II.

Process Analysis Essay

1. Definition:
If we are to define process analysis it can be said that it is the examination of a series of activities that
results in a certain planned output. In a process analysis essay, you write to explain how to do something or how
something works. Whereas the narrative essay tells what happens and the cause and effect essay tells why it
happens, the process analysis explains how it happens. a good process analysis either helps your readers
perform the steps or it can help them understand how something works.
2. Types of process analysis:
There are two types of process essays: directional and informational.
 The directional type essays tell how to do something. For example, a directional process might explain
how to find an apartment. The purpose of this type of essay is to clarify the steps in the procedure so that
the reader can re-create the steps and the results.

 How to bake a cake

 How to assemble a bookshelf
 How to set up a new email account
 The informational type essays tell how something works, how something is made, or how something
occurred. This type of essay explains or analyzes a process. For example, you could explain how World
War II began or how hurricanes form. The informational process essay has a purpose different from that
of a directional process essay. It s main purpose is to inform, explain, or analyze. The reader is gaining
an understanding of the process; he or she does not necessarily expect to be able to recreate the process .
 How photosynthesis works
 How a company’s hiring process is structured
 How the human digestive system operates
The choice between directional and informational approaches to process analysis would however depend on
the subject. An analysis of the process of repairing an automobile will necessarily have to be directional. On
the other hand, clarifying how [Link] wrote his first book has to be informational.

3. Planning The Process Analysis Essay

Though directional or informational processes have different purposes, they can be developed by using
the same pattern of development and organization. To construct adequately the process analysis essay, some
advice should be taken into account by the writer.

 Be aware of the audience. Because your piece of writing is written for a given audience, you should
know before starting the planning of your process essay what do your readers know about the topic
you will develop. To who I’m writing, or the identification of the audience is important in deciding
what to include and what to omit in the essay. For example, imagine that you decided to explain how
to prepare a traditional cake to an inexperienced audience - people who never before prepared a cake.
You would have to be very specific and assume that the readers know little or nothing about the
process. However, if your audience is made up of professional or experienced in this field, you
would have to approach the assignment differently. In this case, you would provide them with
something special say new techniques in preparing this cake that your audience may not be aware of.

 Order the steps chronologically. Knowing that a process analysis essay describes a sequence of steps, it
is important that these steps have to be discussed in the order that they occur. In other words, the steps
should be arranged in chronological order. Ordering ideas chronologically is vital, especially if readers
are to be able to re-create the process. The principle of organization in a process analysis essay is the
same followed in a narration essay. The only exception to break from chronological order is when you
find it important to explain an unfamiliar word, or to give an advice.
4. Suggested transition words:
Like narration essays, Process essays are generally organized according to time: that is, they begin with the
first step in the process and proceed in time until the last step in the process. Some common transitional words
used in process essays are listed below:

One Another
time Transition time
TIME
After a few hours, Immediately following, ,Eventually
Afterwards, Initially, ,Finally
At last In the end, .First, Second, Third, etc
At the same time, In the future, ,First of all
Before In the meantime, Formerly
Before this, In the meanwhile, ,Immediately before
Currently, Last, Last but not least, Lastly, ,Subsequently
During Later, ,Then
,Previously Meanwhile, Next, Soon after,
,Simultaneously

2. A Sample of Process Essay

Successful Exercise
Regular exercise is something like the weather—we all talk about it, but we tend not 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.
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're already getting up too early, what's an extra
half hour? Of course, that time could be cut to 15 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.
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'll be in your own home, there's 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 won't bruise yourself on it or other furniture. Then get out the simple
materials you'll need to exercise with.

Finally, use common sense in getting started. Common sense isn't so common, as anyone who reads
the newspapers and watches the world can tell you. 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're a dancer and make each move graceful,
even if it's 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.
Establishing an exercise program isn't difficult, but it can't 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. As my doctor likes to say, "if you don't use it, you'll lose it."

Questions on the model:

1. What is the thesis?
2. Does the author establish a need for this process? If so, where?
3. Look at the paragraph divisions. Why does the author divide the steps as he does?
4. What are the steps of this process?
5. What is the principle of organization followed in this essay?
6. Is there a topic sentence for each paragraph? If not, is it implied?
7. Is the essay unified? Coherent?
8. Are the steps clearly explained? Is the process complete?
9. Who is the audience?
10. Is this essay an informational or directional process explanation?
11. What tense verbs are used in this essay? Underline them in the essay.
12. Is the conclusion appropriate and logical
13. Write an outline of this essay.

Essential Elements of a Process Paper

Several essential elements define an effective process essay:
 Clarity in Instructions – Every step should be explained precisely, avoiding vague or confusing details.
 Logical Sequencing – Steps must be presented correctly to ensure smooth comprehension.
 Transitional Phrases – Words like first, next, then, and finally help maintain a natural flow.
 Potential Challenges – Identifying possible difficulties and offering solutions can enhance the reader’s
understanding.
Understanding the main parts of a process essay, such as the introduction, body, and conclusion, ensures readers
can easily follow along and apply what they’ve learned.
Exercise: using the preceding essay as a sample, choose one of the following topics then write a process
analysis essay. First decide if you want write a directional process or an informational process. Then make a
list in a chronological order of the steps involved in the process. Make sure that the process is complete.
Define any unfamiliar term. Be sure to use appropriate transitions.

1) Write an essay on how to prepare and eat one of your traditional dishes?
2) Explain how to repair something, such as sewing on a button or changing a car tire?
3) Can you explain the life cycle of an insect (butter fly, bee…)?