Everything’s a process… But how do you write about it?

Describing a Process Useful in communicating new information – owner manuals, recipe books, instruction guides, etc. Details a process in smaller parts, making the information more accessible to readers Informs the reader of something they want – or need – to know in order to be successful at the task they are attempting QUESTION – what is something you recently read that provided info on a process?

CLASS ACTIVITY 1 Voices and Values – “7 Ways to Keep the Peace at Home” (p. 263) Read preview Record Vocabulary in ISN Read Intro and #1, as a class Write summary of #1, as a class, using Point and Support strategy (p. 6) Each group read assigned #, write point/support on poster paper provided and tape to wall Gallery walk to read the others Presentation of each by one group member

The Writing Process Revisited… Writing to work, writing to learn, writing to communicate, writing for yourself! Once you have determined subject, purpose, and audience: 1. Prewriting – brainstorming, clustering, free writing 2. Organizing Ideas – selecting what to “use”, outlining (planning) specific ideas 3. Writing a First Draft – write freely to determine what works 4. Revising – move pieces around, find where stuff “fits” 5. Edit – make grammar corrections, spelling, etc. 6. Final Draft – typed, printed, clean version for a grade

Let’s Practice… Each paragraph contains a topic sentence which connects to the main THESIS of a piece (p. 24 WWC) This sentence can come at the beginning or at the end of a writing piece, primarily in the FIRST para. Topic sentences should have attitude and or opinion and create an interest for the reader (p.27 WWC) EXERCISE – choose a topic you’d like to develop from the “list” on page 23 and write a sentence that can later be developed

Let’s Practice, cont’d… Writing the body and conclusion… Generate Ideas Select specifics – develop the ideas Write a first draft, revise, edit, final Exercise 6, p. 32 WWC – return to the topic you chose in exercise 1 – plan a paragraph accordingly Share that plan with your shoulder partner– would its development make sense to him or her?

NOTES: Process Analysis Explains how something works Observes the process In third person Ex: “the egg begins to hatch in about a week” Explains how to do something Instructs the reader Speaks in second person Ex: “mix the eggs, flour, and milk in large bowl”

Organizing a Process Analysis Typically includes two parts: An intro of the process and a list of materials required to complete the process An explanation of each step in the process, presented in sequential order (moving consecutively from first to last)

BLUEPRINT FOR PROCESS ANALYSIS A paragraph for describing a process would like much like this: (see p.254 WWC) TOPIC SENTENCE: process name and importance BODY: steps in the process, arranged sequentially Listing of tools and materials Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 CONCLUSION: summary, restatement of importance

An Example Read Hubbell’s “The Beekeeper” (p.254, WWC) Discussion Questions: What tools/clothing are needed? How do you know – where in the text does it say? Why is this process so difficult? What is the first step? The second? What does the author assume we don’t know as readers? Are there any technical terms you do not know? Should the author have defined them for you?

SUMMATIVE ASSIGNMENT Choose a topic from the list you have been provided, or one of your own choosing You will have two parts to this assignment – 1. write an “essay” describing a process 2. “present” the process to the class Once the topic is chosen, decide on the materials needed Define/explain any unfamiliar terms Explain each step in the process

SUMMATIVE ASSIGNMENT (cont’d) Make an outline listing all the steps necessary to your process (this is the format you will follow for your presentation – and YES, it is due with your writing portion as part of a grade) Begin the writing process Use templates on p. 256 if you find them helpful Revise using checklist in p.257 DUE MONDAY OF NEXT WEEK

Process Writing Practice WWC – p. 255 Peer revision – checklist Turn if for formative grade

CLASS ACTIVITY 2 In random group assignments, you will complete a task Name the members of your group – a builder, a recorder, a runner Work to build the best paper airplane EVER – and be sure it FLIES!!! Be sure the recorder gets EVERY step down, in detail, including the materials needed Once each group is finished, the runner will perform his/her job…

Practice Turn to page 257 in your WWC book Complete, in pairs, the additional writing assignment Follow each step – study the diagram, outline the steps, describe the process by explaining each step (or series of small steps), revise until it follows a logical progression Read to class – whose was the best?

PRESENTATION DAYS Monday - Tuesday: Students will present their process analysis to the class for TWO GRADES – a writing grade and a speaking grade Make-ups/reassessments will be difficult, but can be done in a timely fashion at lunch, and only in the event you are ABSENT. (Sorry, shy does not excuse you from this assignment!)