1. Process Writing Aka “instructional writing” By AJ Brown

2. How you will use process writing… As a learner you will read/hear instructions or directions read/hear about stages or cycles or other natural processes hear and use the transitions common to process writing for note taking As a writer you will write essays and papers to show you understand the processes and cycles you study write short answer exams write a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation, part of which will use process writing

3. Vocabulary words in process writing that you NEED to know… step directions recipe easy difficult follow first next finally process procedure

4. Real examples… From a business class In a two- to three-page paper, give advice to a new manager about how to successfully perform the four functions of management – planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. From a human physiology class After the brain organizes incoming messages, it sends responses to the body. Describe this process. (30 points)

5. A modal example… How to wash a dog

6. STEP 1: Brainstorm for ideas… Get it wet Brush its hair Get shampoo Wash well (don’t forget under the legs or near the tail) Clip nails Put on collar and leash Take outside Put shampoo on dog Rinse the shampoo off the dog Scrub the dog Dry the dog Some dogs are nervous so should be tied down Give it a treat

7. Elements of Process Writing 1) a “process” topic sentence 2) steps, cycles, or stages 3) chronological words and phrases 3a) time clauses 4) imperative verb tense 5) modals of suggestion or necessity 6) passive voice “time” or “sequence” organization “process “organization academic organization grammar

8. Element #1 – The Topic Sentence for Process Writing #1 (using an infinitive + topic as object) #2 (using a gerund + topic as subject) It is + adjectiveInfinitive + topicDependent clause of condition It is easyto make scrambled eggswhen you follow this recipe. It isn’t difficultto make a bookcaseif you follow these steps. It is simpleto get an Awhen you follow this procedure. Gerund + topic“is” + adjectiveDependent clause of condition Making scrambled eggsis easywhen you follow this recipe. Making a bookcaseisn’t difficultif you follow these steps. Getting an Ais simplewhen you follow this procedure.

9. Wash a dog… It is easy to wash a dog if you follow these steps. Washing a dog is easy if you follow these steps.

10. Practice Raise you hands to make a “process” topic sentence Make a cake (infinitive) Play dominoes (gerund) Change a tire on a car (gerund) Dance the samba (infinitive) Make new friends in Portland Lose ten pounds in one week It’s easy to make a cake if you follow this recipe. Playing dominoes is easy when you follow these steps. Changing a tire on a car is easy when you follow these steps. It’s easy to dance the samba if you follow these directions. Making new friends in Portland isn’t difficult if you follow these steps. It’s easy to lose ten pounds in one week if you follow this procedure.

11. Element #2 – The steps, cycles, or stages First, a “process” topic must be divided into steps, cycles, or stages. Stages and/or cycles – biological, evolutional, chemical, or meteorological topics, such as how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly or the rain cycle. Steps – directions and/or instructions, such as how to wash a dog or how to bake a cake.

12. Wash a dog… Get it wet Brush its hair Get shampoo Wash well (don’t forget under the legs or near the tail) Clip nails Put on collar and leash Take outside Put shampoo on dog Rinse the shampoo off the dog Scrub the dog Dry the dog Some dogs are nervous and should be tied down Give it a treat Don’t get soap in its eyes 2 nd - put remaining steps in order 1 st – cross out off-topic steps ----------------- ------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------- ----------------- Remember, some steps have more than one action in them! (before) 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4

13. Make an outline… 0. buy dog shampoo at pet store 1. Take the dog outside * use collar & leash * help to keep house clean 2.get it wet & wash with shampoo * start w/ head & end w/ tail * scrub hard & extra at feet & tail 3.rinse it * careful not to get soap in its eyes * be sure to rinse all soap out 4.dry it * use towels or let it shake itself off

14. Element #3 – Chronological words/phrases (time clauses) Very important! These words help the reader to follow your organization by signaling time order (chronological) information. There are two main ways to show your reader the correct time order:

15. #1 – Time words/phrases Comma First, Second, Third, etc. Next, After that, Before/After + noun, Finally, No comma The first step is The second step is The next step is Then The final (last) step is

16. #2 – Time clauses Often used when the previous step involved several sentences of instruction. This is because the dependent clause shows a summary of the previous step ( “After the ingredients are mixed well, …” ). “While” complex sentences are often used to show two steps taken concurrently or at the same time ( “While the cake is baking, …” ).

17. Wash a dog… 0. Before you begin, Buy dog shampoo at pet store 1. The first step is to take it outside * use collar & leash * help to keep house clean 2.Next, get it wet & (when …) wash with shampoo * start w/ head and end w/ tail * While scrub hard & extra at feet & tail 3.After the dog is completely washed, rinse it * careful not to get soap in its eyes * be sure to rinse all soap out 4.The last step is to dry it * use towels or let it shake itself off Be sure to use a variety of time signals

18. Element #4 – Imperative verbs Aka “command” verbs Commonly used by parents to their children “Go to bed.” “Eat your vegetables.” “Stop that!” Often used in the step sentences themselves

19. Wash a dog… 0. Before you begin, buy dog shampoo at a pet store 1. The first step is to take take it outside * use collar & leash *help to keep house clean 2.Next, get it wet & (when …) wash with shampoo * start w/ head and end w/ tail * scrub hard & extra at feet & tail 3.After the dog is completely washed, rinse it * careful not to get soap in its eyes * be sure to rinse all soap out 4.The last step is to dry the dog. To dry it * use towels or let it shake itself off imperative

20. Element #5 – Modal verbs of advice, necessity, possibility, or prediction Can, might, should, have to, don’t have to, must, will Often used in the detail sentences that support the steps by giving more information.

21. Wash a dog… 0. Before you begin, buy dog shampoo at pet store 1. The first step is to take it outside * should use a collar and leash * will help to keep house clean 2.Next, get it wet & (when …) wash with shampoo * should start w/ head and end w/ tail * have to scrub hard & extra at feet & tail 3.After the dog is completely washed, rinse it * must be careful not to get soap in its eyes * should be sure to rinse all soap out 4.The last step is to dry the dog. * can use towels or let it shake itself off advice prediction advice necessity advice possibility

22. Element #6 – Passive voice Used to shift attention to the thing that receives the action of the verb. (active) The mouse ate yesterday. (The subject of the sentence (mouse) is also what “ate”, and the reader CAN say WHO ate the cheese.) (passive) The cheese was eaten yesterday. (The subject of the sentence (cheese) is NOT what “ate”, and the reader CANNOT say WHO ate the cheese.)

23. Why use passive voice? Passive voice is sometimes used when the person who does the action of the verb is not important. For this reason, it is often found in instructions and directions since these types of communication are meant to be done by any person. You see this form of verb all the time, and now you will be able to recognize it! The dog should be washed all over. (It doesn’t matter who washes the dog.) The soap can be bought at a pet store. (It doesn’t matter who buys the soap.) is used is found are meant

24. Wash a dog… 0. Before you begin, buy dog shampoo at pet store 1. The first step is to take it outside * should use a collar and leash * will keep house clean 2. Next, get it wet & (when …) wash with shampoo (how?) * should start w/ head and end w/ tail * have to scrub hard & extra at feet & tail 3.After the dog is completely washed, rinse it * must be careful not to get soap in its eyes * should be sure to rinse all soap out 4.The last step is to dry the dog. * can use towels or let it shake itself off A collar and leash should be used The house will be kept clean All soap should be rinsed off (say why)

25. The concluding sentence Should always start with a concluding transition Can (1) restate the topic sentence, (2) give a brief summary of the info, (3) state an opinion, (4) make a prediction, or (5) make a humorous (funny) suggestion As you can see,In conclusion,In sum,Thus,

26. Wash a dog… restatementAs you can see, washing a dog is not so hard to do if you follow these simple and logical steps. summaryIn sum, after washing, rinsing, and drying your dog, you will then be ready for a game of fetch with your clean, happy pet. Restatement + opinion In conclusion, this process is the easiest and best way to wash a dog. Restatement + prediction Thus, you will keep your pet clean and happy when you remember these easy steps. Restatement + humorous suggestion As you can see, washing a dog is easy, but it’s even easier when you get your brother or sister to do it!

27. Put it all together… Process topic sentence (with words “easy”, “follow these steps” Process body sentences (step sentences with imperative verbs and detail sentences with modal verbs) Clear time order words and phrases (for steps and conclusion) Concluding sentence that restates or summarizes the topic

28. Washing a Dog Washing a dog is easy if you follow these steps. Before you begin, you should buy special dog shampoo. You can find this shampoo at any pet store. The first step is to take the dog outside. The house will remain cleaner if a collar and leash is used to take the animal outside. Next, get the dog wet. You should start with its head and end at the tail. When the dog is totally wet, rub in the shampoo. You can repeat the head to tail directions, and you have to scrub hard, especially around the feet and tail. You want to be sure to get all the dirt out. After the dog is completely washed, rinse it with clear water. You must be careful not to get the soapy water in its eyes, and all of the soap should be rinsed away. If you don’t rinse all of the soap out, the dog might get a rash. The last step is to dry the dog. You can use towels to help dry it, or you can let it shake itself dry. Either way, it is important to dry the dog before you let it back into the house. As you can see, washing a dog is easy, but it’s even easier when you get your brother or sister to do it!