How to Write a Process Paper

Free write about your ideas to craft a good process paper.

A process paper is a form of expository writing. You write a process paper to explain an idea, give directions on how to do something, compare two things or give directions to get somewhere. A process paper gives the reader a logical pathway to follow.

Instructions

1. Choose a topic for your process paper. Make a list of ideas for how to do a specific thing. This can be as simple as how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or as complex as how to put a new engine in a Honda.

2. Do your research. To explain a process, you must first engage in standard prewriting activity. You can observe a process being performed or do your research through reading. Take careful notes as you are reading or observing.

3. Free associate about your ideas in written form. Consider which idea suits your purpose and your audience. The peanut butter paper might be more suitable for an in-class middle-school assignment than the new engine idea.

4. Use chronological order. This is also called time order. The process paper shows steps in a logical time order. Each step in the process is explained in detail from what happened first to last.

5. Use transitional words or phrases to move from one step to another. Examples of transitions to use are first, second, next, last and finally.

6. Revise your paper. Change the order of the steps if they don't flow logically. Check that you have included enough details to support each step.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your spelling. Be precise and succinct and use simple language.

• End your paper with tips and warnings.

• Get rid of any steps that are unnecessary.

• Don't confuse your reader with inflated language and obscure words.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Go With The Flow: Use Transition Words and Phrases
• Transitions that Show Time and Sequence