Process Essays

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Process Essays
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A process is

• A series of steps carried out in a definite order

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Process

• the image of steps that show how a process
  happens
• Examples A process essay may explain . . .
• how to properly re-pot a plant
• how an individual came to appreciate hard work.

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Process Essay

• A process essay describes how something is done.
  It generally explains actions that should be
  performed in a series. It can explain in detail
  how to accomplish a specific task, or it can show
  how an individual came to a certain personal
  awareness.

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Choosing your topic

• Don't write about something that is too
  complicated.
• Don't write about something that needs to be
  accompanied by visual aids. (try describing the
  process of tying your shoes and you'll see what I
  mean.)

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Thoughtful transitions

• There is a temptation to connect each sentence
  with "And then," "then," "and then.
• avoid using words like "secondly," "thirdly,"
  etc. You might want to say "first" and "second,"
  but then let the numbering go.

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Interesting introductions

• involve readers in the human dimension that makes
  knowing your process important to them
• If you're going to write about how to jump-start
  a dead car battery, don't start with hooking up
  the cables. Start with the dark snowy morning in
  the parking lot, and there's no garage around,
  and sleet is dripping down your neck, and how do
  you hook up these stupid cables you find in the
  trunk?

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Special step

• Allow one of your steps to stand out from the
  others
• Equally important means equally unimportant
• Attach a special warning to one of your steps
• This will lend the essay a variety of tone and
  remind your readers that you are trying very hard
  to be helpful to them

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Pronouns

• be watchful of your pronouns
• If your frame of reference has consistently been
  yourself first I do this, then I do this, and
  then I do this, when you get to your conclusion
  don't suddenly address the reader and say "You do
  it this way
• STAY CONSISTENT!

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• Regular exercise is something like the weather
  everyone talks about it, but no one tends to do
  anything about it. Exercise classes on television
  and exercise programs on videos and CDs as well
  as instructions in books, magazines, and
  pamphlets now make it easy to have a low-cost
  personal exercise program without leaving home.
  However, for success in exercise, you should
  follow a simple plan consisting of arranging
  time, making preparations, and starting off at a
  sensible pace.

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• First, you must make time to exercise. Everyone
  has an excuse for not exercising a heavy
  schedule at work or school being rushed in the
  morning and exhausted at night too many other
  responsibilities. However, one solution is simply
  to get up half an hour earlier in the morning.
  Look at it this way if you are already getting
  up too early, what difference does an extra half
  hour make? Of course, that time could be cut to
  fifteen minutes earlier if you could lay out your
  clothes, set the breakfast table, fill the coffee
  maker, and gather your books and materials for
  the next day before you go to bed.

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• Next, prepare for your exercise session. To
  begin with, get yourself ready by not eating or
  drinking anything before exercising. Why risk an
  upset stomach? Then, dress comfortably in
  something that allows you to move freely. Since
  you will be in your own home, there is no need to
  invest in a high-fashion dance costume. A loose
  T-shirt and shorts are good. A bathing suit is
  great in summer, and in winter long underwear is
  warm and comfortable. If your hair tends to flop
  in your eyes, pin it back or wear a headband or
  scarf. Prepare the exercise area, too. Turn off
  the phone and lock the door to prevent
  interruptions. Shove the coffee table out of the
  way so you will not bruise yourself on it or
  other furniture. Then get out the simple
  materials you will need to exercise with.

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• Finally, use common sense in getting started.
  If this is your first attempt at exercising,
  begin slowly. You do not need to do each movement
  the full number of times at first, but you should
  try each one. After five or six sessions, you
  should be able to do each one the full number of
  times. Try to move in a smooth, rhythmic way
  this will help prevent injuries and pulled
  muscles. Pretend you are a dancer and make each
  move graceful, even if it is just getting up off
  the floor. After the last exercise, give yourself
  five minutes to relax and cool off you have
  earned it. Finally, put those sore muscles under
  a hot shower and get ready for a great day.

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• Establishing an exercise program is not
  difficult, but it cannot be achieved by reading
  about it, talking about it, or watching models
  exercise on television. It happens only when you
  get off that couch and do something about it. Now
  that you know how to begin and what to do, it
  should be easy to establish your exercise
  routine. It is time to stop talking about it and
  actually do something about it.

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• 2 wear comfortable, loose clothing
• 4 clear an area for exercise
• 6 lock the door and turn off the phone
• 3 tie hair back
• 8 move smoothly and gracefully
• 7 start slowly
• 10 hot shower afterward
• 1 make time - get up early, give up a tv show
• 5 get out weights or other equipment
• turn on music
• 9 cool down

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Prewriting

• Write a list of the steps involved in the process
• Eliminate steps that are unnecessary
• Order the steps
• Write an outline

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Process Essay Topics

1. How to break a bad habit
2. How to overcome a fear
3. How to get an A (or an F) in a class
4. How to make excuses
5. How to mend a broken heart
6. How to improve your reading skills
7. How to care for an aging relative
8. How to improve a school or a place of work
9. How to live on a tight budget