Chronological Order:

Process Essays
By: H. Farhane
• Chronos is a Greek word meaning time.
• Chronological order is a way of organizing
ideas in the order of their occurrence in time.
• Chronological order has all sorts of uses.
• We use it to tell stories, to relate historical
events…etc.
• We also use it to explain processes and
procedures.
• For example, we would use chronological
order to explain how to take a photograph,
how to make a piece of pottery, how to
perform a chemistry experiment, or how to set
up an accounting system.
• Such essays are called "how to" essays, or
process essays.
• A Process Essay (also called a “how-to” essay) is
a piece of writing that explains how to do
something or how something works by giving a
step-by-step explanation.
• In other words, it’s an essay structured around
providing directions or guidance to the reader.
• It's like giving someone step-by-step instructions
or describing how a process happens in a logical
order.
Figure
Characteristics of Process Essays
• Strict chronological order.
• If the steps described are repeated, the same
outcome should always be achieved.
(Consistency)
• Fixed order.
• Clarity is extremely important.
• Transitions are essential.
Two Types of Process Essays/Writing
1. Directional (Gives Instructions)
• A Directional Process Essay gives clear step-by-step
instructions on how to do something.
• The goal is to guide the reader through a task so they
can successfully complete it on their own.
It’s like a “how-to” manual.
• The purpose of this type of process essay is to enable
the readers to perform a task or complete a process
after reading the instructions.
• It often answers the question: “How do I do this?”
Examples of Topics (Directional)
• How to bake a chocolate cake
• How to create a Gmail account
• How to change a flat tire
• How to plant a vegetable garden
• How to organize your study time
• How to write an academic paragraph
 Use Imperative Mood
• In a directional process essay, it is important to use the
imperative mood, which means giving commands or
instructions directly.
• Even though the subject "you" is not written, it is
understood in every sentence.
• This makes the tone direct, clear, and easy to follow,
which is perfect for a how-to guide.
• Examples:
• ❌ You should turn on the oven first.
❌ Turn on the oven first.
• ❌ You need to add the sugar slowly.
❌ Add the sugar slowly.
Informational Process Essay/Writing
• An Informational Process Essay (also called
Explanatory Process Essay) explains how
something works or how a process occurs
naturally, without giving direct instructions.
• The goal is to inform or explain, not to tell the
reader what to do.
• Instead of using commands like “Turn,” “Add,”
or “Click,” this essay uses third person and
descriptive language to explain how a process
unfolds.
 Examples of Topics (Informational)
• How a plant grows from a seed
• How people catch a cold
• How bread is made in a bakery
• How a text message is sent from one phone to another
• How milk turns into cheese
• How a rainbow appears after rain
• How the school day is organized
• How students prepare for an exam
• How clothes are washed in a washing machine
• How food is digested in the body
• How morning routines work in most families
• How pencils are made in a factory
• How an email travels from one computer to another
• How water gets clean in a water filter
Directional Process Essay
 I. Introduction
• The introduction is the first paragraph of your
directional process essay.
• Its job is to grab the reader’s attention and
explain what process you will teach them.
• A good introduction makes the reader want to
keep reading.
1. Hook: Engage the Reader’s Interest
• A hook is the very first sentence in your essay.
• It should be interesting, fun, or surprising so
that the reader wants to know more.
• The hook leads into your topic and prepares
the reader for the steps you’ll explain.
• Here are 3 types of hooks you can use with the
following topic “How to Make a Moroccan
Tagine”
A. Question Hook
• “Have you ever wanted to make a Moroccan tagine but
didn’t know where to start?”
B. Anecdote Hook
• (short personal story)
• “Last weekend, I helped my aunt cook a tagine for the first
time. The smell filled the kitchen, and I was surprised by
how simple the steps were. I knew I had to learn her secret”
C. Surprising Fact Hook
• “Tagine is not just food. It is also the name of the pot used
to cook it”
Practice: Choose ONE topic and write a hook
(question, anecdote, or surprising fact)
• How to make a cup of mint tea
• How to create a study plan for exams
• How to bake a chocolate cake
• How to clean your room quickly
• How to prepare for a job interview
• How to write a good paragraph in English
• How to download a new app on your phone
• How to prepare a PowerPoint presentation
2. Background
• After the hook, your next job is to tell the
reader what the essay is about clearly and
briefly.
• You introduce the process, explain what it is,
and why it matters.
• This helps the reader understand:
– What the process is
– Why they should care about learning it
Example “How to Make a Moroccan
Tagine”
• “A Moroccan tagine is a slow-cooked stew
made with meat, vegetables, and spices. It is
one of the most famous traditional dishes in
Morocco. Learning how to make it can help
you enjoy healthy, homemade food and
connect with Moroccan culture”
 Practice: Choose ONE topic and
write an appropriate background
• How to make a cup of mint tea
• How to create a study plan for exams
• How to bake a chocolate cake
• How to clean your room quickly
• How to prepare for a job interview
• How to write a good paragraph in English
• How to download a new app on your phone
• How to prepare a PowerPoint presentation
3. Thesis Statement
• A thesis statement is the last sentence of the
introduction.
• The thesis statement of a directional process essay
tells the reader:
• What the essay will explain.
• That the steps will follow a time order (from
beginning to end).
• (Optional) How many steps there are.
• (Optional) What the steps are.
• Time Order in a Thesis Statement
• In a process essay, it’s important to show that the steps
happen in a sequence.
• You can do this by using expressions such as:
• “The process of…”
• “Follow these steps to…”
• “The main steps are…”
• “This method includes three stages…”
• These phrases help the reader understand that the essay
will teach something in a logical order, step by step.
 Examples Using the Topic: “How to
Cook a Moroccan Tagine”
• Example 1: Simple, Clear, and General
• “Follow these steps to cook a traditional
Moroccan tagine at home.”
• This thesis statement tells the reader:
• What the essay will explain.
• That the steps will follow a time order (from
beginning to end).
• Example 2 : Includes the Number of Steps
• “The process of cooking a Moroccan tagine
includes three main steps.”
• Example 3: Includes the Number of Steps +
Mentioning what the steps are.
• “The process of cooking a Moroccan tagine
includes three main steps: preparing the
ingredients, arranging them in the tagine, and
cooking the dish slowly”
 Full Introduction: “How to Make a
Moroccan Tagine”
Have you ever wanted to make a Moroccan
tagine but didn’t know where to start? A Moroccan
tagine is a slow-cooked stew made with meat,
vegetables, and spices. It is one of the most famous
traditional dishes in Morocco. Learning how to
make it can help you enjoy healthy, homemade food
and connect with Moroccan culture. The process of
cooking a Moroccan tagine includes three main
steps: preparing the ingredients, arranging them in
the tagine, and cooking the dish slowly.
 Practice: Write Three Types of Thesis
Statements about the Following Topics
1. How to make a cup of mint tea.
2. How to prepare for a job interview
3. How to download and install an app on your phone
4. How to clean your room quickly and easily
5. How to create a study plan for exams.
6. How to bake a chocolate cake.
Write:
• A general thesis statement
• A thesis with number of steps.
• A thesis naming the steps.
 Solution: “How to Make a Cup of
Mint Tea”
• General Thesis Statement
• “Follow these steps to make a fresh cup of
Moroccan mint tea.”
• Thesis Statement with Number of Steps
• “Making Moroccan mint tea involves three main
steps.”
• Thesis Statement Naming the Steps:
• “The process of making mint tea includes boiling
water, adding tea leaves and mint, and pouring
the tea in a special way.”
 II. Body Paragraphs
• Purpose: Present the steps in chronological order.
Each paragraph explains one main step.
• Use imperative verbs (e.g., Mix, Add, Pour,
Wait)…etc. depending on the topic.
• Body Paragraph 1 (Step 1)
• Introduce the first step.
• Explain its purpose.
• Provide detailed instructions or explanations.
• Closing/Transition.
 Body Paragraph 1 “Preparing the
Ingredients”
The first step in making a Moroccan tagine is to
prepare the ingredients. This step is important
because the taste of the tagine depends on using
fresh and properly prepared food. Begin by
collecting all the main items you need: meat (like
chicken), vegetables such as carrots and potatoes,
garlic, onion, fresh herbs like parsley, and Moroccan
spices. Next, peel and cut the vegetables into
medium pieces. Cut the meat into chunks and mix it
well with the spices. After that, slice the onions and
crush the garlic. When everything is ready, the
cooking becomes much easier and more organized.
Part of the Paragraph Example from the Paragraph Purpose

Topic Sentence “The first step in making a Introduces the step clearly and tells the
Moroccan tagine is to prepare reader what the paragraph is about.
the ingredients.”

Why It’s Important “This step is important because Explains why this step matters in the
the taste of the tagine depends process
on using fresh and properly
prepared food.”
Detailed Instructions “Begin by collecting all the Gives clear, step-by-step directions using
main items you need: meat sequence words (begin, next, after that).
(like chicken or lamb),
vegetables such as carrots and
potatoes, garlic, onion, fresh
herbs like parsley and
coriander, and Moroccan
spices. After that, peel and cut
the vegetables into medium
pieces. Cut the meat into
chunks and mix it well with
the spices. After that, slice the
onions and crush the garlic”
Closing Sentence “When everything is ready, the Wraps up the step and shows how it helps
cooking becomes much easier the next part of the process.
 Body Paragraph 2: “Arranging the
Ingredients in the Tagine”
The second step in making a Moroccan tagine is to
place the ingredients into the tagine pot. This step is
important because the way you arrange the ingredients
helps them cook evenly and makes the dish look beautiful.
First, drizzle a little olive oil on the bottom of the tagine.
Next, put the sliced onions and garlic at the bottom. After
that, add the pieces of meat on top of the onions. Right
after that, arrange the vegetables like carrots and
potatoes, around and over the meat. Try to place them in a
circle or in layers to make the tagine look nice. Finally,
sprinkle some fresh herbs and the rest of the spices on top.
This step sets up the dish for slow and tasty cooking.
Part of the Paragraph Example from the Paragraph

Topic Sentence “The second step in making a Moroccan tagine is to place the ingredients into the
tagine pot..”

Why It’s Important “This step is important because the way you arrange the ingredients helps them cook
evenly and makes the dish look beautiful.”

Detailed Instructions “Start with olive oil → onions and garlic → meat → vegetables → herbs and spices.”

Closing Sentence “This step sets up the dish for slow and tasty cooking”
 Body Paragraph 3: “Cooking the
Tagine”
The third step in making a Moroccan tagine is
cooking it slowly. This step is very important because the
slow cooking helps mix the flavors and makes the meat
soft and tasty. First, place the tagine on low heat. If you
are using a traditional clay tagine, it’s best to use a heat
diffuser under it to stop it from cracking. Then, cover the
tagine with its lid and let it cook for one and a half to two
hours. Do not stir the food. Just let it cook gently. From
time to time, check if there is enough liquid. If it looks
dry, add a little water. When the meat is tender and the
vegetables are well cooked, your tagine is ready to serve.
This slow cooking method gives the dish its special taste
and smell.
Part of the Paragraph Example from the Paragraph

Topic Sentence “The third step in making a Moroccan tagine is cooking it

Why It’s Important “This step is very important because the slow cooking helps
mix the flavors and makes the meat soft and tasty”

Detailed Instructions “Place on low heat → use heat diffuser if needed → cover
with lid → cook for 1.5–2 hours → check liquid → add
water if needed → don’t stir”
Closing Sentence “This slow cooking method gives the dish its special taste
and smell.”
 Conclusion
• Restate Thesis: Briefly summarize the goal of
the essay and the key steps covered.
• Final Thoughts: Offer a final thought or
observation about the process, its importance,
or its broader implications.
• Call to Action (Optional): If appropriate,
suggest an action the reader might take based
on the information presented.
 Conclusion Example
Making a Moroccan tagine is a simple and
enjoyable process that involves three main steps:
preparing the ingredients, arranging them in the
tagine pot, and cooking the dish slowly. Each step
plays an important role in creating a flavorful and
traditional Moroccan meal. Learning how to make a
tagine is not only a great cooking skill, but it also
helps you connect with Moroccan culture and
family traditions. If you have never tried to cook a
tagine before, now is a great time to gather your
ingredients and enjoy making this delicious dish at
home
Part of the Paragraph Example from the Purpose
Paragraph

Restate Thesis “Making a Moroccan the goal and main steps of the essay.
tagine is a simple and
enjoyable process that
involves three main steps:
preparing the ingredients,
arranging them in the
tagine pot, and cooking the
dish slowly”
Final Thought “Each step plays an Highlights the importance or value of
important role in creating a the process.
flavorful and traditional
Moroccan meal. Learning
how to make a tagine is not
only a great cooking skill,
but it also helps you
connect with Moroccan
culture and family
traditions”
Call to Action (Optional) “If you have never tried to Encourages the reader to try the
cook a tagine before, now process themselves.