Lab Activity 21: Explaining a Process

Lab Activities
Lab Activity 21: Explaining a Process

Objective To practice writing an essay that explains a process.

Step 1: For each topic below, list the specific steps involved.

Example:
Buying a used car
a. Determine how much money you can spend.
b. Research as best you can the types and ages of cars available in your price range.
c. Search for cars with the features you want on the Internet, in newspaper ads, in car-marketing magazines, at used car dealers, and among your acquaintances.
d. Go for test drives of specific cars you might like, checking maintenance records when possible.
e. When you find a car you want, have a mechanic you trust check it out carefully.
f. Use the information from your mechanic to help you bargain with the seller for the best price.


		1. Choosing a college to which to apply To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		2. Breaking the bad habit of _____________________ (fill in the blank) To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 2:* Choose a topic for an essay about a process that can be explained in a series of steps. You may choose your own topic, or you may pick from the following: Training a pet to do something Asking your boss for a raise Cooking a special dish Tracing your family's genealogy Learning how to knit Planning a two-week vacation Caring for your teeth Having a successful party Your topic: To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 3:* Take five or ten minutes for prewriting about your topic to get yourself started. Listing is a good prewriting strategy for this type of essay. To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 4:* Write a thesis statement for an essay explaining the process of your choice. Your thesis statement: To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 5:* Review the prewriting and thesis statement you wrote in Steps 3 and 4. Make a list of the steps involved in the process you are explaining. Next, edit the list to eliminate irrelevant steps, and organize the list in time sequence order. Try to use transitions to introduce new steps and link your ideas. To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 6:* Now, write a rough draft of an introductory paragraph for your essay. For this paragraph, you may want to sketch out an overview of the process, mentioning only the most important steps. Or, you may want to start by explaining the process from the first step. Don't worry about getting it perfect at this point. Adding details and fine-tuning transitions can come later. To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 7:* Now, write a rough draft of the body paragraphs for your essay. Follow the list you mapped out in Step 5. To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

		*Step 8:* Now, write a rough draft of a concluding paragraph for your essay. You may want to conclude your essay with the last step or two in the process you are explaining. Then, you may want to add a sentence or two giving a summary or adding final thoughts. To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.