over the chicken and vegetables. Make sure the chicken and vegetables are well covered by the broth mixture. Continue giving the steps in the correct order. Be very specific.

Drafting: The Third Paragraph Next, mix the flour, milk, and butter together until smooth. Pour over the mixture in the dish, making sure to cover the whole area of the dish. When the batter is spread evenly over the top, place the dish into a 375° oven. Set the timer for one hour. At the end of the hour, the top should be golden brown and the pie bubbly. If it is, take it out of the oven and let it rest for about five minutes. Then enjoy the delicious homemade pot pie!

The End In groups, individually come up with at least 5 possible topics. Put them on notebook paper. Discuss topics with group members. Add other ideas to yours. As a group, choose your five BEST possible topics. Write them on one marker board, and be prepared to show them to the class. Individually, you will choose your topic. BE ORIGINAL! Put this on the notebook paper and be ready to list steps tomorrow.