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The purpose of a process essay is to provide instruction. There are two kinds of process essays:
analytical and instructional. An instructional process essay tells how to do something, such as how
to assemble a bicycle, how to speak in public, or how to bake banana bread. After reading an
instructional process essay, the reader should be able to do the thing described.
An analytical process essay tells how something works or how something happens, such as how a
carburetor works or how steam is used to generate electricity. Regardless of the type of process
essay being written, the steps or procedures being described should be organized in some kind of
sequential or logical order. In addition, process essays are primarily written using the present (and
sometimes the future) tense.
Look carefully at the model thesis statements below. These kinds of structures and formats can be
used for thesis statements in a process essay.
Instructional Process
It is easy to accumulate wealth if you reduce frivolous spending, increase monthly savings
and invest for long term growth.
Planting a flower garden is simple when you prepare the soil correctly, plant at the correct
time and water and weed regularly.
There are three easy steps to follow in changing oil in a car: drain the old oil, replace the oil
filter and add the new oil..
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Analytical Process
1. A ________________________ works by ___________________________.
Since a process paper is used to tell how to do something, words that relate to the
sequencing of items are needed as transition signals or words. Look at the following examples.
Introductory paragraph
1. Is the process identified?
2. Is the importance of the process indicated?
3. Are reasons included for explaining the process?
4. Are the materials, equipment, or supplies needed for the process included?
5. Does the flow of sentences move from the general to the more specific?
6. Does the thesis statement provide a guide or outline for the rest of the essay?
Supporting Paragraphs
1. Do the supporting paragraphs illustrate the steps in the process?
2. Are appropriate transition signals used to delineate and order the steps in the
process to ensure cohesion?
3. Does the topic sentence of each paragraph have a controlling idea?
4. Is unity achieved by having all the sentences in the paragraph relate to the topic
sentence?
5. Is there a logical concluding sentence for each paragraph?
Concluding Paragraph
1. Does the paragraph restate the importance of the process?
2. Does the paragraph summarize the main steps in the process?
3. Does the paragraph restate the thesis statement?
4. Does the paragraph contain any final thoughts of the writer?
5. Does the paragraph effectively indicate the end of the essay?
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