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How to Write a Process Essay

Last Updated: December 6, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 169,209 times.

A process essay, otherwise known as a how-to essay, tells a reader how to perform a particular task. The best process essays follow a clear step-by-step organization. Start by providing your reader with a time estimate and general summary of the task. Then, move on to a more detailed explanation of each and every necessary step. When you are finished with your essay, read it over carefully to ensure that you haven’t left anything out.

Getting Ready to Write

Step 1 Assess your audience’s skill level.

  • 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.

Step 2 Make a list of the materials needed.

  • You could also include a comprehensive “Things You’ll Need” section at the beginning of the paper. Or list the materials needed after the introduction.
  • If an item on the list is a bit unusual, such as a particular type of hand tool, then make sure to clearly introduce it within the text. For example, “The pin hammer has a finer tip than a standard hammer, making it suitable for more detailed work.” You can also include a picture of the item, particularly if the essay will be published online.

Step 3 Create an outline of the task.

  • If you are writing an essay about how to cook lasagna, your initial outline might just state, “Mix in basil.” Before you start writing, you could expand your outline to say, “Briefly mention taste differences between dried and fresh basil.”
  • Note that the more specific your article or essay topic, the more specific your details needs to be.

Crafting an Introduction

Step 1 Grab your reader’s attention within the first 1-2 sentences.

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

Step 2 Provide a general time estimate.

  • If your process essay focuses on a cooking task, this is where you might advise your readers to consult the ingredients or materials list and put every item on the counter.
  • For example, you might write, “This recipe requires 30 minutes of active preparation time, along with 45 minutes of baking time.”

Step 3 Present the thesis statement as a problem.

  • For example, your thesis might be, “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.”

Writing Your Body Paragraphs

Step 1 Consult your outline.

  • Be especially careful with items that contain multiple steps. Make the transitions clear and acknowledge prior steps regarding a particular item, if applicable.

Step 2 Structure the body of the essay in paragraphs.

  • For instance, when making pasta, consider writing a paragraph on how to boil pasta and another paragraph on how to make the sauce. This separates the ideas for easy clarification.

Step 3 Add transitions in between steps.

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

Step 4 Avoid using first person pronouns.

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

Step 5 Mention any cautionary notes.

  • 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 a foodborne illness.

Wrapping It Up

Step 1 Mention the end product and what to do with it.

  • In the case of the recipe, you could write something like, “You now have a bowl of boiled pasta and finished Bolognese sauce. Serve up plates of pasta and sauce to your family, topping them with parmesan, if desired. You can serve garlic bread or a side salad with this dish, too.”

Step 2 Restate the importance of the task.

  • A simple example for our newly-made dinner might be, "And there you have it! A delicious yet quick meal fit for the entire family that you can make over and over again without complaint. Next time, experiment with different herbs and spices to find your own spin on this classic dish."

Step 3 Check your essay for ease of reading.

  • Look to see if there are places where you can eliminate steps or condense your instructions. A reader is more likely to finish directions that they can easily skim through.
  • Ask someone to read through the essay to see if they can understand the process. If possible, pick someone from your intended audience demographic.

Step 4 Proofread your essay.

  • Don’t rely on spell-check alone, as it cannot account for context and doesn’t catch every error.

Expert Q&A

Jake Adams

  • If there are alternative ways to do a particular step in the process, make sure to mention these as you go along. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

process essay worksheet

  • Give your readers pacing instructions as well. If they need to go slowly while performing a certain task, tell them early on. The same rule applies if a task requires speed for success. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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Write an Essay

  • ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
  • ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/essay-outline/
  • ↑ https://www.georgebrown.ca/sites/default/files/uploadedfiles/tlc/_documents/hooks_and_attention_grabbers.pdf
  • ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-clinton-englishcomp/chapter/2-the-process-essay/
  • ↑ http://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/procress_paper.html
  • ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/readability-scores/

About This Article

Jake Adams

To write a process essay, begin by writing an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention so they’ll want to keep reading. Then, end the first paragraph with a thesis statement presenting a problem for which you are offering a solution. Next, explain the process, making each step its own paragraph, and using transitions like "next" or "then" to move from one task to another. As the final step, let the reader know what to expect from the finished product and what to do with it. Finally, close your essay by reiterating why the process is helpful to the reader. For tips from our Education reviewer on how to proofread for common errors in a process essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to write a process essay

Picture of Duygu Demiröz

  • 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.

Picture of Duygu Demiröz

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Garinger S Togba

I’m still struggling with the chronological versus sequence. When a student summarizes a short story (in this case a fairy tale), is that summary chronological because the events happen in order from beginning to end? Or is it sequence?

As I define it, and other people use these terms differently, events that occur chronologically occur at a specific time. Whereas sequences or processes can occur at anytime. This is the difference between telling my friend about my trip to the mall (occurred at a specific time and is organized chronologically) and telling my friend how to get to the mall (could occur at anytime and is organized sequentially). I hope that this helps!

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  • 24 Writing Process Essays

Writing Process Essays

Start-Up Activity

Point out that the process essay is a very important form of real-world writing. Then share and discuss different texts that explain processes—chapters in this handbook, recipes, game tutorials, assembly instructions, and so on. Process writing helps us teach others how to do something important or how a key set of events works.

Think About It

“Don’t explain why it works; explain how to use it.”

—Steven Brust

Thinking About a Process

Prepare students for how-to or process writing.

process essay worksheet

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.2
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.5
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.A
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.B
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.5
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.A
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.B
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.D
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.D
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.4
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.5
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.7
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.8
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.9
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.4
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.7
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.8
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.9
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.C
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.E
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.C
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2.E
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.6
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.3
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.6
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.2
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.3

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

Lafs.4.ri.1.1, lafs.4.ri.1.2, lafs.4.ri.2.5, lafs.4.w.1.2, lafs.5.ri.1.1, lafs.5.ri.1.2, lafs.5.ri.2.5, lafs.5.w.1.2, lafs.4.w.2.4, lafs.4.w.2.5, lafs.4.w.3.7, lafs.4.w.3.8, lafs.4.w.3.9, lafs.5.w.2.4, lafs.5.w.2.5, lafs.5.w.3.7, lafs.5.w.3.8, lafs.5.w.3.9, lafs.4.w.2.6, lafs.4.l.1.1, lafs.4.l.1.2, lafs.4.l.2.3, lafs.5.w.2.6, lafs.5.l.1.1, lafs.5.l.1.2, lafs.5.l.2.3, teks covered in this chapter, 110.6.b.9.d, 110.6.b.9.d.i, 110.6.b.9.d.iii, 110.6.b.11.b, 110.6.b.12.b, 110.6.b.11.b.i, 110.6.b.11.b.ii, 110.7.b.9.d, 110.7.b.7.d, 110.7.b.9.d.iii, 110.7.b.12.b, 110.7.b.11.a, 110.7.b.11.b.i, 110.7.b.11.b.ii, 110.6.b.11.a, 110.6.b.11.c, 110.6.b.11.d, 110.6.b.13.c, 110.6.b.13.d, 110.6.b.13.e, 110.7.b.11.c, 110.7.b.11.d, 110.7.b.13.b, 110.7.b.13.c, 110.7.b.13.d, 110.6.b.11.e, 110.6.b.1.c, 110.6.b.11.d.ix, 110.6.b.11.d.x, 110.6.b.11.d.xi, 110.7.b.11.e, 110.7.b.1.c, page 174 from writers express, sample process essay.

Have student volunteers read each paragraph of the essay. Then review the essay as a whole, pointing out the information in the side notes. Notice how the focus statement names the process the writer will explain, and each middle paragraph covers a step in the process.

If some of your students might find a full essay to be challenging, you can share this brief model: " How to Make Boiled Eggs ."

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Page 175 from Writers Express

Sample Process Essay (Continued)

Point to some of the specific examples and details in the middle paragraphs of the essay. Also show your students how the ending invites readers to think further about the process.

Page 176 from Writers Express

Writing a process essay.

To help your students find topics for their process essays, have them list things that they know how to do well and that they could explain to someone else. If students struggle to come up with topic ideas, use the "Tip" in the middle of the page. You can also direct students toward other how-to writing topics .

Then help your students decide which of these ideas would work best for their process essays.

Provide time for students to do a little research into the process so that they have plenty of details.

Page 177 from Writers Express

Prewriting: organizing your details.

Teach the two organizing strategies on this page: numbered lists and time lines. Both put events in time order. If students create a time line, to the left of the line, they can write times or possible time-order transitions to help them organize their thinking.

You can extend students' learning with the minilessons.

Sequencing with a Time Line

Use time lines for critical thinking.

Marie Curie Time Line

Using Time-Order Transitions

Teach about chronological transitions.

illustration of a clock character holding a pencil

Page 178 from Writers Express

Make an Outline

If a numbered list or time line isn't quite rigorous enough for your students, you could have them make an outline. Walk them through the example outline on this page.

Page 179 from Writers Express

Developing the first draft.

Use this page to show your students what each part of their essays should do: beginning, middle, and ending. Also, equip them with the time-order transitions in the green box to help them connect their paragraphs and their sentences.

Page 180 from Writers Express

Revising and editing.

Use this page to inspire your students to elaborate their ideas. Present the material at the top of the page and challenge students to find additional details of different kinds. Have your students add some details that improve the ideas in their writing.

To help your students improve their work, download and distribute the process essay revising and editing checklist.

File

  • 01 A Basic Writing Guide
  • 02 Understanding the Writing Process
  • 03 One Writer's Process
  • 04 Qualities of Writing
  • 05 Selecting and Collecting
  • 06 Focusing and Organizing
  • 07 Writing and Revising
  • 09 Publishing
  • 10 Writing Basic Sentences
  • 11 Combining Sentences
  • 12 Writing Paragraphs
  • 13 Understanding Writing Terms and Techniques
  • 14 Understanding Text Structures
  • 15 Writing in Journals
  • 16 Using Learning Logs
  • 17 Writing Emails and Blogs
  • 18 Writing Personal Narratives
  • 19 Writing Fantasies
  • 20 Writing Realistic Stories
  • 21 Writing Stories from History
  • 22 Responding to Narrative Prompts
  • 23 Writing Explanatory Essays
  • 25 Writing Comparison-Contrast Essays
  • 26 Responding to Explanatory Prompts
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  • 28 Writing Persuasive Letters
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  • 30 Responding to Persuasive Prompts
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  • 36 Writing Summaries
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  • 39 Communicating Online
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  • 42 Reading Strategies for Fiction
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  • 44 Reading Graphics
  • 45 Building Vocabulary Skills
  • 46 Becoming a Better Speller
  • 47 Giving Speeches
  • 48 Improving Viewing Skills
  • 49 Improving Listening Skills
  • 50 Using Graphic Organizers
  • 51 Thinking and Writing
  • 52 Thinking Clearly
  • 53 Thinking Creatively
  • 54 Completing Assignments
  • 55 Working in Groups
  • 56 Taking Tests
  • 57 Taking Good Notes
  • 58 Marking Punctuation
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  • 60 Check Your Spelling
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  • 62 Understanding Sentences
  • 63 Understanding Our Language
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Process Analysis: How to Write a Process Analysis Essay

process essay worksheet

Writing a process analysis essay sounds like a problematic task to do, but in reality, it’s just another writing assignment. In this article, our college essay writing service will explain how to write a process analysis essay, list some process analysis essay topics and give you useful writing tips and examples. But first things first — let’s start with a process analysis definition.

What Is a Process Analysis Essay

Before jumping to the How To section, let’s answer the question of what is process analysis. Process analysis is an essay which explains how something is done, how something occurs, or how something works. In this type of essay, the writer is required to present the steps of the process in sequential order, from first to last. All concepts or terms that might appear uncommon are defined.

For Example: When writing a process analysis essay about becoming a better person, you count and describe some actions — from small to bigger ones — like lifting peoples’ self esteem around you when you were young, to becoming a motivational speaker when you’re older.

Sometimes, your professor will assign you a process analysis topic. And sometimes, you will have to pick a topic by yourself.

You should also read the article on discursive essay format . It will help expand your understanding in writing any type of paper.

Stuck on the Steps of Process Analysis?

Journey through your essay with ease. Our expert guides are ready to help you analyze every step of the way!

Process Analysis Essay Structure

Process essays may be divided into two categories: informative and directive. A directive process analysis gives instructions on how to accomplish a certain goal (for example, how to prepare the best waffles). An informational process analysis essay describes a topic to the reader (for example, how an aircraft engine functions). A process essay may be written in three easy steps:

  • Split the task

The workflow should be broken down into simple, well-defined phases that generally maintain a temporal sequence and have a clear objective. You can better arrange the document with a process paper outline.

  • Make smooth transitions

A process analysis essay remains more engaging when you use transitional terms—the audience benefits from phrases like - therefore, subsequently, afterward, etc.

  • Study the essay thoroughly

Inspect any potential gaps, such as missing ingredients from a recipe, by going through the process essay point by point.

Process Analysis Essay Examples

Referring to an example can save you time. Our free samples can provide insight into what a process analysis essay should look like.

How to Pick a Process Analysis Essay Topic

Imagine you need to describe something in steps: what would they be? Don’t rush with making a final decision and try to rationalize your choice by following our recommendations:

process essay worksheet

  • Pick a topic you have a good understanding of.
  • Choose a theme that will involve the readers.
  • Focus your topic on a specific thing.
  • Make sure you can explain your topic without pictures. Focus on words.
  • Ensure that the topic is helpful and has practical worth.
  • Your topic must be relevant. If you decided to write about using a pager, we suggest you rethink your idea.

It’s okay if you don’t have a lot of process analysis essay topics in mind; just focus on the writing process and pick one of the ones we’ve prepared for you below.

Check out our ARTICLE TO FIND MORE ESSAY TOPIC IDEAS

Writing a Process Analysis Essay Step-By-Step

Process analysis essay structure is as follows:

process essay worksheet

Let's overview that structure in more details:

  • The introductory part should explain the actual process and why it’s relevant or necessary. Avoid any unnecessary information such as the background, history or origin. If for instance, a recipe needs tomato sauce, the reader should be informed so. In other words, go directly to the issue and provide only the necessary information.
  • The next paragraph should present a list of all the equipment, tools or resources necessary for the particular process. For instance, if some ingredients cannot be found in the locality, explain where you can find it, or them. Potential risks or side effects that are likely to occur in the process should be stated so that the reader remains informed. Furthermore, it is essential to inform the reader about what might go wrong and what can be done to avoid potential mistakes.
  • Then, outline the process in sequential order. If the process requires some steps to be undertaken at particular stages, these should be stated and explained clearly, at relevant points in the sequence. The writer should be very keen to avoid confusion. For processes that appear complicated, the steps should be subdivided accordingly. Additionally, the writer needs to vary their use of transitional words such as “after”, “then”, “next” to make sure the essay does not become repetitive.
  • The final part should present a general review of the whole process so the writer can reinforce the main points succinctly, without details.

You can also read the essay example from our essay writer . If you still need help, contact us and we will do everything in the best way.

Process Analysis Essay Outline

The structure for this type of analysis essay outline is as follows:

Introduction:

  • Introduce your topic and briefly outline what the process will achieve.
  • Demonstrate where this process is relevant or when it is useful.
  • It’s a good idea to offer a real-world example of the outcome of the procedure.
  • The processes should be presented in paragraphs.
  • Perform each step in its section.
  • Appropriate transitions should be employed for each step.
  • Be descriptive in your presentation.

Conclusion:

  • In your conclusion, summarize the procedure. You don’t have to repeat all the individual steps, but you need to reinforce the main points and milestones.
  • Describe the expected result.

Writing Tips

  • Appropriate Use of Language and Vocabulary Making good use of vocabulary and technical terms can often make or break an assignment. This impacts the degree of depth and clarity the reader can get out of it. Thus, if your audience is meant to be doing the procedures while reading, the steps should be simple and to the point.
  • Give the Reader a Sense of Direction When including comments in your essay that are tailored to give a sense of direction, like “once that’s done” or “wait until”, it’s best to do so where relevant. Try to avoid over-complicating the steps, while keeping everything clear and concise.
  • Use Chronological Progression For example, if it’s a cooking recipe, it should always include the steps in sequential order, while also indicating how much of each ingredient to add. Additional information like cooking techniques can be added at the end—to be as detailed as necessary.

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Annie Lambert

specializes in creating authoritative content on marketing, business, and finance, with a versatile ability to handle any essay type and dissertations. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a passion for social issues, her writing not only educates but also inspires action. On EssayPro blog, Annie delivers detailed guides and thought-provoking discussions on pressing economic and social topics. When not writing, she’s a guest speaker at various business seminars.

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is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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Essay writing is a scholarly piece of writing giving the author's own argument. Essays methodically analyze and evaluate a topic or issue. They are designed to give one's academic opinion on subject matter. The author is able to give their own argument through their writing. Writing academically means creating a coherent set of ideas into an argument. Most students use essay writing templates in the early grade levels to structure their writing. A thesis statement is often a part of good essays that center around its statement or argument. Students often are challenged to write multi-paragraph essays that deal with complex topics or issues. Our essay writing worksheets below give good practice with different types of essay writing. The given essay writing worksheets give good practice for school or for home.

Our Essay Writing Worksheets are free to download and easy to access in PDF format. Learn more about essay writing by practicing with our free Essay Writing Worksheets below. Click here for a of all Essay Writing Worksheets.


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This writing process worksheet gives a clear step by step breakdown of the writing process. Often, students struggle with writing good essays because they refuse to use the writing process. Students often wish to write their essay before conducting any pre-writing work.

This writing process worksheet assists the student in writing a four paragraph essay using the given writing template. Often, students struggle with essay structure. They get confused when writing and essay. They don't understand when to start and end a paragraph.

This writing process worksheet assists the student in writing a four paragraph essay using the given writing template. Very often, students have difficulty with essay structure. They get confused when writing and essay. They don't understand when to start and end a paragraph.

This writing process worksheet helps the student write a five paragraph essay. The five paragraph essay is one of the most common forms of essays in the English language. The five paragraph essay consists of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.

This writing process worksheet helps the student in writing a five paragraph essay using the given writing template. Very often, students have difficulty with essay structure. They get confused when writing and essay. They don't understand when to start and end a paragraph.

This argumentative essay writing worksheet directs the student to write a four paragraph essay that looks at both sides of an argument. The outline provides an introducation, two body paragraphs, and conclusion. The first body paragraph has the student give his or her stand on the argumentative writing prompt.

This narrative essay writing worksheet provides an opportunity for a student to write a story. Within every narrative, there must be a beginning, middle and end. This narrative writing template provides basic rules and guidelines for writing a narrative essay. This narrative outline requires the student to include a plot, setting, theme, dialogue, conflict, and cause and effect.

This tree map essay writing worksheet directs the student to fill in each part of the tree map to outline their five paragraph essay. The tree map functions as a type of graphic organizer where the student will visually see where the five paragraphs of an essay should be.

This essay writing worksheet guides the student in writing with correct essay format. Often, students are confused as to how to structure their essay. This essay paragraph writing template gives a guide for each sentence of an essay. Every sentence of an essay is important, so this essay template serves as guide for students to follow when writing their essay.

 
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How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

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Table of contents

Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic  and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

  • Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
  • Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
  • Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

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Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

  • Thesis statement
  • First piece of evidence
  • Second piece of evidence
  • Summary/synthesis
  • Importance of topic
  • Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

  • Importance of the internet
  • Concerns about internet use
  • Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
  • Data exploring this effect
  • Analysis indicating it is overstated
  • Students’ reading levels over time
  • Why this data is questionable
  • Video media
  • Interactive media
  • Speed and simplicity of online research
  • Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
  • Evidence indicating its ubiquity
  • Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
  • Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
  • Argument that it introduces students to citation
  • Summary of key points
  • Value of digital education for students
  • Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

  • Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
  • Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
  • Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
  • Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
  • Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
  • Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
  • Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
  • Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
  • Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
  • Link to the Reformation.
  • Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
  • Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
  • Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
  • Summarize the history described.
  • Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

  • Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
  • Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
  • Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
  • Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
  • Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
  • Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
  • Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
  • Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
  • Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
  • Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
  • Answer the research question
  • Indicate areas for further study

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

  • Ad hominem fallacy
  • Post hoc fallacy
  • Appeal to authority fallacy
  • False cause fallacy
  • Sunk cost fallacy

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process essay worksheet

You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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Parts of process essay

Free Printable Writing Process Worksheets for 6th Grade

Writing Process: Discover a vast collection of free printable Reading & Writing worksheets tailored for Grade 6 students! Enhance your teaching experience with our resources from Quizizz.

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Writing Process - Printable Writing-process Worksheets Grade 6 - Quizizz

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Writing Process worksheets for Grade 6 are an essential tool for teachers who aim to enhance their students' reading and writing skills. These worksheets are specifically designed to cater to the unique learning needs of sixth-grade students, focusing on various aspects of the writing process, such as brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. By incorporating these worksheets into their lesson plans, teachers can provide a structured and engaging approach to teaching writing. Moreover, these worksheets can be easily adapted to suit different learning styles and preferences, ensuring that every student gets the support they need to excel in their reading and writing abilities. As a result, Writing Process worksheets for Grade 6 have become an indispensable resource for educators looking to improve their students' literacy skills.

Quizizz, a popular online platform for creating and sharing quizzes, offers a wide range of resources, including Writing Process worksheets for Grade 6. Teachers can easily access and customize these worksheets, as well as explore other offerings such as interactive quizzes, flashcards, and games that can be used to supplement their reading and writing lessons. By incorporating Quizizz into their teaching strategies, educators can provide a more engaging and interactive learning experience for their students, while also tracking their progress and performance through the platform's analytics features. Furthermore, Quizizz's collaborative nature allows teachers to share resources and ideas with their peers, fostering a supportive community of educators who are dedicated to enhancing the reading and writing skills of their Grade 6 students.

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Printable 5th Grade Writing Process Worksheets

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  1. 5 Step Writing Process Worksheet

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  2. Essay Writing Template Interactive Worksheet

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  3. Process Essay Worksheet and Rubric by Maria Jordan

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  4. 12 Writing Process Worksheets

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  6. How To Write An Essay Worksheet by LoveELA

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  1. How to Write a Process Essay: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

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  2. PDF Writing Handout E-4: Process Analysis Essay Guidelines

    Process Analysis Essay Guidelines Structuring a Process Analysis Essay process essay describes a series of steps or events. A coherent es o something) and informational (how something works). A directional essay provides directions to a ieve a particular result (how to cook perfect grits). An informational essay expla he e are three basic

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  4. Sequence

    Sequence Sequential order, or process writing as it is sometimes called, is when information in a passage is organized by the order in which it occurs. This method of organizing text is generally used for instructions or directions, but it can also be used to explain processes in nature or society, such as how a president is elected.

  5. Writing Practice Worksheets

    Each worksheet is colorful, has examples, and space for students to write their responses. On these worksheets, students learn to improve their writing by finishing the story, responding to questions, writing in practical situations, arguing a position, and writing ly and creatively.The writing process first evolved from economic necessity in ...

  6. 24 Writing Process Essays

    Start-Up Activity Point out that the process essay is a very important form of real-world writing. Then share and discuss different texts that explain processes—chapters in this handbook, recipes, game tutorials, assembly instructions, and so on. Process writing helps us teach others how to do something important or how a key set of events works.

  7. Process essay interactive worksheet

    Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

  8. The Writing Process EAP Worksheets

    The writing process worksheets to help teach students how to analyze essay questions, generate and organize ideas, outline, draft, revise and edit.

  9. Process Essay Worksheet by diane kampf

    Instructions on how to write a process (How to..) essay and a scoring rubric.

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    Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

  11. PDF Parts of an essay worksheet

    Introduction In this parts of an essay worksheet, students learn about the various parts that make up an academic essay and practice writing a structured, logical, and cohesive essay.

  12. Writing Process Worksheets Teaching Resources

    This "How To Wrap a Present" worksheet is great when introducing students of any age to the idea of writing either a process analysis essay or paragraph or an informative essay or paragraph.

  13. Process Analysis Essay: Topics, Outline and Examples

    Table of Contents Writing a process analysis essay sounds like a problematic task to do, but in reality, it's just another writing assignment. In this article, our college essay writing service will explain how to write a process analysis essay, list some process analysis essay topics and give you useful writing tips and examples. But first things first — let's start with a process ...

  14. PDF Peer Review Sheet 5: Writing Process Analysis Essay

    As a reader, do you have sufficient detail to understand the writer's process in composing each essay? Has the writer provided effective examples of each element of the writing process for each essay?

  15. Mastering Essay Structure: Tips & Exercises for College Writers

    2 STEP THREE: Traditional Structure Activity Now, you can combine the work you have done so far to create a plan for the essay's structure. Activity 1 : Review the Essay Structure resource. Using your thesis as a guide, develop three topic sentences that would develop your ideas and serve as the roadmap for creating the essay. Example: Thesis Sentence (assertion): The 21st century workforce ...

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  17. Printable Writing Process Worksheets

    This worksheet template guides children through the pre-writing and writing process, helping them to organize their thoughts before they write. With an emphasis on grammar, mechanics, and style, this checklist is a great way to help writers hone their editing skills and gain familiarity with the writing process.

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    This writing process worksheet assists the student in writing a four paragraph essay using the given writing template. Often, students struggle with essay structure.

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  20. How to Write an Essay Outline

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  21. Parts of process essay worksheet

    Parts of process essay Parts of process essay. Amreensyeda Member for 2 years 5 months Age: 18+ Level: 1. Language: English ... Interactive Worksheets For Students & Teachers of all Languages and Subjects. Worksheets. Worksheets; Make Interactive Worksheets; Browse Worksheets; Wookbooks. Workbooks; Learn.

  22. Free Printable Writing Process Worksheets for 6th Grade

    These worksheets are specifically designed to cater to the unique learning needs of sixth-grade students, focusing on various aspects of the writing process, such as brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. By incorporating these worksheets into their lesson plans, teachers can provide a structured and engaging approach to ...

  23. Printable 5th Grade Writing Process Worksheets

    Browse Printable 5th Grade Writing Process Worksheets. Award winning educational materials designed to help kids succeed. Start for free now!