Writing a Process Analysis Essay

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Writing a Process Analysis Essay

• Catherine Wishart
• Senior Adjunct Instructor
• Rowan College at Burlington County

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What is a Process Analysis Essay?

• A process analysis essay can either provide steps
  on how to do something or provide information.
• A process analysis essay may explain to the
  reader
• How to perform steps in a process.
• How something works.
• How the important steps in a process coalesce.
• The logical order in which to do something.
• A process analysis essay also may
• Describe how something is done.
• Explain how something happens.

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What is a Process?

• A process may be
• A series of actions.
• Specific changes.
• Certain steps, operations, or functions.
• All of these are meant to demonstrate how to
  achieve a particular result.
• While some essays may focus on what, process
  analysis normally focuses on how.
• Writing about a process should be accomplished in
  a logical order.
• Many times in a process, the logical order will
  be chronological.
• The logical order may also be order of importance
  in order to accomplish the particular result.
• Source www.southtexascollege.edu/dev-english/2/
  i-process_analysis.ppt.

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Process Analysis Essay considerations

• Make sure that the process described is a good
  fit for the intended audience.
• Make sure that the idea is unusual or even
  unique.
• When reading the selections on The American
  Dream for this essay, avoid the obvious.
• Dig deep and find a novel point of view about
  which to write.
• Make sure that the process decided upon to
  describe can be fully explained in a 5 paragraph
  essay.

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Writing a Process Analysis Essay on The American
Dream

• Based on the readings provided, consider the
  questions below
• How can the American Dream survive?
• How does education play into the American Dream?
• How does capitalism play into the American Dream?
  
• How can the government help the American Dream
  remain a reality?
• How does ethnicity and racism effect the American
  Dream?
• How do we create equal access to the American
  Dream?
• How can the definition of the American Dream be
  changed?
• How does globalization make the American Dream
  harder/easier to achieve?
• Note that each question asks how. Answering
  how is the purpose of a process analysis essay.
  

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Dividing the Process

• For the purposes of this essay, focus in on three
  main steps, three main pieces of information,
  three main actions, or three main changes needed
  in order to achieve the particular result or
  goal.
• The essay should use this format for the thesis
  statement
• When considering the American Dream, some
  experts believe that ______________, __________,
  and ______________ be completed in order for
  _________.
• The pattern for this essay will be
• Introduction
• Step, information, action, or change 1
• Step, information, action, or change 2
• Step, information, action, or change 3
• Conclusion that demonstrates the end result of
  the process.

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Introductory paragraph

• Use a hook to engage the reader
• Make certain that the reader understands why
  knowing how this process works is important.
• Transition from the hook to the thesis statement
• Thesis statement follow the pattern required for
  this group essay When considering the American
  Dream, some experts believe that
  ___________________, _______________, and
  ___________________ be completed in order for
  ___________________________.

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Each Body Paragraph should include

• A topic sentence that informs the reader what the
  paragraph will cover.
• Supporting details that include a quotation,
  summary statement, or paraphrase of at least one
  of the authors read.
• A closing that explains the function of what was
  described in the paragraph and that may help to
  transition to the next paragraph.

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The Conclusion

• The result of the process should be demonstrated.
• Restate the thesis statement in a novel way.
• Include closing remarks that give the reader
  something to think about
• It may discuss the future.
• It may inspire the reader.
• It may provide contemplation on the impact the
  process has on families.

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The Importance of third person

• Each essay for this course is a formal writing
  assignment.
• Even though the task of this essay is to describe
  a process, the paper must be written in a formal
  voice.
• Do NOT use second person. This means that the
  essay must not include these words
• You
• Your
• Youre
• However, you understood, as in a command, is
  acceptable when explaining steps in a process.
• Attempt to stay in third person he, she, it,
  they, one, the family.

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The he art of synthesis

• Besides being a specific type of essay, all
  essays for this class are expected to be a
  synthesis essay.
• When synthesizing information, the writer
  combines information from several sources in
  order to create new knowledge or explore a new
  perspective.
• By definition, a synthesis essay uses more than
  one source and finds common themes amongst these
  sources.
• For the process analysis essay, groups are
  expected to use at least three of the passages
  the class read on The American Dream. Utilizing
  each source can be accomplished by
• Directly quoting the source (make sure to
  integrate the quote into the groups own
  writing).
• Paraphrasing information from the source
  (parenthetical citation still required).
• Summarize a portion of the source (least
  favorable method parenthetical citation still
  required).

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Sample Essays

• An example of a process analysis essay, including
  comments by the original professor, has been
  posted by Jefferson Davis Community College. This
  essay may be accessed at www.easyliteracy.com/pro
  cessanalysisessayjdcc.doc
• An example of a synthesis essay, which was
  converted from APA to MLA, may be accessed at
  www.easylitercy.com/synthesisexessay.pdf This
  essay was originally located at
  http//www.tracihv.net/SmpleStudEssayAPA.htm
• Information about writing a synthesis essay,
  including a checklist to assist in checking group
  work may be found at Drew Universitys On-line
  Resources for Writers site http//www.users.drew.
  edu/sjamieso/Synthesis.htm

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Writing Collaboratively

• Writing collaboratively is both invigorating and
  frustrating.
• Being able to bounce ideas off others may lead to
  lively discussions, deeper reading, and better
  writing skills.
• Working with others also may lead to frustration
  that a particular thought or idea is not the
  consensus of the group.
• If a specific group needs assistance in working
  together, these sites may help
• The University of North Alabama offers assistance
  in how to assign roles within a group. Remember,
  though, that the expectation is that all members
  of the group will be part of the editing process.
  http//www.una.edu/writingcenter/docs/Writing-Reso
  urces/Collaborative-Writing-Help.pdf
• Texas AM also offers advice on how to assign
  roles and manage the group process
  http//writingcenter.tamu.edu/2010/composing-proce
  ss/collaborative-writing-peer-response/managing-gr
  oup-writing-projects-2/

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Bibliography

• Jamieson, Sandra. Synthesis Writing. On-Line
  Resources for Writers. 1999. Web. 25 Jan. 2013.
• Process Analysis Essay, The. Academic Support
  Center Writing Lab. Austin Peay State University.
  Web. 25 Jan. 2013.
• Process Analysis Essay PowerPoint. South Texas
  College. Web. 25 Jan. 2013.
• Process Analysis Essay. Writing Resources.
  Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning. Oct. 2010.
  Web. 25 Jan. 2013.
• Process Analysis Sample Essay. Jefferson Davis
  Community College. Web. 25 Jan. 2013.
• What is a Synthesis Essay? The Writing Lab.
  Bellevue College. Web. 25 Jan. 2013.
• Note Additional resources are listed with
  direct links within this PowerPoint.