Major Writing Assignments: The Process Paper

English 97
Major Writing Assignment #3

The Process Essay

Your final major writing assignment will be a process essay which either explains how or why something works the way it does (like why leaves turn yellow and red in the fall) or gives directions to someone on how to do something (like how to have a garage sale.)

Think of one process that you know a fair deal about since this is not really supposed to be a research paper. Remember that this is a 2-3 page paper so pick your topic accordingly—how to clean out a locker would be too simple; how to build an engine might be a bit complex. Please do NOT do recipes. Start with brainstorming the major steps of your process, making sure to list each step. Carefully think about what your audience may or may not know, giving hints, tips, or advice and explanations of why something is important or what not to do as needed. If you are explaining a fairly technical procedure, make sure you give explanations of what certain things/terminologies are (i.e. a fairway, a jump, a carburetor, etc.) Consider your purpose as while—do you want to merely inform or also to entertain and/or persuade?

Finally, when you are ready to write, make sure to follow the structure of an essay. Start with an interesting lead-in (examples on p.166) and make sure to have a thesis that has some tension and includes the main point of your essay. Use clear topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph, including transitions to guide your reader and achieve coherence. Assume your audience/reader has some knowledge of your process but is no expert so make sure your have adequate supporting details to make the process clear to a beginner.

All drafts should be double-spaced, preferably typed. Final drafts MUST be typed, double-spaced, 12 point font, standard Word margins, and approximately 2-3 pages and have your name, class, and date on the top of the page. In order to get full credit for the peer response time, you need to be present on the day the drafts are exchanged with enough copies of your draft for members of your group. You also need to be present the day the peer group meets, having read and responded to all the other members’ papers. Remember, the groups only work as well as those who participate in it.

Deadlines
First draft due
Peer response
Final draft due

Note: no 2nd draft will be required, but you should proofread your own drafts carefully!