A process paper either tells the reader how to do something or describes how something is done. As you write your process essay, consider the following:
- What process are you trying to explain? Why is it important?
- Who or what does the process affect?
- Are there different ways of doing the process? If so, what are they?
- Who are the readers? What knowledge do they need to understand this process?
- What skills/equipment are needed for this?
- How long does the process take? Is the outcome always the same?
- How many steps are there in the process?
- Why is each step important?
- What difficulties are involved in each step? How can they be overcome?
- Do any cautions need to be given?
- Does the process have definitions that need to be clarified?
- Are there other processes that are similar and could help illustrate the process that you are writing about?
- If needed, tell what should not be done or why something should be done.
Process essays are generally organized according to time: that is, they begin with the first step in the process and proceed in time until the last step in the process. It's natural, then, that transition words indicate that one step has been completed and a new one will begin. Some common transitional words used in process essays are listed below:
| Transition | |
| After a few hours, | Immediately following, |
| Afterwards, | Initially, |
| At last | In the end, |
| At the same time, | In the future, |
| Before | In the meantime, |
| Before this, | In the meanwhile, |
| Currently, | Last, Last but not least, Lastly, |
| During | Later, |
| Eventually, | Meanwhile, |
| Finally, | Next, Soon after, |
| First, Second, Third, etc. | Previously, |
| First of all, | Simultaneously, |
| Formerly | Subsequently, |
| Immediately before, | Then, |
Guidelines for Essay
· 350 – 500 words long or longer· 1” margins and double-spaced
· Title
· Name, date and type of essay in the corner
· Page numbers in the bottom right corner
