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PROCESS PARAGRAPHS MA. Hoang Nu Minh Chau



WHAT IS A PROCESS PARAGRAPH? • A process paragraph explains how to do something step by step. The reader should be able to follow the steps to get desired result.



• There are two common types of process paragraphs:  A paragraph that gives instructions on how to do something, for example, how to cook an egg.  A paragraph that explains how something works or happens, for example, how a hurricane happens.



 A process paragraph that



gives instruction on how to do something.



 A process paragraph that explains how something happens.



Quiz 1. a. b. c. 2. a. b. c. 3. a. b. c.



Which topic is a real-life process? Telling someone how to order supplies Telling someone that you have learned how to use the new photocopier Telling someone what you did on the weekend Which topic is a process? A paragraph describing the laws of a country. A paragraph describing who makes laws for a country. A paragraph describing the way the government makes laws for a country. Which topic is a process? How friendly the people in your neighbourhood are. How much it costs to live in your neighbourhood. How people can travel to your neighbourhood on the bus.



PROCESS ORGANIZATION  Topic Sentence - Introduces the process that the writer will explain.



 Supporting Sentences - The middle sentences describe a sequence of steps that give detailed information about the stages of the process. - These sentences may also give background details that help define the process for the reader or explain why this process is useful or necessary. - Supporting sentences may also include the tools needed for the task.



 Concluding Sentence - Restates the topic sentence using different words. - May also include a suggestion or warning to help the reader do the task more easily.



Writing Topic Sentences



It is easy to cook a fried egg if you follow these steps. or There are four important steps you should understand if you want to cook the perfect fried egg.



There are a number of things you should prepare before a job interview.



Not everyone can be a good leader. However, if you have a plan, you can acquire some excellent leadership skills.



BRAINSTORMING AND OUTLINING Now let’s practice brainstorming! 1. How to impress your crush 2. How to make lemon juice 3. How rain is formed



 Think about how much information your audience, the reader, needs. If the reader knows very little about the topic, then you need to give a lot of information.  List all the steps necessary to complete the process.  Put all the steps in chronological order.



Put the steps in the appropriate order for "Using an Automatic Bank Machine". 1



2



a. Push the button next to the account you want to use.



b. Punch in your personal identification number. c. Insert your ATM card into the machine. d. Count the money to make sure the amount is correct.



3



4



e. Enter the amount of cash you want. f.



Take your card and your receipt.



g. Push the button next to withdraw cash. 5



6



7



COMPLETING AN OUTLINE A PROCESS Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences



- Background information - Step 1 - Step 2 - Step 3 - Step 4 … Concluding Sentence



DEVELOPING YOUR IDEAS TIME TRANSITION • Time transitions are words such as: first, then, next, while, later, finally, etc. • These words tell the audience when to do something or when something happens. They show the order of the instructions and how each instruction connects with another instruction.



IMPROVING YOUR WRITING IMPERATIVE • You can use the imperative verb form to give instructions. • The imperative helps you avoid using the word "you" too much. Also use imperatives to give warnings.



Ex: Get a pot big enough to hold one egg. Fill the pot 4/5 full with water. Put in the egg. Put the pot on the stove. Turn the heat to high and wait until the water boils. Boil the egg in the water for three minutes. Take the egg out of the pot and put it in an egg cup. Eat the egg.



IMPROVING YOUR WRITING MODAL • You can use modals to give suggestions, emphasize certain steps, and give instructions.



Ex: If you like hard-boiled eggs better than soft-boiled eggs, you should boil the egg for five minutes. You can let the egg stand in hot water for two more minutes to be sure it is hard enough. You must cook the egg more than four minutes.



IMPROVING YOUR WRITING PASSIVE • You can use the passive voice to show that an action is done. The passive avoids saying who or what does the action.



Ex: First, a small pot is filled 4/5 full with water. The egg is placed in the water. The pot of water is put on the stove and the heat is turned to high. When the water is boiling, the egg is boiled for three minutes. Finally, the egg is taken out of the pot, put into an egg cup, and eaten.



REVISING AND EDITING YOUR WRITING