PREWRITE

Use whatever method works for you brainstorming , clustering , free writing, questioning, listing, etc. Prewriting will help determine if the essay is instructional or informational. It will also help when writing the introduction.

If you are writing an instructional essay, think about how learning the process will help the reader
If you are writing an informative essay, think of the overall point you are trying to make. Organize your essay into an outline

-Informal outline
-formal outline -sentence outline.

THE INTRODUCTION
The introduction to a process essay MUST establish background and context. Informational essay, the bigger picture is analyzed Instructional essay, importance of learning the process you are writing about.

Remember: You dont always have to write the introduction first, you can write the body paragraphs and then write the Intro.

BODY
Topic sentences should not be implied, and should begin in a paragraph not conclude. Always use transitions. It helps the essay flow easily and is easier to read.

Use rhetorical options description, narration, exemplification, causal analysis, definition, compare and contrast.

CONCLUSION
Do not summarize your whole essay in you concluding paragraph Do not start talking about new topics in your conclusion Your conclusion should comment on the significance of your subject.

Revise your essay analyze it yourself or have others revise it for you.

AVOID!!!
- Informal Languages - Use of wrong verb tenses (process essays are usually in one verb tense) - Avoid punctuation errors - Avoid spelling errors - Avoid grammar errors

MUSTS!!!
- Know your audience - Have a good working title

- Clearly explain the ordered steps in the process

- Have a sound introduction, thesis statement and conclusion - Effectively use transition words - REMEMBER TO PROOFREAD!!!!

PROCESS ESSAY STRUCTURE

- Choosing a topic - Brainstorming - Conducting Research - Thesis Statement - Outline - Introduction

- Body
- Conclusion - Editing/Proofreading

CHOOSING A TOPIC
Imagination!!!Passion!!! The choice of a topic should be the answer of either or both of these questions: - What do you know how to do? - What do you want to know how to do?

BRAINSTORMING
- This is a very important part of pre-writing. It involves an effective and efficient activity to generate new ideas, thoughts that eventually lead to the solutions at the time. **Brainstorming is always done best with a refreshed mind

The next and most important step is to combine these ideas and thoughts into steps that can be reflected on the outline.

CONDUCTING RESEARCH
- Find background information of your subject - Plan and search - Find books, periodicals, journals, internet, and other sources - Evaluate the information you have found - Identify and include convincing facts and evidences into your writing

THESIS STATEMENT & OUTLINE

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The thesis statement is usually at the end of the first paragraph, and tells the reader the content of the essay. It gives the essay an idea of what the essay is about.

- After brainstorming, setting up an outline should not be a problem. The outline gives the writer a sense of direction; it also saves him time as well

INTRODUCTION/BODY/CONCLUSION
The introduction should clearly state the purpose of the essay; The introduction contains the thesis, and therefore should provide background for the entire essay - Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence. **A topic sentence is usually the first or second sentence of a paragraph, and it should serve as the main point for the paragraph Give supporting points for the topic sentence, and write one or two sentences to conclude the paragraph. - Conclusion should effectively summarize the main ideas of the essay, and actively restate the thesis statement
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CONCLUSION: EDITING AND PROOFREADING

Basically, do not fall victim to any of the problems mentioned on the AVOID!!! slide.