explanation of a process essay examples

5 Process Essay Examples

A process essay is a type of essay that explains a process in detail. Good process essays don’t just explain the process but provides details about common mistakes to avoid as well as tips and methods to achieve success. Below are some example essays:

Process Essay Examples

#1 how to bake a chocolate cake.

1337 Words | 4 Pages

Thesis Statement: “The purpose of this essay is to guide readers through the enjoyable and straightforward process of baking a chocolate cake, highlighting the essential steps and tips to ensure a delicious and successful outcome.”

#2 How to Write a Resume

Thesis Statement: “This essay aims to provide a comprehensive guide on crafting an effective resume, detailing each step from gathering relevant information to finalizing the document, while offering practical tips and common pitfalls to avoid, ensuring a polished and professional presentation of one’s career achievements and qualifications.”

#3 How to Train for a Marathon

1508 Words | 5 Pages

Thesis Statement: “This essay provides a comprehensive guide to marathon training, detailing a strategic approach to building endurance, strength, and speed, coupled with essential advice on nutrition, hydration, and mental preparation, to equip runners of all levels with the knowledge and tools necessary for successfully completing a marathon.”

#4 How to Prepare for a Job Interview

1309 Words | 5 Pages

Thesis Statement: “This essay outlines a comprehensive strategy for job interview preparation, encompassing in-depth company research, personalized response formulation, professional presentation, and logistical planning, to equip candidates with the tools necessary for making a compelling and confident impression in their pursuit of career opportunities.”

#5 How to Write an Essay

1473 Words | 5 Pages

Thesis Statement: “This essay outlines a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to essay writing, from understanding the prompt to the final stages of revision and editing, providing essential tips and strategies to enhance writing skills and ensure the creation of a well-structured, persuasive, and effectively communicated piece.”

How to Write a Process Essay

The following template provides an overview of a process essay structure:

Grab this process essay template here.

Instructions: To write a process essay, start by introducing the process and its significance, ensuring the reader understands the purpose and value of the instructions. Next, present the preparation and materials required, before outlining each step of the process in a logical order, offering detailed explanations, tips, and potential pitfalls to avoid, ensuring clarity and ease of understanding. Conclude by summarizing the main steps and reinforcing the benefits or results of completing the process, leaving the reader with a clear understanding and the confidence to undertake the task.

How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Process

To write a thesis statement for a process essay, identify the process you’re explaining and clearly state the purpose or goal of the essay. Concisely outline the primary steps or stages involved in the process, ensuring clarity and direction for the reader. The thesis should be informative, indicating what the reader can expect to learn and achieve by following the essay.

💡 AI Prompt For Writing a Process Essay Thesis Statement “Create a thesis statement for a process essay on [TOPIC] that clearly identifies the specific process being explained. The thesis should state the purpose of the essay and briefly outline the main steps or stages involved in the process. Ensure that the statement is concise, informative, and guides the reader on what they will learn and achieve by reading the essay.”

Read Also: 101 Thesis Statement Examples

Suggested Process Essay Topics

For Grades 4 to 8:

• How to Organize a School Backpack.
• Steps to Create a Simple Science Fair Project.
• The Process of Planting and Caring for a Vegetable Garden.
• How to Write a Book Report.
• Making a Handcrafted Greeting Card.

For Grades 9 to 12:

• How to Prepare for the SATs.
• Steps for Conducting a Basic Scientific Experiment.
• Crafting an Effective Persuasive Essay.
• Planning and Executing a Community Service Project.
• The Process of Creating a Personal Budget.

For University/College:

• How to Conduct a Literature Review for a Research Paper.
• Writing a Successful College Application Essay.
• The Process of Developing a Mobile App.
• How to Create a Comprehensive Marketing Plan.
• Steps for Conducting a Qualitative Research Study.
• Preparing and Delivering an Effective Oral Presentation.
• The Process of Writing a Business Plan.
• How to Analyze a Case Study in Business School.
• Crafting a Dissertation or Thesis Proposal.
• Developing and Implementing a Personal Fitness Plan.

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Take action! Choose one of the following options to start writing your essay now:

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Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
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• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

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How to write a process essay

• August 25, 2023

Process essays are one of the most common types of essays . It’s simply explaining a process of how to do something. 

In this article, we’ll show you how to write a process essay in steps with interactive examples. 

Process essay definition

Let’s take a look at the steps outlined below to write a clear and effective process essay. 

Choose a topic

You should start by choosing a topic that not only interests you but also attracts your target audience. 

Whether it’s brewing the perfect cup of coffee or conquering the art of origami, your topic should be engaging and well-defined.  Let’s have a look at topic examples:

• Crafting Exquisite Miniature Bookbindings
• Building a Sustainable Vertical Garden
• Making the Perfect Cup of Coffee

So for this guide, I’ve chosen “Making the Perfect Cup of Coffee”. Now let’s continue with the next steps.

Create a process essay outline

Now that you’ve your topic at hand, it’s time to create an outline to present the steps chronologically. Outline will also help you organize your thoughts and ideas so you won’t get lost during the writing process.

Let’s examine this step with an example of a process essay explaining “Making the Perfect Cup of Coffee”.

Process essay outline example

• Thesis statement
• Provide safety precautions if necessary.
• Address to the reader
• Provide any variations or customization options if applicable.
• End with a memorable concluding thought or call to action.

By presenting the steps in chronological order, your readers can follow the process smoothly. 

During this step, just make sure to:

• Expand on each step you outlined earlier.
• Use clear and concise language.
• Make use of bullet points or numbered lists to make the process visually appealing.

After completing the outline, it’s time to write an interesting introduction.

Write an introduction

• Hook the reader's interest with a hook sentence
• Offer a brief overview of the topic and its significance
• Introduce and explain the process with a thesis statement at the end of introduction

Process essay introduction example

Introduction

Now that we have an intro on our hand, you need to tell what materials you need to finish the process.

Write the materials needed for the process

Listing the necessary materials for the process is a best practice for process essays. Typically found just after the introduction, this paragraph is devoted to outlining the necessary materials.

Here, p rioritizing the list is important; the more influential a component is, the higher its position on the list should be.

Example material list for process essay

Body paragraphs

Materials needed

• High-quality coffee beans that align with your flavor preference.
• A grinder for optimal flavor extraction.
• Equipment for brewing methods, such as a pour-over apparatus, a drip coffee maker, a French press, or an espresso machine.
• Fresh and clean water for brewing.
• Optional additives like milk, cream, sugar, flavored syrups, or other preferred elements.

Start writing the process

Right after listing the materials needed, it’s time to start writing the process itself.

When describing your process, be careful not to make it too complicated. To keep your readers on track, use transitional words like “after,” “eventually,” “first,” “then,” and others help you maintain an understandable tone.  

Or simply use a 1,2,3, bullet point structure as seen in example below to remind readers of their step during the process.

Body paragraphs - Process writing example

Materials needed ...

• Grind the beans just before brewing for optimal freshness. Use a burr grinder and adjust the coarseness to match your brewing method (coarse for French press, fine for espresso).
• Weigh your coffee grounds using a scale. A standard ratio is 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water, but adjust to your taste.
• Ensure the water is heated to the ideal temperature, typically between 195-205°F (90-96°C). Water that's too hot or too cold can affect the taste.
• Pay attention to the brewing time. Generally, 4-5 minutes is suitable for most methods, but again, adjust based on your preference.
• After finishing, regularly clean your coffee maker or French press to prevent rancid oils and residue from affecting your coffee's taste.

As seen from the example above, using an imperative language structure is generally preferable. It makes total sense as you’re describing a process in steps and usually don’t need a full sentence structure. 

Give tips and supporting details

After explaining the process above, it’s now time to provide tips and supporting details. Here, make use examples, tips, and even warnings if necessary. 

In other words, anticipate the questions your readers might have and address them as you go along. 

Body paragraphs - Supporting details

Supporting details & tips

• Ensure safe handling of hot water and coffee-making equipment.
• Water that's too hot can result in over-extraction, while water that's too cold won't extract enough flavor.

Write a conclusion

At this step, you simply need to write a conclusion paragraph to end your process essay. First summarize the key points, and restate the process in a concise and short sentence. And finally, finish your process essay by a memorable sentence or a call-to-action. 

Process essay conclusion example

Revise and polish your essay.

Now that you’ve written your essay, take a breath, and then come back for some editing. Check for consistency, correct sentence structure, efficient transitions , tense selection , and other linguistic issues that may arise. 

If possible, make use of proofreading tools like QuillBot or Grammarly . 

• Think about potential reader misunderstandings and address them. If needed, explain what should be avoided.
• Offer explanations for steps that might seem unusual or complicated.
• Define any unfamiliar terms or materials that the reader might not understand. This ensures clarity in your essay.

So  you’ve successfully learned how to write a captivating process essay. Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you write, the better you’ll become.

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Process Essay

Do you know all those YouTube do-it-yourself (DIY) tutorials that they post online? When you consider posting that other than a process essay, it usually attracts more viewers and generates more subscribers on your YouTube channel as people these days are considered more visual in terms of learning new skills or facts. But process essays are just more than how-to videos or DIY videos, an accurate description of a process essay is that it simply describes a procedure. You may also see a  short essay .

• 22+ examples of free essays .
• 10+ Essay Writing Examples

This kind of essay provides a step-by-step explanation of a process that leads to an expected or planned outcome. What people do not know that the aforementioned process may either be concrete or abstract. Simply put, there are two types of process essays: directional process essays (give instructions in steps on how to accomplish a specific task), and informational process essays (explains or analyzes a process). You may also see self-introduction essay

Student Process Essay Example

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Process Analysis Essay Example

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Plain Process Essay Example

http://degregoristore.com/

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Preparation in Writing a Process Essay

1. assess your audience’s skill level.

Before you begin, you need to first take your audience’s skill level into consideration. In a lot of DIY videos and how-to videos that you see in numerous TV shows, you can see that the hosts will often make use of very simple language so that the people who decide to subscribe on their YouTube channels and watch those DIY videos will be able to understand them very easily. Another thing that you should assume is that everyone who decides to check out your videos or read your process essay has little to no knowledge of the said topic, depending on the content you decide to release or publish. Before you even begin to write your essay, you have to understand the parts that comprise an essay .

For example, a process essay intended for professional chefs could probably skip a description of how to chop carrots and just say, “Finely chop the carrots,” instead.

2. Make a list of the materials needed

If you already have an idea on what kind of process you are going to release or publish, the next thing to do would most probably be to draft a list of the materials or ingredients that your audience or viewers might need so that they can follow along. It may be easier to do so in your own DIY or “How To” videos, as it is more visual and that the viewers could clearly see as to what these products look like should they get confused, but for process essays, it is a bit tricky. One tip that you could follow would be to include a comprehensive “Things You’ll Need” section at the beginning of the paper or simply list the materials needed after the introduction so that the readers of your essay will prepare the materials needed beforehand to save precious time. There are moments in your life that you will be asked to draft up self-introduction essays as part of a class assignment.

There are times that an item on the list would seem very unusual for a person to procure. Should that be the case, such as a particular type of hand tool, be sure to clearly introduce it within the text. For instance, “The pin hammer has a finer tip than a standard hammer, making it suitable for more detailed work.” If at all possible, make sure to include a picture of the said object you are planning to use if you intend to publish the said essay online. You may also see a  formal essay .

3. Create an outline of the task

In order to make things simpler for you on your end, it would be best if you created an outline that can help you create the flow of the process essay that you are working on. Keep in mind that the outline simply acts as the guide for the essay and is not the essay itself. Outlines are normally made with bullet points and at least 1 to 2 sentences per point. Creating an outline will be most helpful to especially informational process essays. Keep in mind that the more specific your article or essay topic, the more specific your details need to be. Here are some examples of how different people would write their essays .

• If your essay happens to be about cooking lasagna, you may want to begin your initial outline by saying, “Mix in basil.” Before you start writing, you could expand your outline to say, “Briefly mention taste differences between dried and fresh basil.”
• When writing an informational process essay outline about how journalists write a news report, you can include some details about journalists select a news story and the criteria they would use to determine a story’s newsworthiness.

Simple Process Essay Example

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Process Essay Example from Kool-Aid

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Scanned Written Process Essay Example

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Golf Process Essay Example

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Process Essay Example in Making Popcorn Balls

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Crafting Your Introduction

1. Grab your reader’s attention within the first 1–2 sentences. Today’s readership has a very short attention span. You see books being made into movie adaptations. Some books are being even made into TV shows for a longer and more detailed story line. Although there are some people who also prefer reading compared to watching, there are people who can tell a good book just by the first few paragraphs of the first page alone. You get that right, then you would have gained new readership. DIY and “How To” videos may be easy to create and draft a new introduction, but essays, not so much. It is usually the make or break stage for the essay. They say that when you start strong, it is just as important and vital to end strong as well. Leave the audience wanting to do more of your DIY projects or videos in the near future. Should you be interested in writing a reflective essay , you may want to click on the hyperlink on this sentence.

For instance, you might write, “The process of preparing lasagna has a rich heritage all of its own.”

2. Provide a general time estimate. Providing time estimates are very essential especially in writing these process essays as everyone might have some other plans other than doing the DIY video or following the process essay they happen to be reading. In cooking or baking, time is considered very critical. An example would be when the participants of MasterChef are asked to cook one of Gordon Ramsay’s signature dishes to avoid elimination. Even when cooking something as simple as scrambled eggs, one of the steps that Gordon suggested would be to stir over medium heat until the eggs start to cook.

The next step would be to remove the egg mix from heat and then continue stirring eggs for about 30 seconds. Return to heat, continue to stir eggs until they start to clump. He suggested that it is important to keep it “on and off” from the heat, otherwise, the eggs might be overcooked which as a result becomes watery. You would not want that to happen to your eggs, would you? Should you find yourself in need of writing an analytical essay , you may want to refer to the hyperlink found on the sentence.

3. If your process essay focuses on a cooking task, this is where you inform your audience to have some sort of clock or timer nearby for them to keep track of the number of minutes that have passed by and to place all the ingredients on the table beforehand.

4. Present the thesis statement as a problem. A thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the topic. The thesis statement is considered to be the most important sentence of your paper as it informs the reader not only which problem you will be examining, but it should give them an idea as to how you will be able to solve the issue at hand. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument focused. The thesis statement should be the last sentence of your introductory paragraph. Here are some examples of short essays that might serve as a reference in case you need assistance in formulating one.

5. You can start off your thesis statement like this, “This essay will explore how to create a complicated lasagna dish in a short period of time by preparing the noodles and sauce in advance.”

The Writing Process

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Pros and Cons of Adoption Essay Sample

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Process Essay Example about Bathing Your Dog

s3.amazonaws.com

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Basic Process Essay Example

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Writing Your Body Paragraphs

1. consult your outline.

People have the tendency to be sidetracked, especially when making their own stories or novels or any written work for their personal use or for their schoolwork. From time to time, it is best to try and consult with the outline that you have made as not to get lost and personally confused to where you currently are in your essay making process. As aforementioned, outlines are considered an excellent way to draft the flow of your speech or essay should you ever get lost somewhere in the middle of your essay writing. Always refer back to your bullet points if ever your point was not made somewhere in the body of the paragraph. The outline is not always right, it is merely temporary. The possibility of not following your outline might not actually exist if you have happened to draft a better one. For more ways to help start up your essay , you may refer to this hyperlink.

Try to be very careful with items that consist of multiple steps. Make the transitions clear enough and acknowledge prior steps regarding a particular item, if at all applicable.

2. Structure the body of the essay in paragraphs

The outline simply serves as the guide for your essay and is not really the speech itself. Since you have already given some thought into making the outline, now is high time to formulate the body of your essay. As much as possible, when you decide to do the initial draft of your essay, keep it in paragraph form. Bullet points may be simpler, but it is first and foremost an essay. For instance, if your process essay is about making the best shepherd’s pie, try drafting a paragraph on how to make the filling below and another paragraph on how to create good mashed potatoes on top of the lamb filling below. This, in turn, separates the two ideas for easy clarification.

Scholarship essays  are normally written by applicants who wish to get their education at a lesser price, considering they uphold to the following conditions.

3. Add transitions in between steps

And since it is a process essay, it is very important that you place transitions on the steps to allow your readers to help identify as to what is Step 1 and what is Step 2. These transitions make it easier for the readers to help proceed to the next step without worrying they might have missed something on the previous step. Examples of some transitions would be the words next , first , later , then , finally , before , afterward , etc. For some examples of formal essays , you may refer to the hyperlink.

For instance, you could write, “Next, place the pot on the stove,” to move from one paragraph to the next.

4. Avoid using first-person pronouns

Including I , we , us , me , mine , our , and ours  within your writing can make it seem less declarative and authoritative. In a process essay, this can make a reader less likely to trust your instructions. Instead, stick with a second and third-person perspective by using words, such as it or they . Here are some examples of argumentative essays for your reference.

For example, you could write, “This essay shows…” instead of “I’ll show.”

5. Mention any cautionary notes

Some people would normally forget to add that at the end of the process essay. This is perhaps one of the worst things that the author will not bother doing since he or she did not think that the reader will go to that extent of not following what was written. As someone who has written the process essay in the first place or a notable DIY star on YouTube, please mention some of the mistakes or actions that people tend to do when performing the said task. By doing so, you might actually save a life when you warn people beforehand. These cautionary notes serve as a warning to people as it might have already happened to some unfortunate people already. So when you are warned not to microwave your electronic devices for the sake of fun, just do not. For reference in writing personal essays , you can go through our website to find out more.

For example, you might caution a reader to “Cook the meat until it is no longer red in the center.” This advice will help them to avoid foodborne illness.

Process Essay Example about Hosting the Pre-Homecoming Dance Dinner

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Process Essay Writing Example

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Sample Outline of a Research Article

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Process Analysis Essay Writing Tips

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Odor Nuisances Sample Essay

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The Process of Building Stonehenge Research Paper

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Wrapping It Up

1. Mention the end product and what to do with it. At the last few minutes of the DIY video or the process essay, you can see that you are almost through making the said product. Now, there are some people who might already have an idea of what to do with them. For example, let us say that you are done making the recipe for the coffee jelly dessert. You can provide suggestions as what to do with the coffee jelly that you have made (e.g., After cutting the coffee jelly into cubes, pour it into a tall glass and pour some cold-brewed coffee to give it that extra flavor. And finally, top it off with some ice cream and place a spoon or straw. Best served chilled with family and friends). Here are some tips and examples that you might need when writing a thesis statement for your narrative .

2. Restate the importance of the task. Cooking has proven itself to be quite a challenge, especially when one has no background or experience in cooking. It can otherwise be daunting, and there will be times that you will feel like passing out or giving up. But if you hold on to the very reason as to why you are doing it in the first place, it will keep you focused on completing the task at hand quicker than expected. To be quite fair and frank, this is often utilized by marketing stunts everywhere even in making DIY arts and crafts projects for Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. Here are some examples of persuasive essays  that can serve as a reference when writing essays.

3. A basic example of a newly-made dinner intended for your parents’ anniversary might be, “And there you have it! A delicious yet quick meal fit for the two of them to enjoy which looks complicated and sophisticated but is actually simple enough with enough practice. Next time, experiment with different herbs and spices to find your own spin on this classic dish.”

4. Check your essay for ease of reading. Now that you are through writing your essay, the next best logical thing to do would be to actually take some time to review them. If you think you are satisfied with the flow of the essay that you have written, then you may publish it with ease. But if you do not think you are comfortable or assume that there is something lacking in the process essay, take the time to double-check the content and add the necessary content to the essay. While you are in the middle of double-checking, try adding a few final touches to your essay for it to sound better. Lend your essay to a friend or family member to check if they had understood the whole process. Here are some examples of academic essays .

5. One tip would be to see if there are certain steps that you can eliminate or condense your instructions as not to take up too much space in the essay. A reader is more likely to finish directions that they can easily skim through.

6. Proofread your essay. Finally, proofread your essay. Don’t rely on spell-check alone, as it cannot account for context and doesn’t catch every error. But other than spell-checking your essay, make sure to also check for typographical errors in terms of grammar and preposition, subject-verb agreement, etc. Keep in mind that people from all over will be reading your essay, so make sure that it is written professionally in whatever language you will be using. Here are some examples of high school essays that you can refer to.

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Expository or Process Essay Example

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Minimalist Process Essay Example

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Process Essay Example in PDF

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Fundamental Process Essay Example

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Cheerleading Routine Process Essay Analysis Example

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Interesting Process Essay Ideas to Write in 2019

2019 is considered the “Year of the Earth Pig.” This could indicate laziness; however, it could also depict enthusiasm for some people. Considering that the usage of social media and the internet in this year is prevalent, people tend to view loads of various information that shape their own perspective. Moreover, this era strongly pushes the empowerment for every individual to showcase themselves, abling them to do what they want to do. Conclusively, the freedom of this age provides people a wide variety of interests.

A process essay explains the how-tos of a certain topic. Now that you already tackled the basics of this composition as well as the steps in making one, we are giving you in this section some exciting ideas that you can use in writing your own process essay for this year, 2019. According to your preference, you may consider selecting from these topics:

1. Technology-based ideas

2019 is a year that belongs to an era of rapidly innovating technology where gadgets and internet are major tools for almost everybody. Hence, it is not a surprise that people commonly ask some steps regarding technology. In writing your 2019 process essay, here are some examples of technology-based ideas:

• How to create your own Facebook account?
• How to reboot your phone?
• How to create your own Instagram account?
• How to upload several pictures on Facebook in 3 simple clicks?
• How to invite someone to play an online game?
• How to rank up in Mobile Legends?
• How to call someone via Messenger?
• How to use Snapchat as a newbie?
• Step-by-step guide in composing your first tweet
• How to perform a factory reset on your phone?

 2. Smart aesthetic hack ideas

The presence of the internet also paved the way for beauty online influencers to showcase their own intelligent ideas. Consisted of mostly females, different channels and blogs fascinate their audience with their various mind-blowing hacks in grooming oneself. They also give some out-of-the-box solutions to the common aesthetic dilemmas. Basically, topics under this section range from fashion to beauty tips bonanza which include:

• How to transform a shirt into a skirt?
• How to rescue your shattered face powder?
• DIY T-shirt printing
• How to brush teeth the correct way?
• Alternative ways to curl hair
• How to make your own anime costume?
• How to make your own natural body scrub?
• How to do your full-face make-up in 3 easy steps?
• How to select the perfect sunglass for you?
• How to distinguish fake jewelry from genuine ones?

An important reminder, try to talk about processes that do not involve your audience’s health, especially if you are not a professional or your step is not yet widely studied.

3. Cooking hack ideas

Food is a basic necessity for each individual and just like the previous one, the internet also provided the cooking pros a medium to share their impressive easy-to-do recipes and strategies in preparing edibles. This extends from simple snacks and desserts to meals of rare occasions, turning simple white plates to something you can boast your friends of. These ideas may include:

• How to make a home-made chocolate fudge?
• Simple steps in making a no-bake cake
• How to slice onions the correct way?
• Impressive ways to plate your meal
• Easy-to-make soup recipes
• How to brine a turkey?
• How to make the perfect sandwich for your kids?
• How to boil eggs perfectly?
• How to remove avocado seed fast?
• Step-by-step guide in assembling cake layers

Process Essay Generator

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Write a Process Essay on how to prepare for a high school exam.

Discuss the steps involved in writing a research paper for your Process Essay.

How to Write a Process Analysis Essay: Examples & Outline

Process analysis is an explanation of how something works or happens. Want to know more? Read the following article prepared by our custom writing specialists and learn about:

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• process analysis and its types
• a process analysis outline tips
• free examples and other tips that might be helpful for your college assignment

So, let’s start digging deeper into this topic!

• ♻ Process Analysis Definition
• ✏️ Process Analysis Types

☑️ How to Write a Process Analysis Essay

• 📑 Examples & Bonus Tips

♻️ What Is Process Analysis?

A process analysis describes and explains the succession of actions, points out a specific result, and provides a detailed plan.

To be more precise, process analysis is targeted at explaining:

• how things work;
• how to do or make something;
• how something operates or happens.

So, if you want to know how an aircraft flies or how to start a business, you need to deal with process analyses that detail these procedures. You might be asking yourself: Are these two processes similar to each other? In fact, they are different. Moreover, there exist other types of processes. That’s why we have united some basic types into categories for your convenience.

Let’s get into the details.

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• Processes that are either related to people or performed by them, such as relationships, psychological aspects, or some manuals. These include descriptions of how to overcome depression, work in a team, or change the oil in your car.
• Processes that take place within a society. For example, it can be a description of the electoral process or how the judicial system works.
• Processes that occur in nature. It may be an explanation of cell division, the process of season change, or the life cycle of an organism. Process analysis plays a crucial role in scientific research. It helps to describe complex mechanisms and procedures, leading to advancements in science.
• Processes that are performed by machines. It can be an explanation of how a car engine works or how a helicopter flies.
• documenting knowledge;
• analyzing some separate actions;
• finding problematic issues;
• identifying the options for further improvements.

As you can see, some of these processes just need to be described , while others should be explained . There is a considerable difference between a description and an analysis. If you want to find it out, read the following part of this article.

✏️ Two Types of Process Analysis

As you already know, a process can be either described or explained. Following this, the two types of process analysis are:

• Directive process analysis: a description of a process.
• Informational process analysis: an explanation of how something works.

The primary difference concerns the purpose of these analyses. Now, let’s go into details.

Directive Process Analysis: Examples & Definition

Directive process analysis (also called prescriptive) answers the question of how to do or make something . In other words, it serves as an outline of specific steps a person should take to achieve the desired result. For example, it may be a description of how to plan a party or write a particular essay type (like this article.)

This type of process analysis is used in tutorials, manuals, or policy guides. In most cases, technicians and decision-makers utilize it.

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Informational Process Analysis Essay: Examples & Definition

In contrast, an informational process analysis (also called explanatory or descriptive) demonstrates how something works or is done . To be more precise, it presents information about the way some things or phenomena function. For example, it can describe how a disease affects our bodies.

A descriptive analysis consists of two parts:

• data gathering;
• identifying casual relationships.

This combination helps find out the essence of the process.

An informational process analysis may be found in essays, magazine or newspaper articles, or videos. Mostly, students, researchers, or just curious people are interested in this type.

We have talked about the process analysis definition and types. Now, it’s time to find out about a process analysis essay and how to write it correctly. In this section, you will find lots of interesting and helpful information on how to write each part of the essay, some tips on topics selection, and examples.

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Process Analysis Essay Outline

Let’s start with the essay structure. Keep in mind that a process analysis should be written in chronological order. If you want your readers to understand the presented process clearly, divide it into stages and then into steps. It will make your essay more coherent.

A process paper outline consists of 4 parts. Here they are:

Process Analysis Essay Topics: How to Choose

Choosing a topic may seem confusing. You have many things you want to talk about, and you simply can’t decide. Sounds familiar? Don’t worry; these tips will help determine what process analysis essay topic to choose.

To select a topic, you need to:

• Analyze your interests and hobbies;
• Choose a process related to your interests;
• Look for something you are familiar with and don’t need any further research;

To sum it up, write about something you like and know about.

How to Start a Process Analysis Essay

You’ve chosen the topic but don’t know how to start writing about it? Don’t worry; we’ve collected the most effective strategies to help you create an excellent introduction.

It’s worth mentioning that your introductory part depends on the type of your process analysis. If it’s a directive essay, you need to explain the process to your readers. If it’s an informational essay, you describe the process.

STEP #1: Start with a definition . It’s necessary to mention the purpose and importance of your paper. The audience should have a meaningful reason for reading your essay.

Writing a perfect essay is easier than you think (directive.)

Stress is one of the reasons for health problems (informational.)

STEP #2: Add some background information . Expand on the details and define the process.  

Baking requires particular skills and time. However, if you do everything correctly, you will get an excellent cake (directive.)

Constant stress exposure leads to the development of various health disorders, resulting in complex treatment (informational).

STEP #3: End your introduction with a thesis statement . Present the steps or stages of the process in one sentence.

To write a perfect essay, one needs to search for information from different sources, analyze the gathered data, and organize the ideas into a coherent text (directive.)

Chronic stress leads to the rise of blood pressure, the release of histamine, and a change of insulin level (informational.)

Just follow these steps to make sure you included all the necessary aspects in your introduction.

Process Analysis Thesis Examples and Tips

A thesis statement is a roadmap of your essay. That’s why it’s important to make it an effective one. Here’s what to keep in mind when writing a powerful thesis.

• Its content. It should contain all the essential information on your topic. A thesis is like a presentation of your paper in one sentence. That’s why you need to be clear and concise. Each of the aspects mentioned in a thesis should be expanded in a body paragraph.

Baking a pie is a simple process as all you need to do is to mix all the products, prepare the filling, and bake the combined ingredients in the oven.

When you see such a thesis, you understand that the paper will be about baking a pie rather than changing a tire.

• The number of parts. In fact, a process analysis thesis consists of two parts: the main point and the organizational format. The first element focuses on the purpose of the thesis. It’s worth mentioning that the content of the second part depends on the type of your process analysis essay.
• Its place in the text. Your thesis should be situated at the end of your introduction. To be more precise, it’s the last sentence of this part. In such a way, our audience will get a hint about the content of the following body paragraphs.

Feel free to check out the additional tips below. They will make your thesis perfect.

• Make it an affirmative sentence . Don’t write your thesis in the form of a question. This statement should be the answer to the question of the audience.
• Try to make it emphatic . Don’t start your thesis with trite phrases such as   “this essay will explain,” “I will inform you about,” or “I will describe.”
• Add more aspects if necessary.  For example, the thesis may state the inefficiency or unfairness of the process in question.

Process Analysis: Paragraphs for the Main Body

Similar to a thesis statement, the content and structure of the main body depend on your essay type. We have prepared several useful strategies for both types.

Informational Process Analysis: Body Paragraphs

Directive process analysis: body paragraphs, transition words for process essay & examples.

Each process has a beginning, a middle part, and an ending. To present a process analysis, divide it into meaningful parts and organize them properly. The readers should always have a clear understanding of a succession of actions.

That’s why you need to use transitional words. They can help the readers follow the text. We have prepared a list of transition words with some examples. Check it out below.

Process Essay Conclusion Writing Strategies

Finally, we get to the concluding part and how it should be arranged. Here are some helpful strategies for you to write an effective conclusion.

• Briefly summarize all the information you mentioned in your body paragraphs.
• Don’t introduce any new details. This part intends to conclude the essay.
• Paraphrase your thesis statement.
• Relate your conclusion with the introduction. There should be a logical ending for your essay. Sum up the information presented in all the parts of your paper.

To conclude, stress produces a negative effect on health. That’s why you should do something to reduce its impact. Include meditation and yoga in your daily routine. Don’t forget to have enough sleep. If you follow all these recommendations, your mental and physical health will improve very soon.

📑 Process Paragraphs Examples & Bonus Tips

We have already composed the process analysis essay. Now you know what to include and what to pay attention to while writing such a type of essay. However, we would like to share a list of some additional tips with you. They will help you to look at your paper from different angles and make it perfect.

Bonus tips:

• Consider the tone of your writing. Try to sound as professional as possible.
• Don’t forget about the formal style. Avoid writing in 1 st person. Instead, use the 2nd person in directive and the 3rd person in informational process analyses:
• You can interrupt the chronology of your process description. Sometimes, it’s essential to specify the terms or concepts, show how the preceding and following steps are connected, or clarify why it’s necessary to do some steps simultaneously.
• Give your readers a specific reason to care about your essay. Before writing your thesis statement, ask yourself: Why do people need to know about this process? The thesis should reflect the answer to this question.

Finally, we would like to present you with a process analysis essay example. Pay attention to the contents of each essay part:

Below, you can find even more process analysis essay samples. Make sure to check them out to get some inspiration for your paper.

• A Medical Committee’s Group Process Analysis
• How to Groom Your Pet Dog: Process Analysis
• Agency Supervisory Process Analysis
• Passing a Test: Process Analysis

Process Analysis Essay Topics

• Analysis of engineering process.  
• Steps to successful aging .  
• Analysis of quality improvement process . 
• The process of data analysis . 
• How to lose weight .  
• Process of selecting a suitable theory or model in health intervention. 
• The important steps of images processing. 
• Strategic planning process analysis: stakeholders and initial agreement guidelines. 
• How to write: process analysis. 
• Steps for maintaining your mental health during pandemic.  
• Process for financial accounting cycle .  
• Steps for creating a realistic buyer persona .  
• How to make a final decision .  
• Stages of problem-solving strategy . 
• The risk management in healthcare : process analysis. 
• How to organize a group : stages.  
• Describe the contingency planning process. 
• Steps to planning a career .  
• Enhancing wireless network performance : process analysis. 
• How to cope with grief: five stages theory .  
• Process for conflict resolving .  
• How to analyze a primary source .  
• Communication problems at workplace : stages analysis.  
• How to conduct sociological research . 
• Process of prenatal development : main stages. 
• Stages of developing a new product . 
• Clear steps to conducting community-based research . 
• Making a dental public health policy : process analysis. 
• Conducting a utility test : process analysis. 
• The key steps to facilitate parent participation process.  
• The implementation plan for treating patients with cancer. 
• Discuss the steps of buying a product . 
• Describe the process of business development .  
• Analyze the brewery process . 
• Cognitive development of children: process analysis. 
• Describe the stages of different types of interviews . 
• Analyze the process of employees’ talents development . 
• How to buy a used motorcycle . 
• Steps to making ethical decision .  
• Analyze the ways of managing s diverse international team .  
• Process analysis for proper teeth cleaning .  
• Describe the steps of project management .  
• Four stages of business development .  
• How to cope with distress in nursing.  
• External auditing process analysis. 
• Analyze the stages of Alzheimer’s disease .  

We hope you find our article useful and apply these strategies to your process analysis essay. We wish you success with all your future assignments.

Further reading:

• Case Study Analysis: Examples + How-to Guide & Writing Tips
• How to Write a Visual Analysis Essay: Examples & Template
• How to Write a Film Analysis Essay: Examples, Outline, & Tips
• How to Write a Literary Analysis Essay Step by Step

🔍 References

• Process Analysis: The University of Toledo
• Business Process Analysis: UNICE
• Process Analysis: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• Informative Process Analysis: Saint Leo University
• How to Write a Thesis for Process Analysis Essay: Seattle PI
• Informative Process Analysis: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Introductions and Conclusions: University of Toronto
• Process Description: How to Write about a Sequence of Events: Seton Hill University
• Essay Introductions: University of Maryland
• Essay Structure: Harvard University
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How to Write the Perfect Process Analysis Essay (With a Sample Essay)

A process analysis essay is a kind of expository essay that explains the process or actions someone needs to take to complete a task. You can think of it like a recipe, stating all of the necessary ingredients and steps, allowing the reader to follow along in logical order.

A process analysis essay can be written about a wide scope of topics, from highly technical processes to cleaning and organizing your closet. Writing a process analysis essay forces you to slow down and consider every tool and step involved in completing a task, and then explain what's needed in logical order for your reader to do the same.

Format of a process analysis essay

For this type of essay assignment, you will not be following the traditional five-paragraph essay outline. There is still an introduction and body to your essay, but your conclusion is more like the "analysis" part and the essay will end when you've completed explaining the steps involved in a process. Below, we'll break down exactly what should be included in each of these parts. Also keep in mind that you can still create an outline before beginning writing your process analysis essay, although it might look more like a list of bullet points rather than a traditional five-paragraph essay outline.

Introduction

The introduction to your process analysis essay will include information about the process you are analyzing and why it is important. This will likely be the shortest part of your essay. If there is a unique history to the process you'll be analyzing, the introduction is where you might mention that. You basically want to use this paragraph as a brief introduction to your reader of 1) what process you'll be analyzing and 2) how or why that process might be useful information to know.

The body of your process analysis essay will mention any prerequisites, materials, or instruments needed to complete the process. It should also mention any risks or warnings involved that are relevant to the process. It's important to include everything that the reader will need to complete the process, and even extra tools that might help the process go smoother but are not necessary. For example, in the sample process analysis essay provided below on how to make apple butter, I included a spoon to stir the butter as part of the list of tools that will be needed. Additionally, I mentioned that a food processor will make the apple butter cook better and have a more butter-like consistency, but it's not necessary to have as a tool to cook apple butter.

Following these sections, you'll write the actual process in sequential order required to complete the task. Make sure you include transitional words within and between paragraphs, as these are required to show the sequence of the process in logical order. Your analysis will likely be across several paragraphs, so make sure each paragraph describes a separate part of the process to avoid confusion for your reader.

Sample process analysis essay

To show you how a process analysis essay might look, we've provided a sample essay that includes the separate sections discussed above. Notice that the introduction paragraph is short, providing basic information about the process that will be discussed, while the remaining paragraphs are longer and more detailed.

Sample essay

Apple butter is similar to apple sauce but is different in that it is highly concentrated and used more often as a butter-like topping on bread or crackers. It's cooked long and slow, allowing the sugar in the apples to caramelize and turn it a deep brown color.

To make apple butter, you will need a slow cooker, food processor, cutting board, peeling knife, large spoon, apples, sugar, and spices for the desired flavoring (usually cinnamon and nutmeg). You might also want to use an apple slicer, which cuts down on the preparation time. Note that when you begin cooking your apple butter, the more minced the peeled apples are, the smoother the final product will be. If you want your apple butter to have a true butter-like consistency, mince the apples well in the food processor before cooking.

Now, let's look at the process of cooking apple butter. To begin, prepare a large, clean space for cutting and processing the apples. Five to six cups of fresh apples will likely only result in a few cups (at most) of apple butter, so depending on how much butter you want to make, you could be peeling and preparing apples for several hours. Each apple will need to be sliced, peeled, and minced in a food processor for maximum butter-like consistency.

Next, add the minced apples to a slow cooker and place the slow cooker on "high". You will notice that the top of the mixture is watery, once the larger pieces settle. Add sugar and spices until you reach the taste you want for the apple butter. Keep in mind that apples vary in sweetness, depending on what type of apple you are using, and sugar can be added slowly throughout the cooking process. Be careful not to add too much sugar at first, as the butter will get sweeter as the apples cook down. In fact, you might even choose to not at sugar at all at this stage of the cooking process, especially if you want a final product that is not too sweet. The spices can also be added as the apple butter cooks or not at all (if that's your preference). Be sure to stir every 10-15 minutes during the first hour as the apple butter is cooking on high and let it cook uncovered.

After one hour of cooking on high, turn the slow cooker to low and cover it. Depending on the type of apple you have used, it should cook for 8-10 hours, until there is no water left at the top and around the sides of the slow cooker. During this slow cooking time, stir occasionally (once per hour should be fine). This is also when the apple butter makes your kitchen smell amazing!

Finally, when the apple butter has reached the consistency and taste you want, remove it from the slow cooker. If you choose to can the apple butter, you can do that immediately or keep the apple butter in the refrigerator until you are able to can it.

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50 Great Topics for a Process Analysis Essay

Illustration by Jiaqi Zhou. ThoughtCo.

• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
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If you've ever read an instruction manual or written a set of directions, then you are probably familiar with process analysis writing. This form of composition is often used in the field of technical writing to explain the process of a complex system logically and objectively. Because the material covered in process analyses can be quite complicated, this type of writing tends to be detailed and long.

What Is Process Analysis Writing?

Process analysis writing involves a comprehensive set of instructions that explains a process from beginning to end. To successfully write a process analysis essay, writers must critically analyze each step of the process they have chosen to describe and determine the most reasonable way of delivering information before writing. Expertise is required when explaining a process with this level of detail and this can be obtained through firsthand experience or thorough research.

The topic of a process analysis essay needs to be as specific as possible and it is crucial that the tone of the essay be clear and straightforward. A writer's main goal when crafting a process analysis essay should be to make a process easy to follow. Below is a set of tips that will help you achieve this.

Tips for Writing a Process Analysis Essay

When writing an essay or speech through process analysis , keep these tips in mind:

• Include all steps and arrange them in chronological order .
• Explain why each step is necessary and include warnings when appropriate.
• Define any terms that may be unfamiliar to readers.
• Offer clear descriptions ​of any required tools or materials.
• Give your readers a way to measure the success of the finished process.

50 Process Analysis Essay Topics

Writers will have an easier time writing process analysis essays and following the above guidelines for topics they know well. To begin, choose a subject that you enjoy writing about and know that you can explain well. These prompts offer potential process analysis essay topics to get you started.

• How to mow your lawn
• How to win a game of Texas hold 'em poker
• How to lose weight without losing your mind
• How to find the perfect roommate
• How to get rid of a roommate—without committing a crime
• How to achieve academic success in college
• How to pitch a knuckleball in baseball
• How to plan the perfect party
• How to survive a night of babysitting
• How to pitch a tent in the rain
• How to housebreak your dog
• How to kick a bad habit
• How to overcome insomnia
• How to stay sober on a Saturday night
• How to rent your first apartment
• How to avoid a nervous breakdown during exams
• How to enjoy the weekend for less than $20
• How to make the perfect brownies
• How to keep resolve arguments with your spouse
• How to bathe a cat
• How to get what you want through complaining
• How to survive a recession
• How to toilet train a baby
• How to gain self-confidence
• How to use Twitter sensibly and effectively
• How to wash a sweater
• How to remove stubborn stains
• How to build successful relationships with instructors
• How to give yourself a haircut
• How to plan the perfect class schedule
• How to apply the Heimlich maneuver
• How to end a relationship
• How to make a flaky pie crust
• How to take the best photographs with a smartphone camera
• How to quit smoking
• How to get around without a car
• How to make the perfect cup of coffee or tea
• How to maintain an eco-friendly and affordable lifestyle
• How to build a great sandcastle
• How to edit a video
• How to build and maintain a stable friendship
• How to insert contact lenses
• How to write a great exam
• How to teach responsibility to a child
• How to groom your dog
• How ice cream is made
• How a cell phone takes pictures
• How a magician saws a woman in half
• How solar panels work
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How to Write a Process Essay?

18 June, 2020

14 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

What is a “process essay”? What makes it different from dozens of other papers you create on a daily basis? What are its main components and what the main goal of this type of writing you need to bear in mind? If you're looking for answers to these questions, you're in luck! You can get them all from our academic guide on how to write a process essay.

Composing a process essay can be rather complicated especially if you are not familiar with this type of writing and do not know what pitfalls and specifications to pay attention to.

That is why our custom essay writing service has created this guide to help you tackle this task. We will answer all these questions in our article below and even provide you with great process essay examples and topics you can write on to stand out. So, if that sounds like something you need right now, read on: we are here to help and equip you with knowledge!

But first things first. Since it is impossible to create an excellent process essay without crystal clear understanding of the term, we will start with the definition. So, let’s dive in!

What is a process essay?

A process essay is commonly written either to explain how something works or to guide a reader through the process of completing a particular task, states the process essay definition.

Process essays also go under the “How-to articles” title and aim to teach the target audience how to achieve certain goals or complete specific assignments.

So, look at it like this. In case of “How to quit smoking” process essay, your primary goal is to provide several helpful ways of quitting this habit. These might be evidence-based recommendations if you have experience in this area, or simply common sense ideas you found while conducting your research.

Now that you realize what you will be working with, let’s look into different types of process essays and practical ways to compose them. Our essay writing guide will walk you through the process essay writing step by step.

Types of process essays

There are two main types of such papers: the ones that explain how something works , and those that show you how to complete a particular task .

1. How to do something.

Though it sounds quite self-explanatory, we’d like to emphasize the importance of clear instructions in case you are writing a process essay.

Your readers must be able to follow your guidance and complete each step successfully. So, split the process into small steps, keep it short and to the point at each stage of crafting a process essay.

For instance, in a “How to quit smoking” process essay , you can split the whole process into seven steps:

• Choose a date for a quit day;
• Imagine life without cigarettes and expect it;
• Have one last cigarette as a “Goodbye!”;
• Be among people to support you;
• Keep your goal in perspective not to give up;
• Don’t fall for substitutes;
• Be accountable.

2. How something works.

By contrast, this is an informative type of writing that aims to achieve one goal – explain the principle of work behind some process. Unlike the mentioned above type, this process essay type does not encourage a reader to take an action and do something step by step.

However, you must make sure that by the end of your essay, the audience will know for sure how something functions.

As an example of this type of a process essay, let’s see how an earthquake happens .

• First, the energy within the earth core builds up due to various moves in the earth crust;
• The energy level grows up and causes tension in the tectonic plates;
• After some time, the pressure radiates outwards by moving the plates from each other;
• The seismic waves shake the earth as they get from the core of the earth to the surface;
• That is when the earthquake takes place.

Before we go any further, let’s look at another example. In case of “How to prepare for a vacation” process essay, your task is to compose a few steps that your readers can take when getting ready for their vacation. In other words, you are describing how to do something.

Meanwhile, “What happens to your brain when you sleep” process essay is merely an explanation of the principle. In it, you are not encouraging readers to take any actions whatsoever. So, here is the fundamental difference.

How to write a process essay?

Getting started with process essay writing

When developing a process essay outline, take some time to answer the following questions:

• Who is your target audience? How deep is their knowledge of the subject? The complexity of your essay depends on their skills level. Thus, for instance, when explaining to your peers how to stretch a dollar to see the world, you can use basic terminology and examples they can relate to. However, your vocabulary should be way more sophisticated if you are writing a process essay on how to improve the overall quality of higher education in your state to the City Council.
• How can you divide the process into small steps? You do not want to bore your audience to death with unnecessary details in a process essay. Yet, you cannot afford to skip valuable steps if they are crucial to the overall understanding of the subject of your process essay. So, try to find the golden cut and figure out the most suitable amount of steps.
• What sources will you use for the task? It goes without saying that you can only use reliable sources to support your argument in a process essay. These sources should be all mentioned in the end of your essay. And remember about proper in-text citation styles. Read the materials carefully and take only the information that will add value to your essay and helps make it shine.

How to write a process essay outline

Finally, let’s look into the process essay structure. Needless to say that you must start with something that will grab readers’ attention, or in other words, “a hook.”

It is true for any essay, and process essay writing is not an exception.

The structure of your essay regardless of the process essay topics should consist of:

• A powerful introduction.
• Main body paragraphs.
• An interesting conclusion.

Related Post: Essay outline | Research Paper outline

Sounds simple, yet there are several things you should not forget about process essay writing.

How to write an introduction to a process essay

Once you compose a hook, mention why you believe that readers should use your approach to solve a problem even though there are dozens of other ones. We know two effective ways to achieve this in your process essay:

• Show how much time this task will take . People don’t have all the time in the world to tackle just this one task. So, you’ll really help them by stating how much time completing something using your approach will take and underline that with your approach described in a process essay it will take less time than if they opt for a different one. “Writing can be tough, especially if you always felt that it is not exactly your suit. However, Michael D. Pollock, a credible expert in this area, has recently presented 10 effective tips that will help you learn writing fast and make you able to craft a 1000-word article in 30 minutes. So, keep reading to find out how you can write this fast too.”
• Introduce your audience to the historical background of the approach (if any) you’re using in a process essay. Let them see the roots of your solution. Here is what a good introduction of a process essay should look like: “Giving a speech with lots of eyes concentrated on you is not an easy task. No wonder so many students dread this task. However, speech can be a powerful tool, and we can teach you how to give them right. Steve Jobs is known as one of the best public speakers of our time. People were sitting on the edge of their seats when he spoke. And we’ll teach you how to grab attention like he did using just five simple tricks he applied.”

At last, compose an engaging thesis of a process essay. Many students consider it a scary part. But it all goes down to this.

Your thesis statement should reason why your way is the best and why readers looking for answers should search no more and give your solution a chance.

It’s easier than you think. Here is a good thesis statement example:

“With more than 580 million tons of household waste produced all over the world, Every tiny effort you make to become eco-friendly counts. And if you don’t want to spend extra money on sustainable products but want to save the environment, use our guide on ten simple eco-friendly steps you can do daily without even noticing it!”

This is what a thesis statement for a process essay on how to be eco-friendly would look like. Yours can be different, but you get the idea!

How to plan main body paragraphs

• Dedicate one body paragraph to one point you want to bring to light.
• Provide enough details on each step including the ultimate goal of this step and reasons why this method was chosen for its achievement.
• Keep it short and to the point.

How to write a conclusion

Now is that time you reminded the readers about the purpose of a process essay, reasons why you chose this particular approach, and briefly mentioned steps needed to accomplish the task.

Besides, you can call your audience to action but only in case you are writing an essay that shows how to do something. Otherwise, it will be inapplicable.

Finally, help them set their expectations right: what results can they count on in the end? How long will it take them to achieve those results after reading your process essay and applying its tips?

How to use transition words in a process essay

Transition words can help you create a seamless reading experience. You can take readers smoothly from one step to another. And what is more you can help them immerse into the process!

Therefore, begin each new paragraph with a transition word, add one in between examples you provide, and summarize your instructions with them, too.

Think of transition words as of bridges that connect paragraphs and sentences. They make smooth communication between the two possible. And with them in your process essay, no reader feels irritated or frustrated with your writing style, as they have to stumble upon every other sentence in your piece.

Good process essay topics

It is not enough to just know the theory to create a good process essay. One should also come up with a topic that will be both interesting and useful to his readers. Here’s a list of our suggestions on process essay ideas:

• How to choose a perfect future career.
• How to survive college and stay sane.
• How to eat healthy on campus.
• How to balance your social and academic life.
• How to pay out a student loan while still at college.
• How to improve your public speaking skills.
• How to see the world with only $100 in your pocket.
• How to learn a foreign language.
• How to renovate your apartment and not go bankrupt.
• How to start your own business.
• How to prepare for your first interview.
• How to get volunteers to help you clean the neighborhood.
• How to write a life list.
• How to set boundaries in the relationship.
• How to study overseas for free.

Related Posts: Argumentative essay topics | Compare&Contrast essay topics

Process essay writing tips

Wrapping up, we would like to introduce you to a couple of vital recommendations on process essay writing:

• Your process essay subject cannot be too broad or too narrow. Look out for the golden cut!
• Introduce your readers to possible complications of the process. After all, forewarned is forearmed.
• Create a short vocabulary your audience can use in case they are not familiar with the terminology essential to the general understanding of the process essay in question.
• Develop a list of resources your readers will need as they deal with certain tasks. This way you will have them prepared to put your recommendations to action right away.
• Always write a process essay using Active Voice!

Need help with your process essay writing? Handmadewriting is here for you to help. Drop us a line to get our professional essay writers to develop an excellent piece for you!

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Process Essay

Definition of process essay.

As the name suggests, this type of essay explains a process of making or breaking something. These essays are often written in chronological order, or in numerical order to show step-by-step processes. They are written in descriptive or prescriptive modes. Although it is not a technical communication, it sounds like having all the qualities of a technical document. The only difference is that it is often written in descriptive mode, while a technical document is mostly in imperative mode.

Transition in a Process Essay

As process essay provides step-by-step approach of doing something, they have typical transition words. These transition words make readers understand what has been done and what will follow next. Some of the specific transition words could be immediately, initially, in the end, in the future, in the meanwhile, later, next, soon, eventually, finally or firstly , and secondly .

Examples of Process Essay in Literature

Example #1: community re-discovered (by heidi ramirez).

“In any community , there are several and varying ways in which residents fulfill a sense of  community: participating in intramural sports, attending farmers’ markets, walking with neighbors, attending political meetings, helping the elderly, visiting the library, and volunteering for youth groups. It’s knowing the people in these interchanges, not just being familiar with faces, that build strong community.  Unfortunately, when this basic engagement is overlooked, communities can begin to disintegrate.”

This an excerpt from a process essay by Heidi Ramirez. It sets the tone of a process how communities integrate with each other. It clearly shows the sequence of the integration process.

Example #2: A Homemade Education (by Malcolm X)

“I was so fascinated that I went on—I copied the dictionary’s next page. And the same experience came when I studied that. With every succeeding page, I also learned of people and places and events from history. Actually, the dictionary is like a miniature encyclopedia. Finally the dictionary’s A section had filled a whole tablet—and I went on into the B’s. That was the way I started copying what eventually became the entire dictionary. It went a lot faster after so much practice helped me to pick up handwriting speed. Between what I wrote in my tablet, and writing letters, during the rest of my time in prison I would guess I wrote a million words.”

In this essay, Malcolm X has stated some of the ways through which he learned writing. He states how he “went on” copying the dictionary from one page to the next page. Some of the transition words such as “finally” and “actually” are quite obvious.

Example #3: Perspectives on “Borders” (by Luis Valdez)

“Let’s go back to the Popol Vuh. We’re talking about borders now . There is a border that defines the human being as a material and spiritual being. We have all learned that we’re Homo sapiens, wise monkeys. The monkey is a symbol of intelligence in the Popol Vuh, and in the classic Chinese novel Monkey. The wise monkey is a symbol for humanity. Now let me offer you another symbol for our human being—the feathered serpent. You are a feathered serpent that is evolving and crawling out of the seeds of your being. And once in awhile you get caught up in the dead skins of your life. You know biologically we go through a complete cellular change every seven to nine years. We’re totally renewed. So in one sense, biologically, you crawl out of a dead skin. You evolve out of yourself. The feathers are necessary because they represent our spiritual being.”

Although written in second person, this excerpt shows that the essay presents a process. It follows the same structure and same pattern of using things or doing tasks in a sequence. Specifically, the last lines show it clearly.

Function of a Process Essay

A process essay gives reader a sense of complete how-to-do process of making or creating some objects or things. Readers, after going through the essay, are able to create and make things. Although it is not like imperative instructions, it gives full details in a descriptive or prescriptive mode. It is because its major objective is not to present trite and dry instructions, but lively language to make readers read it with interest and do the act with enthusiasm.

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Process Analysis Essay

Learn How to Write the Perfect Process Analysis Essay

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Amazing Process Analysis Essay Topics to Impress Everyone

Ever wondered how things come together like magic to make something awesome happen? That's what process analysis is all about. 

A process analysis essay is a type of expository writing in which the writer explains the process of something in detail. 

Writing a process analysis essay sounds like a difficult task. But it's just another essay writing assignment, and we’re here to make this task easier for you.

We’ll help you understand how to break down a process and mold it into an essay. With process analysis essay types, format, outline, and topics, you’ll understand everything about these essays. 

So without any further ado, let’s get going!

• 1. What is a Process Analysis Essay?
• 2. How to Write a Process Analysis Essay?
• 3. Process Analysis Essay Examples 
• 4. Process Analysis Essay Topics 
• 5. Process Analysis Essay Writing Tips

What is a Process Analysis Essay?

A process analysis essay is a type of essay that tells how to do something or how to perform a specific task. It is an essay that outlines the procedure or steps that an individual must undertake to accomplish a particular task.

According to the process analysis essay definition :

“It is a type of expository essay that aims to describe some actions or process.”

A process essay is somewhat like explaining a recipe: first, you specify the ingredients, then the steps of what to do with them. In other words, it lists down all the steps in a logical order. 

Types of Process Analysis Essay

There are two types of process analysis essays: directive and informational. When you begin to write your essay, you first need to decide which type you should write.

1. Informational Process Analysis Essay

The informational essay tells the reader how something should be done without giving directions on how to do it. The writer’s tone is informative, and they are not directly talking to the reader.

2. Directive Process Analysis Essay

It explains to the reader how to do something or perform a task by giving proper directions. The body section is organized into steps, with each paragraph explaining one step in the process.

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How to Write a Process Analysis Essay?

Process analysis essay writing requires you to consider every step and tool involved in completing a task. Furthermore, it requires you to explain the logical order that the reader should follow. 

In general, it is similar to the typical five-paragraph essay with a few differences. Here is a step-by-step process of writing a process analysis essay

Step 1. Choose a Topic

When you are choosing an essay topic, do not rush to make a final decision. Take your time to decide which topic suits your needs best. Try to rationalize your choice by keeping the following tips in mind:

• Choose a topic idea that involves the reader
• Find a topic that you have a good understanding of
• Focus your theme on one particular thing
• Choose something that has practical worth and is useful for the reader
• Think about your targeted audience and make sure your topic is relevant to them

Step 2. Draft a Process Analysis Essay Outline

The outline helps you analyze the topic and how you should write your essay. Organize the steps into a logical sequence and incorporate them into the process analysis essay structure.

Take a look at the following outline template of the process analysis essay to get an idea.

Process Analysis Essay Outline Template

Remember that the process analysis essay structure is almost the same as any other type of essay. The only difference is the body section because it is not built on evidence or arguments.

Step 3. Starting the Process Analysis Essay

Starting a process essay is like setting the stage for keeping the reader hooked. Your goal is to grab the reader’s attention in the essay introduction. Read on to understand what makes up for a captivating process essay introduction.

How to Craft The Essay Introduction?

Kickstart the essay by explaining the process you are going to describe in your essay. The following points are involved in writing a process analysis essay introduction:

• Start with an engaging hook statement 
• Formally introduce the topic and define the purpose of the process
• Tell the significance of the process, and why it is useful and worth learning
• Establish a thesis statement for the process analysis essay
• Do not dig deep into the theme’s background or provide historical facts, also avoid unnecessary details
• Discuss the result that can be achieved if everything is performed in the right sequence 

Read this process analysis essay introduction example that brilliantly summarizes all the key points mentioned above:

Step 4. Write the Body Paragraphs 

The body paragraphs are where you break down each step in detail. In typical fashion, you may use as many paragraphs as the number of steps involved in the process. 

Start your paragraphs with a topic sentence . It will help the reader understand what that particular step is going to be about. Use a descriptive writing style in the body. 

For complicated steps, you should divide them into several parts. But try not to confuse your readers with overly detailed steps, as they might lose track!

Always use transition words for a coherent flow in your essay. Make sure that the paragraphs follow a logical order and combine the results at the end after the last step. 

Below are some process analysis paragraph examples that you can read for a clear understanding:

Note : In the above example, the headings are only mentioned to give you an idea of what the step is about. You don’t actually have to give headings before every paragraph in your essay. 

Step 5. Conclude The Essay

In the conclusion , summarize all the steps involved. Inform your audience about the risks or any side effects associated with the process. Discuss the consequences if something goes wrong and how to make it right. 

Always tell your readers the significance of following the process in the given sequence. Define the final result that will be achieved when the process is followed in the proper sequence.

The following conclusion paragraph example gives a wonderful closure to a process analysis essay:

Step 6. Revise Your Essay

The most important part of the writing process is proofreading and revision. Read your essay once you are done writing it to filter out any errors. Make sure that your essay follows the right process analysis essay format. 

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Process Analysis Essay Examples 

Below are some good process analysis essay samples. These examples will help you learn how to write a process analysis essay in a better way. 

Process Analysis Essay Sample PDF

Informational Process Analysis Essay Example

Directive Process Analysis Essay Example

How to Make a Pizza Process Analysis Essay Example

Process Analysis Essay Topics 

Recipes are just simple examples of process analysis essay topics. There are many other topics that you can write about. A fun thing about a process analysis essay is that you can even write an essay on how to write a process analysis essay. 

Below, you can find some amazing topics for writing an incredible process analysis essay.

• How to bake a cake?
• How to make a presentation on PowerPoint?
• How to treat coronavirus?
• How to do laundry?
• How to write an essay?
• How to make an apple pie?
• How to make a sketch?
• How to succeed in college?
• How to lose weight in just 20 days?
• How to learn belly dance?

Process Analysis Essay Topics For College Students

In your high school or college, you may be asked to write a process analysis essay by your instructor. Get an idea of process analysis topics from the ones given below: 

• How can college students implement effective time management strategies?
• What steps are involved in writing a winning college application essay?
• The meticulous methods used to preserve historical artifacts.
• How can students become efficient note-takers during college lectures?
• What are the steps involved in writing and publishing a novel?
• What is the process of organizing a successful event on a college campus?
• Step-by-step guide to creating a professional resume for college students
• The process of designing and developing a video game
• What are the steps involved in starting and running a non-profit organization?
• How do you develop and deliver a business presentation as a student?

Funny Process Analysis Essay Topics

If you’re asked to write a process analysis essay on a funny topic, get an idea from the topics we’ve gathered below:

• The art of mastering the perfect procrastination technique
• How to avoid eye contact in a crowded elevator?
• How to craft the most unconvincing excuse for missing school?
• How to successfully time your arrival just as the party is ending?
• How to not get awkward when the instructor catches you cheating?
• What are the steps to prolong a simple task to an all-day project?
• How to successfully navigate a buffet without filling your plate sky-high?
• Mastering the skill of parallel parking without causing a minor fender bender
• How to convert your messy room into a disaster zone?
• How to make the ugliest costume for Halloween?

If you want to know even more exciting topics, head over to our process analysis essay topics blog!

Process Analysis Essay Writing Tips

The given writing tips will make your essay writing process simple and manageable. Follow them and finish writing your essay quickly.

• Use appropriate vocabulary and language and try to avoid complicated technical terms
• If using technical terms, make sure to explain them properly so that the reader can understand them
• Use transitional words for moving from one step to another
• The steps should be simple and easy to follow
• Give the reader a sense of direction by keeping everything concise and clear
• As it is a process analysis essay, it should follow the chronological sequence

To wrap it up, After reading this guide, you can easily pen down a process analysis essay. We have covered all the essentials of process analysis from the standard format to examples, and writing tips. 

But if you still feel unconfident while writing your process analysis essay, getting professional assistance is always an option.  

MyPerfectWords.com is the best essay writing service that you can rely on for getting a process analysis essay. Our writers are experienced and highly educated. They can handle any type of academic writing assignment with ease. 

So, do not hesitate to reach out to us and let us help you craft a stellar process analysis essay. 

Happy Writing!

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Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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Keep reading

• The Writing Process
• Addressing the Prompt
• Writing Skill: Development
• Originality
• Timed Writing (Expectations)
• Integrated Writing (Writing Process)
• Introduction to Academic Essays
• Organization
• Introduction Paragraphs
• Body Paragraphs
• Conclusion Paragraphs
• Example Essay 1
• Example Essay 2
• Timed Writing (The Prompt)
• Integrated Writing (TOEFL Task 1)

Process Essays

• Process Essay Example 1
• Process Essay Example 2
• Writing Skill: Unity
• Revise A Process Essay
• Timed Writing (Choose a Position)
• Integrated Writing (TOEFL Task 2)
• Comparison Essays
• Comparison Essay Example 1
• Comparison Essay Example 2
• Writing Skill: Cohesion
• Revise A Comparison Essay
• Timed Writing (Plans & Problems)
• Integrated Writing (Word Choice)
• Problem/Solution Essays
• Problem/Solution Essay Example 1
• Problem/Solution Example Essay 2
• Writing Skill: Summary
• Revise A Problem/Solution Essay
• Timed Writing (Revising)
• Integrated Writing (Summary)
• More Writing Skills
• Punctuation
• Simple Sentences
• Compound Sentences
• Complex Sentences Part 1
• Complex Sentences Part 2
• Using Academic Vocabulary
• Translations

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In this chapter, you will write a process essay. To write a process essay, think about things that you know how to do. How would you teach someone to do one of those things?

A process essay is written to teach the reader how to do something (e.g., how to break a bad habit). This essay should describe any steps that are necessary in order to complete the process.

This content is provided to you freely by BYU Open Learning Network.

Access it online or download it at https://open.byu.edu/academic_a_writing/process_essays .

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How to Write a Process Essay: Useful Tips and Examples

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A process essay is a type of expository writing that explains a series of steps or procedures to achieve a particular outcome or complete a task. It provides detailed, step-by-step guidelines for the reader to follow.

If you want to understand how to write a “how to” essay, the best solution is to turn for help to the professional academic essay writers with a rich writing experience. Review this article, which contains everything a student should know before writing your process essay. 

What Is a Process Essay: Definition

Before learning how to write a process paper of A level, it is critical to define the term. A process essay refers to the type of academic writing which contains a detailed description of the particular process in the shape of the step-by-step guide. This form of essay is popular in business & technical writing. Some of the best examples of process essays include:

Students should test the process themselves before writing an instruction or manual. It would be the best answer to the question “ what is a process essay ?”

Process Essay Outline: Structuring Your Paper

There is not much to say about the process essay outline because structure repeats steps required to complete a certain procedure. Having an outline is helpful in any situation associated with academic writing. Put down every stage in chronological order. Once the student has an outline, they may later add some details depending on the process development to come up with the whole body. Maybe you will ask " How to structure an essay of this type?" The structure of a process outline is common:

The length of a “how to” essay depends on whether the chosen procedure is time-consuming or not. Do not pick something extra fast not to have a few-sentence essay in the end.

Process Essay Introduction

Let’s talk a little about the process essay introduction. It does not matter whether an essay is describing the way to get chocolate out of milk and coconuts, explaining some procedure of vaccination, or interpreting steps required to write a book. It is important to identify the target audience from the start! If it is an average user, avoid difficult terms. In case you write to satisfy the curiosity of advanced users, do not mind including various professional terms to prove your competence in the chosen field. Do not worry about structure. The best thing about this type of academic assignment is that step-by-step process itself provides a student with correct structure. Still, experts recommend having an outline. Would you like to know good ways to start an essay of this type? Start an opening paragraph by determining an analyzed procedure and share personal ideas on why this specific process is interesting & important to observe. Formulate a process essay thesis. It is not necessary to cover history or background of some discussed procedure.

Process Essay Body Paragraph

Do not include any details that do not relate to the process itself. If some required tools & equipment are rare, tell readers some ways to get these resources. Write down warnings about possible safety hazards to prevent readers from falling into trap/injuring. Describing steps alone might be dull. To enrich your writing, add some common mistakes to avoid. And provide helpful tips to make this process simpler & quicker. Main body of a process essay is usually written in chronological order. Add every step in chronological order with the help of clear words. If there are similar steps or those that can be performed at different stages, mention it to acknowledge the reader. To prevent confusing situations/failures, experts recommend subdividing the steps of especially long processes (example: Step 1A, 1B, etc.) Professional hint from essay order experts!

Writing Process Essay Conclusion

Let’s see how to end writing a how-to essay. By the end of an instruction, reader/user must be able to repeat provided actions to activate the process or solve some problem alone. If readers cannot do that, it means that writer failed giving clear, correct instructions. How to start a conclusion in an essay ? Do it with some short review of an entire process from A to Z. It will help readers recall what they were doing, how long, and what expected results should be. While body paragraphs provide detailed interpretation of each stage, a conclusion must contain a single short sentence summarizing every step of a process. It should look like an opening sentence of this article.  

How to Write a Process Essay: 10 Simple Steps

Process essay writing is not a difficult task. Even though a process essay is easy to write, it is crucial to know the essential steps of writing. Knowing all nuts and bolts will help you write an article quickly and correctly. Below you will find 10 basic steps you should know to write an outstanding process essay. Step 1:  Think of some topic you want to write about. What interests you most? What will be useful for your readers? Consider all these questions and create the best topic. Browse our process essay topics we prepared for our users.  Step 2:  Start your research. Look for some sources that have relevant information. Collect all important data. Step 3:  Read sources you collected carefully and analyze information. Make notes when reading and have quick access to needed information. Step 4:  Create an outline for your paper. Plan your future paragraphs beforehand. Step 5:  Collect all parts of your guide together and think what you may add to the main body. Write body paragraphs. Step 6:  It is not a good idea to compose your introduction at the beginning. Start writing your introduction paragraph only after you have main part. Step 7:  Don’t forget about a strong hook for your paper. It should be concise, informative, and grab attention of your reader. Step 8:  Finally, summarize all points you mentioned in your text and create your conclusion. Highlight the result again. Show readers what they will get after they follow all steps mentioned in your essay. Step 9:  After all these steps are done, create a catchy and informative title. It should not only display what your essay is about but also grab your reader's attention and make them want to read your guide. Step 10: Proofread your process essay and edit mistakes. Read your text again, check for typos and grammar mistakes. Make sure it is readable and understandable. Following these steps will help you create a truly brilliant process essay that you will get an A+ for. Buy essays papers to enjoy even higher odds to succeed with your submission.

Helpful Tips on How to Write a Process Paper

While writing this type of academic essay, recall these professional tips & tricks and earn A+!

Interesting Process Essay Examples

Of course, we won’t leave you without a real example of a process essay. Only reading this article may not be enough. Before you start your writing, it is better to look at how other students organized similar works. Here is one of professional how-to essay examples shared by college students.

If you want a similar essay customized to your needs, just say " write my essays " and StudyCrumb will provide tailored assistance. Our writers prepare such orders daily and know how to make your process essay beautiful. 

How to Write a Perfect Process Essay: Final Thoughts

As you see, writing a professional essay is not as difficult as you might think. This type of essay does not require some special writing skills or use of high academic language . So following our simple tips we provided in our article will help you create an excellent essay that will guide readers through some steps easily.

Get in touch with our essay writing service and have your assignment done with great quality in mind.  

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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• Instruction/owner’s manual;
• User’s guide;
• “How to…” articles;
• Security instructions;
• Recommendations.
• Introduction paragraph (mention the process to discuss).
• Body paragraphs (list the stage and provide details).
• Conclusion (specify what the expected outcome should be + share some success indicators).
• Say what you are doing to describe an action. It would be paper’s topic, precise, clear, and educating. Narrow down your topic if it sounds broad. Example: Instead of calling some instruction “How to Install Windows” make it “How to Install Windows 10 on the most recent Asus models (name them).”
• Get ready with outline of an essay , which is structure of your essay.
• Name requirements like resources, equipment, instruments, stuff, skills, and knowledge person will need to complete their process. If more than one person is required, mention it.
• Identify technical & professional terms in text. In case manual explains a procedure based on special, technical knowledge/skills, such as carpentry, it is better to include some definitions of some specific terms readers might not know. If your teacher allows, enrich your essay with images, signs, graphs, and tables to explain some word.
• Each good instruction should contain warnings/cautions. List all possible threats & security hazards. Along with some obstacles readers may face in the process. Use an active voice in this part.
• Finish manual/instruction with an explanation of what person should be ready to obtain once the procedure is over (stress the importance of experiment). It is important to list success factors. Example: “Cooked dumplings should not look tenderized/taste raw.”
• Add images & more techniques so readers follow instructions simpler. For instance, “peach color” may be perceived as various textures by various individuals.”

“A good process essay always uses the second person – “you.” It sounds more personal, and readers trust its writer. Be ready to apply a plenty of transitional words & phrases! They make this procedure description logical and clear to every reader. Try to insert different transitions to prevent text from being repetitive. During the process of writing an instruction or manual, do steps described in text to check whether everything works the way it should before offering the same actions to your target audience.” Professor Pryce, academic counselor and online writing tutors at StudyCrumb

Frequently Asked Questions about Process Essay

1. what are good transition words for process essay.

The most appropriate process essay transition words are ones that help readers distinguish different stages of a guide described in your essay. To define stages of your paper try using following transition words:

• After that,
• Eventually,
• Afterwards,

2. How to write a thesis of a process essay?

Thesis statement for process essay should be clear, concise, and informative. In your thesis you should briefly inform a reader of result they will get after reading your guide and following all steps. Mention benefits readers will gain.

3. What is a process essay outline example?

Process essay outline example may look as follows:

• Prepare list of ingredients
• Prepare an oven
• Prepare chocolate chips or dried fruit
• Mix ingredients together
• Bake muffins
• Cool muffins
• Serve muffins.

4. What are final steps after finishing writing process essay?

After you finished writing your process essay, you still should edit and proofread your text:

• Read your text and correct mistakes and typos.
• Delete unnecessary words and sentences.
• Check your instructions again and make sure it is easy to read and understand.
• Give your paper to your friend and ask them to read it. After that ask if they fully understood all instructions. If not, make corrections.

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7.4: 4. Process Essay Sample

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Take a look at the following student essay, which describes a process. Note the different tools the writer uses (Specific details; definition of terms; reasons; don’ts; possible pitfalls. It might be a good idea to actually print a copy of the essay and highlight the different process techniques used to develop each paragraph and to identify which pattern of development is used. Do you think you could rewrite this using one of the other two patterns we discussed?

Acine De Pe Pe Fruit Salad

Acine De Pe Pe Fruit Salad, a unique fruit salad sure to get you hooked after the first bite. This recipe has been passed down to me from previous generations in my family. The kids always request that I make this to bring to holiday or family gatherings because they can’t get enough of it! Even though this salad does take two days to make, the amount of time spent each day is minimal and worth the time spent preparing it. You will want to start the salad the day before you will be serving it.

The first thing that you will need to do is to go the grocery store to purchase the ingredients that you will need. Since this recipe has to be done in precise steps, if you forget an ingredient you cannot just buy it later and add it in, therefore, be sure to bring your shopping list of all ingredients with you to the grocery store. The list of ingredients you will need is:

·         ½ box Acine De Pe Pe

Note:  These are small macaroni ball looking pasta – similar consistency to tapioca. You can find the box in aisle with spaghetti and other pasta. I have found that not every store carries the Acine De Pe Pe pasta, so you may have to visit a couple of grocery stores before you find it.

·         20 oz. can of Crushed Pineapple

·         16 oz. can of Mandarin Oranges

·         1 lg. container of Cool Whip

·         16 oz. jar of Maraschino Cherries

·         ¾ cup of Sugar

·         2 Eggs

·         4 tsp. of Flour

Once you have all of these ingredients, it is time start to prepare the salad. You will need a  5 quart pasta pan to boil the Acine De Pe Pe noodles in; a medium saucepan to mix ingredients together and boil ingredients to create your  sauce mix; a large mixing bowl to mix ingredients together; a wooden spoon  to mix ingredients together; a strainer to drain the crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges into your                                                       saucepan and also to drain and cool your pasta in once cooked; a can opener to open the cans of crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges; a paring knife to chop the mandarin oranges and maraschino cherries;  tin foil or plastic wrap to cover the bowl before putting into the refrigerator to sit overnight; and, a cutting board to chop the mandarin oranges and maraschino cherries on. One you have gotten all the above out on your countertop, you are ready to prepare the salad.

On the first day of preparation you will start out by filling your 5 quart pasta pan ½ way with hot water, put on the stove and bring to a boil on medium heat. Once the water is boiling, add ½ a box of Acine De Pe Pe macaroni balls and stir. Boil on medium for approximately 11-13 minutes. Remove from stove, drain by pouring into strainer over the sink. Let sit and cool while you are preparing the other steps. These noodles are very tiny, so you may see quite a few fall through the holes in the strainer. To prevent this, I usually put two strainers together, one inside the other.

While your noodles are cooling, use the can opener to open and drain 1 (20 oz.) can of crushed pineapple and 1 (16 oz.) can of mandarin oranges. Drain the juice from both the pineapple and the mandarin orange cans into the medium size saucepan on the stove. I usually like to use two cans of mandarin oranges as I like extra fruit in my salad, this is a personal preference. You will then add 2 eggs, ¾ cups of sugar, and 4 tsp. of flour to the juice in the sauce pan. Stir all the ingredients together with your wooden spoon. Cook on medium heat until it starts to bubble a little bit. Stir every every couple of minutes or so until it starts to thicken. The consistency that you are looking for is not too watery, but not as thick as pudding. Once it gets to this consistency, set aside to cool. It is very important not to add too much flour. At first the mixture seems very watery and seems like it will never thicken up, but it will if you stick to the 4 tsp. of flour. If, for some reason, you find it is not thickening up, you can add one or two extra teaspoons of flour, a little at a time.

While the sauce is cooling, place your cutting board on the counter, place your mandarin oranges on it and cut each slice of orange in half with your paring knife and then pour into your large mixing bowl.

Pour your crushed pineapple into the mixing bowl along with the mandarin oranges and stir together with your wooden spoon. Once your Acine De Pe Pe macaroni noodles are cooled, pour them into the large mixing bowl along with the crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges and mix with your wooden spoon.

Once the sauce is in your medium sized saucepan is cooled, pour over the Acine De Pe Pe macaroni noodles, crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges in your large mixing bowl. Mix together with your wooden spoon. Cover the bowl with either tin foil or plastic wrap and place in your refrigerator overnight. Even though this does not look like a large portion in your bowl right now, the noodles will

expand in size overnight in the liquid.

The next morning, take the mixing bowl out of the refrigerator and place on the countertop. Take the Cool Whip and the jar of maraschino cherries out and place on the countertop. Drain the jar of maraschino cherries and take the stems off of them. You will need your cutting board and paring knife to cut the maraschino cherries each in half. Pour all of the maraschino cherries, except 8 halves into your mixture in the large mixing bowl and stir with your wooden spoon. Stir all of the Cool Whip, except ½ cup, into the mixture in the large mixing bowl. Mix well. You can adjust the amount of Cool Whip accordingly, depending on how sweet you prefer. I use according to the recipe (if not more) as I like it sweet.

You can now transfer your salad in to a fancy bowl that you are going to want to serve it in on your dinner table and flatten out the mixture with your wooden spoon. Clean off your wooden spoon so that you can place the remaining Cool Whip on the top of the salad and smooth out over the whole surface, just enough to coat the top of the salad. You will then add the remaining maraschino cherry halves creatively on top of the cool whip to make it look pretty. I usually place them in a circle with about ½ inch in between each of the maraschino cherry halves. Put the salad back in to the refrigerator until you are ready to eat it at your meal.

Congratulations, you have now created a masterpiece sure to please all that sit at your dinner table!  Home There are varying opinions on whether this salad is a dessert or part of a meal, we will let you decide after your first bite!

• Authored by : Jeff Meyers. Provided by : Clinton Community College. License : CC BY: Attribution

How to Write an Explanatory Essay: Comprehensive Guide with Examples

What Is an Explanatory Essay: Definition

Have you ever been tasked with explaining a complex topic to someone without prior knowledge? It can be challenging to break down complex ideas into simple terms that are easy to understand. That's where explanatory writing comes in! An explanatory essay, also known as an expository essay, is a type of academic writing that aims to explain a particular topic or concept clearly and concisely. These essays are often used in academic settings but can also be found in newspapers, magazines, and online publications.

For example, if you were asked to explain how a car engine works, you would need to provide a step-by-step explanation of the different parts of the engine and how they work together to make the car move. Or, if you were asked to explain the process of photosynthesis, you would need to explain how plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create energy.

When wondering - 'what is an explanatory essay?', remember that the goal of an explanatory paper is to provide the reader with a better understanding of the topic at hand. Unlike an opinion essay , this type of paper does not argue for or against a particular viewpoint but rather presents information neutrally and objectively. By the end of the essay, the reader should clearly understand the topic and be able to explain it to others in their own words.

Also, there is no set number of paragraphs in an explanatory essay, as it can vary depending on the length and complexity of the topic. However, when wondering - 'how many paragraphs in an explanatory essay?', know that a typical example of explanatory writing will have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

However, some essays may have more or fewer body paragraphs, depending on the topic and the writer's preference. Ultimately, an explanatory essay format aims to provide a clear and thorough explanation of the topic, using as many paragraphs as necessary.

20 Interesting Explanatory Essay Topics 

Now that we have defined what is explanatory essay, the next step is choosing a good explanatory topic. A well-chosen topic is interesting and relevant to your audience while also being something you are knowledgeable about and can provide valuable insights on. By selecting a topic that is too broad or too narrow, you run the risk of either overwhelming your audience with too much information or failing to provide enough substance to fully explain the topic. Additionally, choosing a topic that is too controversial or biased can lead to difficulty in presenting information objectively and neutrally. By choosing a good explanatory topic, you can ensure that your essay is well-informed, engaging, and effective in communicating your ideas to your audience.

Here are 20 creative explanatory essay topics by our admission essay service to consider:

• How does the human brain process emotions?
• The benefits and drawbacks of remote work.
• The science behind climate change and its effects.
• The history and evolution of hip-hop music.
• The impact of social media on mental health.
• The benefits of learning a second language.
• The process of how a computer operates.
• The causes and effects of bullying in schools.
• The impact of technology on modern education.
• The reasons for the decline of bee populations and their importance to the ecosystem.
• The effects of caffeine on the human body.
• The process of how vaccines work to prevent disease.
• The impact of video games on youth behavior and development.
• The reasons for the gender pay gap and how to close it.
• The benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy sources.
• The history and cultural significance of tattoos.
• The causes and effects of income inequality in society.
• The process of how a book is published.
• The impact of social media on political discourse.
• The benefits and drawbacks of the gig economy.

How to Start an Explanatory Essay: Important Steps

Starting an explanatory essay can be challenging, especially if you are unsure where to begin. However, by following a few simple steps, you can effectively kick-start your writing process and produce a clear and concise essay. Here are some tips and examples from our term paper writing services on how to start an explanatory essay:

• Choose an engaging topic : Your topic should be interesting, relevant, and meaningful to your audience. For example, if you're writing about climate change, you might focus on a specific aspect of the issue, such as the effects of rising sea levels on coastal communities.
• Conduct research : Gather as much information as possible on your topic. This may involve reading scholarly articles, conducting interviews, or analyzing data. For example, if you're writing about the benefits of mindfulness meditation, you might research the psychological and physical benefits of the practice.
• Develop an outline : Creating an outline will help you logically organize your explanatory essay structure. For example, you might organize your essay on the benefits of mindfulness meditation by discussing its effects on mental health, physical health, and productivity.
• Provide clear explanations: When writing an explanatory article, it's important to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely. Use simple language and avoid technical jargon. For example, if you're explaining the process of photosynthesis, you might use diagrams and visual aids to help illustrate your points.
• Use evidence to support your claims : Use evidence from reputable sources to support your claims and arguments. This will help to build credibility and persuade your readers. For example, if you're writing about the benefits of exercise, you might cite studies that demonstrate its positive effects on mental health and cognitive function.

By following these tips and examples, you can effectively start your expository essays and produce a well-structured, informative, and engaging piece of writing.

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Explanatory Essay Outline

As mentioned above, it's important to create an explanatory essay outline to effectively organize your ideas and ensure that your essay is well-structured and easy to follow. An outline helps you organize your thoughts and ideas logically and systematically, ensuring that you cover all the key points related to your topic. It also helps you identify gaps in your research or argument and allows you to easily revise and edit your essay. In this way, an outline can greatly improve the overall quality and effectiveness of your explanatory essay.

Explanatory Essay Introduction

Here are some tips from our ' do my homework ' service to create a good explanatory essay introduction that effectively engages your readers and sets the stage for the entire essay:

• Start with a hook: Begin your introduction with an attention-grabbing statement or question that draws your readers in. For example, you might start your essay on the benefits of exercise with a statistic on how many Americans suffer from obesity.
• Provide context: Give your readers some background information on the topic you'll be discussing. This helps to set the stage and ensures that your readers understand the importance of the topic. For example, you might explain the rise of obesity rates in the United States over the past few decades.
• State your thesis: A good explanatory thesis example should be clear, concise, and focused. It should state the main argument or point of your essay. For example, you might state, ' Regular exercise is crucial to maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.'
• Preview your main points: Give your readers an idea of what to expect in the body of your essay by previewing your main points. For example, you might explain that you'll be discussing the benefits of exercise for mental health, physical health, and longevity.
• Keep it concise: Your introduction should be brief and to the point. Avoid getting bogged down in too much detail or providing too much background information. A good rule of thumb is to keep your introduction to one or two paragraphs.

The Body Paragraphs

By following the following tips, you can create well-organized, evidence-based explanation essay body paragraphs that effectively support your thesis statement.

• Use credible sources: When providing evidence to support your arguments, use credible sources such as peer-reviewed academic journals or reputable news outlets. For example, if you're writing about the benefits of a plant-based diet, you might cite a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
• Organize your paragraphs logically: Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or argument related to your topic. Organize your paragraphs logically so that each one builds on the previous one. For example, if you're writing about the causes of climate change, you might organize your paragraphs to focus on human activity, natural causes, and the effects of climate change.
• Use transitional phrases: Use transitional phrases to help your readers follow the flow of your ideas. For example, you might use phrases such as 'in addition,' 'furthermore,' or 'on the other hand' to indicate a shift in your argument.
• Provide analysis: Don't just present evidence; provide analysis and interpretation of the evidence. For example, if you're writing about the benefits of early childhood education, you might analyze the long-term effects on academic achievement and future earnings.
• Summarize your main points: End each body paragraph with a sentence that summarizes the main point or argument you've made. This helps to reinforce your thesis statement and keep your essay organized. For example, you might end a paragraph on the benefits of exercise by stating, 'Regular exercise has been shown to improve mental and physical health, making it a crucial aspect of a healthy lifestyle.'

Explanatory Essay Conclusion

Here are some unique tips on how to write an explanatory essay conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your readers.

• Offer a solution or recommendation: Instead of summarizing your main points, offer suggestions based on the information you've presented. This can help to make your essay more impactful and leave a lasting impression on your readers. For example, if you're writing about the effects of pollution on the environment, you might recommend using more eco-friendly products or investing in renewable energy sources.
• Emphasize the importance of your topic: Use your concluding statement to emphasize the importance of your topic and why it's relevant to your readers. This can help to inspire action or change. For example, suppose you're writing about the benefits of volunteering. In that case, you might emphasize how volunteering helps others and has personal benefits such as improved mental health and a sense of purpose.
• End with a powerful quote or statement: End your explanatory essay conclusion with a powerful quote or statement that reinforces your main point or leaves a lasting impression on your readers. For example, if you're writing about the importance of education, you might end your essay with a quote from Nelson Mandela, such as, 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.'

Explanatory Essay Example

Here is an example of an explanatory essay:

Explanatory Essay Example:

Importance of Basketball

Final Thoughts

Now you understand whats an explanatory essay. However, if you're still feeling overwhelmed or unsure about writing an explanatory essay, don't worry. Our team of experienced writers is here to provide you with top-notch academic assistance tailored to your specific needs. Whether you need to explain what is an appendix in your definition essay or rewrite essay in five paragraphs, we've got you covered! With our professional help, you can ensure that your essay is well-researched, well-written, and meets all the academic requirements.

And if you'd rather have a professional craft flawless explanatory essay examples, know that our friendly team is dedicated to helping you succeed in your academic pursuits. So why not take the stress out of writing and let us help you achieve the academic success you deserve? Contact us today with your ' write paper for me ' request, and we will support you every step of the way.

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Crafting a Compelling Explanation Essay: A Complete Guidebook

Quick Navigation

• 1. Defining Explanation Essays
• 2. What is the Purpose of Writing an Explanation Essay?
• 3. Types of Explanation Essays That You May Encounter in Schools and Colleges
• 4. How to Craft a Compelling and Effective Explanation Essay
• 5. The Structure and Format of an Explanation Essay
• 6. Explanation Essay Outline Template: Example
• 7. Engaging Topic Ideas for Writing Explanation Essays
• 8. Summing Up

Have you ever found yourself struggling to understand a complex concept or idea? Have you ever wished that someone would just explain it to you in a clear and concise way? Whether it’s in school, at work, or in everyday life, we all encounter things that are difficult to comprehend. That’s where explanation essays come in. These types of essays, also regarded as “expository essays”, provide clear and compact explanations of complex ideas, breaking them down into manageable pieces that anyone can understand. From defining a term to analyzing cause and effect relationships, explanation essays are an essential tool for effectively conveying information. In this blog, we will discuss what an explanation essay means, the different types of explanation essays, the purpose behind writing them, how to write a compelling explanation essay, provide an outline example, and finally share some great engaging topics. In case you still need help to do my essay , we are here to assist.

Defining Explanation Essays

An explanation essay is a type of academic writing that aims to clarify or explain a particular subject or topic to the reader. The purpose of an explanation essay is to provide the reader with a thorough understanding of a complex concept or process clearly and succinctly. This type of essay can cover a wide range of topics, including science, technology, literature, and art.

In an explanation essay, the writer uses clear and simple language to explain a concept or process to the reader. The essay is structured in a way that is easy to follow, with each paragraph focusing on a different aspect of the subject being explained. Examples and illustrations are used to support the ideas and help readers better understand the concept or subject.

The thesis statement of an explanation essay outlines the main point or argument that the writer will be presenting. To make it a perfect essay , the writer should use evidence to support their thesis statement and present their ideas in a logical and organized manner.

One of the challenges of writing an explanation essay is striking a balance between providing enough detail to explain the concept or process without overwhelming the reader with too much information. The writer must also ensure that they are using language that is appropriate for their audience, avoiding technical jargon or complex terms that may be difficult for the reader to understand.

What is the Purpose of Writing an Explanation Essay?

The objective of writing an explanation essay is to provide the readers with a clear understanding of a complex concept, process, or phenomenon. In an explanation essay, the writer tries to convey information that may be unfamiliar or difficult for the readers to understand. This could be a scientific concept, a technical process, or a philosophical idea. Hence, the writer should present their ideas and evidence in a way that is easy for the readers to follow, using clear and simple language, providing examples and illustrations, and organizing the information in a logical sequence.

Overall, the intent of constructing an explanation essay is to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of a specific subject or topic, breaking it down into its constituent parts and presenting them in a clear and accessible manner. By doing so, the writer can help the reader to expand their knowledge and develop a deeper appreciation for the subject matter.

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Types of Explanation Essays That You May Encounter in Schools and Colleges

There are different types of explanation essays that students might have to write in schools and colleges. Here are some common types:

• Definition Essay

A definition essay is a type of essay where the writer defines and explains the meaning of a term, concept, or idea. The essay should start with a definition of the term or concept being defined, followed by a detailed explanation of what it means and its significance. The writer should also provide examples to illustrate the meaning of the term or concept being defined. A definition essay can be subjective or objective, depending on the writer’s perspective and approach.

• Compare and Contrast Essay

A compare-and-contrast essay is a type of essay that analyzes the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. The writer should first introduce the subjects being compared and contrasted, and then highlight their similarities and differences. The essay should contain a clear thesis statement that explains the purpose and significance of the comparison. One must use specific examples and evidence to support their points and create a compelling argument.

• How-to Essay

A how-to essay is a type of essay that explains how to do something or how something works. The essay should provide step-by-step instructions on how to complete a task or perform a process. The writer should start by introducing the topic and explaining why it is important or relevant. Clear instructions, along with illustrations and examples must be utlized where necessary. The essay should end with a summary of the main points and any final thoughts or recommendations.

• Cause and Effect Essay

A cause-and-effect essay is a type of essay that analyzes the relationship between a cause and its effect. The writer should first identify the cause and explain its significance, followed by a discussion of the effect and its impact. The essay should contain a clear thesis statement that explains the relationship between the cause and effect being analyzed. The writer should also use specific examples and evidence to support their points and create a compelling argument.

• Problem and Solution Essay

A problem-and-solution essay is a type of essay that analyzes a particular problem and proposes a solution. The writer should first identify the problem and explain its significance, followed by a discussion of potential solutions and their feasibility. The essay should contain a clear thesis statement that explains the problem and proposed solution. One must use specific examples and evidence to support their points and create a compelling argument.

• Process Explanation Essay

A process explanation essay is a type of essay that explains the step-by-step process of how something is done, made, or works. To write a compelling process explanation essay, it’s essential to break down the process into detailed steps, using appropriate transitions to move smoothly from one step to the next. Including illustrations or diagrams can also help clarify the steps and make the process easier to follow.

• Concept Explanation Essay

A concept explanation essay is a type of essay that explains a complex concept or idea. This type of essay is often used to clarify abstract concepts that may be difficult for some people to understand. For example, explaining the concept of globalization, democracy, or social media. To write an effective concept explanation essay, it’s essential to define the concept concisely, using examples and analogies to make the concept more relatable and understandable.

• Classification Explanation Essay

A classification explanation essay is a type of essay that explains how different items or ideas can be classified or categorized. To write a compelling classification explanation essay, it’s essential to identify the criteria for classification and explain how the items or ideas fit into each category. Providing examples and using simple and easy language can help to make the classification more understandable.

Each type of explanation essay requires a different approach and structure, but they all aim to provide a clear and comprehensive understanding of a particular subject or topic.

How to Craft a Captivating and Effective Explanation Essay?

Crafting a captivating and effective explanation essay requires a clear understanding of the topic, a logical and organized structure, and engaging writing that captures the reader’s attention. Here are some tips to help you craft a compelling explanation essay:

• Choose a specific topic of your interest: Make sure that your topic is specific and well-defined and something that interests you. It should be something that can be explained clearly and concisely, without overwhelming the reader with too much information.
• Determine your purpose: Identify the purpose of your explanation essay. Are you trying to educate the reader about a topic, persuade them to adopt a certain viewpoint, or provide instructions on how to perform a task? Once you have determined your purpose, you can focus your writing to achieve that goal.
• Do your research: Before you start writing, make sure you have done thorough research on your topic. Gather information from reliable sources, such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. Take notes and organize your research to help you structure your essay.
• Develop a thesis statement: Write a thesis statement that summarizes the main idea of your essay. This statement should be arguable and should set the tone for the rest of your essay.
• Plan your essay: Create an essay outline , breaking it down into sections or paragraphs. Each section should focus on a specific aspect of the topic and should be organized logically and coherently.
• Use clear and simple language: Use simple language to explain the topic. Avoid using technical jargon or complex terms that may be difficult for your audience to understand.
• Provide examples: Use examples and illustrations to help clarify and support your ideas. These examples should be relevant and should help the reader to understand the topic more fully.
• Use transitions: Use transitions between paragraphs and sections to help the reader follow the flow of your essay. These transitions should be smooth and should help to connect your ideas.
• Use a neutral tone: An explanatory essay requires you to explain or elaborate on a specific topic without trying to persuade readers on taking any side. Make sure you keep the tone objective and stick to explaining an idea only.
• Use visuals: Visual aids such as diagrams, charts, and graphs can help clarify complex information and make your explanation essay more engaging.
• Revise and edit: After you have completed your first draft, take the time to revise and edit your essay. Look for areas where you can improve clarity and coherence. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure your citations are accurate.

Bear in mind that creating a captivating and effective explanation essay requires careful planning, thorough research, and engaging writing that captures the reader’s attention. By following these tips, you can create an explanation essay that is informative, engaging, and memorable.

The Structure and Format of an Explanation Essay

Below, we have given a brief overview of the structure and format of an explanation essay.

Introduction:

The introduction is the opening paragraph of your essay and is where you introduce the topic you will be explaining. It should grab the reader’s attention and provide background information on the topic. You should also include a thesis statement that presents the main idea of your essay. This statement should be clear and concise, outlining what the reader should expect to learn from reading your essay.

Body Paragraphs:

The body paragraphs are where you provide a detailed explanation of your topic. Depending on the type of explanation essay you are writing, the body paragraphs will differ in structure and content.

For process explanation essays, the body paragraphs should describe each step thoroughly, using clear and concise language. Each step should be presented in a logical order, and any background information, tips, or warnings should be included.

For concept explanation essays, the body paragraphs should break down the concept into manageable parts and provide examples or analogies to clarify the topic. You should also provide any relevant background information or history that may help the reader understand the concept better.

For classification explanation essays, the body paragraphs should describe the criteria used to classify the items or ideas and provide examples for each category. You should also explain why you chose these categories and how they relate to each other.

Conclusion:

The conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay and should summarize the main points you made in the body of the essay. You should restate your thesis in a new way, emphasizing the importance of the topic and the significance of the information you provided. You may also leave the reader with a final thought or a call to action related to your topic.

In terms of formatting, you must follow the guidelines and essay format as per the instructions provided to you. If you are writing in APA style, then your essay should be double-spaced with 1-inch margins on all sides and written in Times New Roman or Arial font, size 12. Your essay should also include a header with your name, the date, and the title of the essay. So, be sure to follow any specific formatting guidelines provided by your instructor or institution.

Explanation Essay Outline Template: Example

Here’s an outline template for an explanation essay on the topic “How does the human brain process emotions?”

I. Introduction

• Hook: Start with an interesting fact or statistic about emotions and the brain.
• Background information: Briefly introduce the topic of how the human brain processes emotions and why it’s important to study.
• Thesis statement: Clearly state the main point or argument of the essay, such as “This essay will explore the different regions of the brain that are involved in processing emotions and how they interact to influence our feelings and behaviors.”
• Definition of emotions: Define what emotions are and why they’re important for human survival and well-being.
• The amygdala: Explain the role of the amygdala in processing emotions, including its connection to fear and anxiety.
• The prefrontal cortex: Describe how the prefrontal cortex helps regulate emotions and plays a role in decision-making and social behavior.
• The insula: Discuss the function of the insula in processing bodily sensations and emotional awareness.
• The hippocampus: Explain how the hippocampus is involved in memory and the emotional context of past experiences.
• Interaction between brain regions: Describe how these different regions of the brain interact to create our emotional experiences and influence our behavior.
• Conclusion of the body: Summarize the main points discussed in the body of the essay.

III. Conclusion

• Restate thesis: Remind the reader of the main argument of the essay.
• Implications: Discuss the implications of understanding how the brain processes emotions, such as developing treatments for mental health disorders or improving emotional intelligence.
• Closing thoughts: End with a final thought or reflection on the importance of studying emotions and the brain.
• Call to action: Encourage the readers to learn more about the topic or take action related to the information presented in the essay.

Engaging Topics Ideas for Writing Explanation Essays

Check out some interesting and engaging topic ideas for preparing explanation essays.

• The science behind meditation and how it can improve mental health.
• The process of creating a budget and managing personal finances.
• How the human brain processes and retains information.
• The effects of climate change on global weather patterns.
• The impact of artificial intelligence on modern society.
• The process of creating a successful business plan.
• The differences between various genres of music and their historical roots.
• The effects of globalization on local cultures and economies.
• How to prepare and cook a traditional dish from a foreign cuisine.
• The psychological and sociological factors that influence human behavior.
• How to conduct effective research and present findings concisely.
• The role of technology in modern education and its impact on student learning.
• The process of building a house or other large structure from the ground up.
• The causes and effects of air pollution on human health and the environment.
• How to prepare and deliver an engaging and informative presentation.
• The history and cultural significance of a specific dance style or tradition.
• The process of creating a successful marketing campaign for a new product or service.
• The effects of different types of exercise on the human body and mind.
• The impact of social media on mental health and well-being.
• The process of developing and implementing a successful public policy.

Remember, the key to writing an effective explanation essay is to choose a topic that is interesting, relevant, and something that you are knowledgeable about. This will help you to craft a well-researched and informative essay that engages and informs your readers. We suggest checking out a few essay examples to get a better understanding of how explanation essays are written.

Crafting an explanation essay is an effective way to share knowledge and information with your audience. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this blog, you can craft a brilliant explanation essay on any topic. Whether you are explaining a complex concept, describing a process, or presenting an argument, the key is to keep your writing clear, concise, and engaging, says my essay writing expert. Remember to always consider your audience and their level of knowledge on the topic, and use examples and evidence to support your points. With practice and dedication, you can become skilled in explanation essay writing, capable of educating and informing your readers on a wide range of topics.

7+ Explanatory Essay Examples That Get the Best Grades

Table of contents

Meredith Sell

Writing explanatory essays is hard, even for experienced scholars.

In this post, I want to try to tackle the major challenges students face when writing this type of essay, using examples of successful essays. These challenges include:

• Struggling to come up with the right idea . (solution:  brainstorming techniques )
• Difficulty in organizing the essay. (solution: working on the outline of the essay)
• Not having enough evidence or sources to back up points. (solution: doing proper research )
• Failing to come up with a conclusion. (solution: following our guide to conclusions )
• Not having enough knowledge of the topic. (solution: summarizing key articles on the topic)
• Having trouble finding the right words. (solution: writing with Wordtune )
• Not having enough time to finish the essay. (solution: working on student time management )
• Not being able to present arguments effectively. (solution: learning essay persuasion techniques )

As you can see, for every issue there is the relevant solution, but it takes time to implement it. Another way of tackling this essay is to see other people's essay examples and getting inspiration from them.

Write your explanatory essay faster with this FREE AI tool > Write your explanatory essay faster with this FREE AI tool >

What Is an Explanatory Essay?

If you google “explanatory essay”, you’ll find a bunch of sites saying that an explanatory essay is the same as an expository essay, or that it’s totally different, or not even mentioning that expository essays exist. Who’s right?

Answer: Whoever your professor agrees with.

No, seriously. Your professor decides the parameters of your assignment. So if your professor defines an explanatory essay as one that describes a perspective or analyzes the efficacy of, for example, a local housing policy—that’s the definition you should work from.

But if your professor distinguishes between explanatory essays (which simply explain what something is and how it works or was developed) and expository essays (which expose the reality of a person, place, thing, or idea through investigation and evaluation), you should distinguish between them as well.

For the purposes of this piece, we’re going to use explanatory and expository interchangeably. The dividing line that some draw between these essay types is unnecessarily technical. What’s important is that both:

• Use an objective perspective
• Let the facts speak for themselves

As long as your essay does the same (and includes analysis if required by your professor), you should be in good shape.

Example of explanatory essay

We wrote a whole article on generating essay topic ideas , but here is a good example that can help you get an idea for your own essay:

Why is having a dog as a pet such a wonderful experience?

Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the world. They are beloved companions that bring joy and happiness into the lives of their owners. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and have evolved to become the perfect pet for humans. In this essay, I will explain why having a dog as a pet is a wonderful experience.

One of the primary benefits of having a dog as a pet is the companionship they offer. Dogs are social animals that thrive on human interaction. They are loyal and loving creatures that are always there for their owners. Dogs can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression, and provide comfort and support during difficult times.

Another benefit of having a dog as a pet is the health benefits they offer. Studies have shown that owning a dog can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve overall health. Dogs require daily exercise, which encourages their owners to be more active and can lead to a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, having a dog can boost the immune system and reduce the risk of allergies and asthma in children.

Dogs are also great for families with children. They can help teach children about responsibility, compassion, and empathy. Children can learn to care for and nurture their pets, which can be beneficial for their emotional development. Dogs are also great playmates for children and can provide hours of entertainment and fun.

Training and caring for a dog can also be a rewarding experience. Dogs can be trained to perform a variety of tasks, such as fetching, obedience, and even therapy work. The process of training a dog can help strengthen the bond between the owner and the dog and can be a fulfilling experience. Additionally, caring for a dog requires daily attention and can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment for the owner.

In conclusion, having a dog as a pet can be a wonderful experience. Dogs offer companionship, health benefits, and can be great for families with children. Caring for a dog can also be a rewarding experience and can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment for the owner. Owning a dog is a big responsibility, but the rewards far outweigh the effort required.

Example of an explanatory paragraph, generated with AI:

A few subtypes of explanatory essays:

Description or definition essay example

‍ Perhaps the most basic, this subtype does the deceptively simple work of, well, describing or defining a concept, place, person, etc.

Example: How Suspension Bridges Work

This essay explains: The way suspension bridges are constructed and how their design enables them to carry such immense weight.

Cause-and-effect essay example

This type of essay hones in on a particular phenomenon to show what caused it (i.e., where it came from) and how it influences other things.

Example: How Federally Funded Highways Transformed the United States

This essay explains: The history of federally funded highways in the U.S., when federal programs to fund highway construction started, why politicians and others thought highways were important, and what the effect has been on the landscapes, communities, economies, and ecosystems of the country.

Compare-and-contrast essay example

Take two or more things, gather the facts about them, and then write about their similarities and differences.

Example: Hybrid vs. Electric Cars

This essay explains: The various features of hybrid and electric cars, and shows how they are either different or similar in terms of: cost, energy consumption, size, drive time, ease of use, and so on.

‍ How-to essay example

Walk your reader step-by-step through a procedure so they can do it for themselves. (We’re doing this later!)

Example: How to Prepare for an Intercontinental Bike Trip

This essay explains: How to get ready for a bike trip between nations and continents. Readers learn how to research their route, find out what travel documents they need, choose the right gear, and determine how much training they should do before leaving.

Problem and solution essay example

Explain a problem (along with its causes and effects) and then describe one or more potential solutions to that problem. This subtype could also be combined with compare-and-contrast to determine the most effective solution.

Example: How Bike Infrastructure Could Solve American Obesity

This essay explains: How American reliance on motorized vehicles promotes a sedentary lifestyle that drives obesity, whereas building bike lanes and trails could encourage Americans to be more active and improve their health one pedal at a time.

‍ Chronology essay example

Explain the history or backstory of a person, place, thing, or idea in chronological order.

Example: The Evolution of the Bicycle

This essay explains: The initial invention of the bicycle and how its shape, frame, and size changed over the years.

What type of explanatory essay are you writing? Hopefully, this list helped you hone in. Now, let’s start the writing process.

5 Steps to Write Your Essay

Whether you’re writing an explanatory/expository essay or a persuasive essay, the process of researching and writing is pretty much the same. Both genres require research, organization, and thought . But with expository essays, the thought focuses on making sure you understand your topic inside-out and determining the best way to explain it, while with persuasive essays, you’re focused on crafting a convincing argument.

Follow these steps to turn that blank page into a final manuscript:

1. Choose topic and angle. 

Do you have free rein to write about the topic of your choice? Make the most of it.

In college, my public speaking professor let us choose all of our own speech topics. A classmate gave an explanatory presentation on how to survive the zombie apocalypse . She brought props and had the class totally enchanted. Our professor encouraged creativity, so I’m sure she earned a winning grade—and had fun in the process.

You can’t use props or sound in a written essay, but you can still work some creative magic. That magic starts with choosing your topic and angle.

To choose well, first make sure you understand the assignment: 

• What exactly has your professor asked you to write? Which of the subtypes should your piece be?
• Are there any parameters for what type of topic you can write about?
• What kind of class is this? An English composition class will offer more freedom than, say, a history class focused on the French Revolution.

If you’re allowed to write about anything, brainstorm a list of topics you’re curious about. Then think of smaller topics within that area.

Example: Transportation

• Electric cars
• The highway system
• Engineering

Any of these topics you could easily write volumes about, so next, narrow down to your specific angle. One way I like to come up with angles is to think of how two or three different topics intersect.

Example 1: electric cars + the highway system 

Angle: How Much Will It Cost to Update Federal Highways with Charging Stations for Electric Cars

Notice that this angle includes a third element: cost

Example 2: bicycles + bridges

Angle: The Safest Bridges for Bicycles Have One Thing in Common: No Cars

Third element: safety

Example 3: electric cars + buses

Angle: Electric Cars vs. Buses: Which Is Better for the Environment?

Third element: environment

Your turn: Make a list of topics you’re interested in. Then, identify some intersecting topics. Based on your assignment parameters, develop an angle that narrows your focus to an intersection that interests you.

Not sure what angle to go with? Do some broad research on your topics and then return to this step.

2. Research, research, research.

Explanatory essays require solid research. These essays exist to lay out the facts for the reader so they can clearly understand the topic. Your opinion—what you think about electric cars or suspension bridges or transportation infrastructure—doesn’t matter. And it doesn’t belong here.

Where you should start your research depends on how much knowledge you already have.

If you’re writing about suspension bridges and you already know the Brooklyn Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge are suspension bridges, you probably don’t need to start with the encyclopedic entry for “suspension bridges”. But if you don’t know the basic facts about your topic, encyclopedias are a great place to start.

Thanks to the advances of technology—and this marvelous thing called the internet—you don’t have to go to a research library to gain that ground-level knowledge of your topic. But you do still need to make sure you’re drawing from credible sources.

For encyclopedias, try these to start:

• Encyclopedia.com

Dictionaries can be helpful too:

• Merriam-Webster
• Dictionary.com

Once you know your topics’ basic facts, focus on researching those topics in the context of your angle . It may help to make a list of questions you’re trying to answer so you can keep your research focused.

Example: Electric Cars vs. Buses: Which Is Better for the Environment?

• Are most buses gas-powered or electric?
• What’s the average emissions of greenhouse gas from gas-powered buses?
• How much energy do electric cars use? What’s the lifespan of their batteries? Are they just using electricity that was produced in a polluting way somewhere else? What about electric buses?
• How many people can ride a bus? How many people typically are transported by one car? 
• What would be the average energy consumption per person in an electric car versus a bus?

Once you know the questions you need to answer, look for sources that address those questions. For an academic essay, you’ll probably want to stick with academic sources : peer-reviewed studies and research papers published by academic journals. But official government databases can also be useful. And news stories from reputable publications can provide some direction as well (check with your professor to see whether or not you can use news publications as sources for your essay). Your educational institution likely provides access to all of these kinds of sources through the university library.

Your turn: Think through your angle and make a list of questions your piece needs to answer. Next, start searching academic databases for the information you need. Take notes as you research, and be sure to save any links, titles, author names, page numbers, and publication information you’ll need to properly cite your sources.

3. Outline your essay.

Call me crazy, but I actually think this is the fun part. I hated writing outlines when I was in school, but since making my living as a professional writer, they’ve become the #1 way I beat writer’s block.

First: Throw out the idea that your outline should be a series of bullet points neatly organized into sections and subsections. Your outline only needs to make sense to you , so play around to find an approach that works with your brain. The idea here is simply to make a map you’ll follow when you sit down to write.

Here’s what I do:

• Identify the specific hook I’m going to use to start things off.
• List the different examples and details I need to include.
• Use the main focus or idea of my piece to order everything in a natural, logical way.

A lot of times, my outline becomes a combination of bullet points and sentences or paragraphs I write as I’m sketching out the piece. I’m basically just thinking the piece through, from beginning to end. Instead of getting stuck while I’m writing, I work through the tough spots in the outlining stage.

This is what my outline looked like for this piece:

Okay, that’s kind of long, so I cut it off early—but you get the point. 

A lot of times, my outline starts as bare-bones bullets. As I work on it, ideas pop up that I stick in where they make sense. But when I write, those elements might move around ( notice how the examples of transportation essays got bumped up to the section on subtypes of essays ).

Your outline is just a guide. It’s not an architect’s blueprint that needs to be followed to the exact millimeter. There’s room for things to change. 

But an outline keeps you on-track when you’re writing . If you find yourself stuck (or lost) in the writing step, reference your map. You might need to backtrack, move what you’ve written around, or adjust your route. 

Your turn: Take a few minutes and sketch out your essay. Where does it start? What points does it hit? Are there any ways you see the different points connecting that should inform how you order them? As you think it through, scribble out any lines or paragraphs that come to you and stick them in the outline where they make the most sense. Even if you don’t use these exact words later, they’ll help prevent that deer-in-the-headlights stare that hits when you see a blank page.

Time to put everything together! 

With your outline and research ready, start your intro and set up your piece. Your opening should briefly introduce your readers to the topic(s) you’re writing about and the questions you’re going to answer—but don’t give everything away. You want to stir up readers’ curiosity and give them a reason to keep reading.

Depending on the length of your essay, your intro may be one to three paragraphs long (longer pieces get longer intros). But it should be concise and to the point, and smoothly transition into the body of your essay.

The body is the meat and potatoes of your piece. Answer those questions, flesh out your explanation, and give readers a thorough understanding of your topic. Show off your research! Include those bizarre and fascinating facts you learned along the way. Use a tasteful metaphor or compelling anecdote to explain some of the more difficult aspects of your topic. 

As you write, be sure to follow a consistent logic throughout your piece: 

• If you’re detailing a history or an event, use chronological order: start at the beginning and write about the events in the order that they happened.
• Are you explaining how a machine or other invention works? Start with where the movement starts—the pedals of a bicycle, the wind turning the turbines—or with the feature doing the most significant work (e.g., the wires of the suspension bridge). 
• Other logics include: size (small to large, large to small), significance (greatest to least), or space (left to right, right to left, outside to center, center to outside).

You don’t need to label everything you write about as the “next biggest” or “least significant”, but sticking to a logic helps your readers orient themselves—and helps you determine which paragraph or subtopic should go where. This way, your thoughts clearly flow from one paragraph to the next. 

‍ Quick note: If you can’t name the logic that’s guiding your piece, don’t worry. As long as your paragraphs naturally follow each other and all questions raised in the intro are answered by the end, your essay probably follows a logic just fine. But if you feel like your piece bounces around willy-nilly, play with a couple different logics and see if one smoothly orders your sentences and paragraphs.

Your turn: Get writing! If you’re stuck on the intro, try writing a working title for your piece to focus your attention. Then, follow your outline to work all the way from the beginning to a conclusion that sums everything up.

If you can, let your piece sit for at least a day. Then, for the editing process , open up that document and read through with these questions in mind:

• Does the essay fulfill the assignment? Review the assignment description from your professor. Does your essay tick all the boxes? If not, what’s missing? Can you weave that element into what you’ve already written? Revise as necessary.
• Are the sentences and paragraphs ordered in a way that makes logical sense? If your essay feels clunky in places, you might have switched logics (as explained above) or you might need to insert some more explanation that clearly ties the sentences or paragraphs together. Make sure your essay doesn’t just list facts, but also shows how they relate to each other.
• Does the hook catch your eye? The beginning of your piece should grab your reader’s attention. Check out our advice for prize-winning hooks here .
• Does the conclusion effectively sum things up? Instead of repeating everything your essay says, your conclusion should briefly distill the main takeaway or core idea for your reader. It should show that you’ve fulfilled the promise made in your intro, without being unnecessarily repetitive or redundant.
• Have you cited all your sources? Make sure to cross this off before hitting “submit.” Follow the citation style specified by your professor.
• Is spelling and grammar clean and correct? You are writing, after all, and these things matter. A bonus tip to help you catch those sneaky typos: Read your piece backwards. You might be surprised what you spot.

Did We Explain That Well Enough?

This blog was basically a long, non-academic explanatory essay, so hopefully, you’ve learned something new and are feeling less overwhelmed about your essay on medieval literature, transportation infrastructure, Persian history—or whatever you’re writing about.

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