Process Paragraph Writing
When you tell someone how to do something in chronological order or in logical steps, you are
telling someone how to complete a process. Writing the process can be completed in one well
developed paragraph. There are two kinds of process paragraphs: directional and informational.
A directional process paragraph explains the directions to perform a task. It provides the reader a
set of instructions or a step-by-step guidance. An informational process paragraph explains how
something works or how something worked in the past. Its purpose is purely to provide
information. Such writing could be found easily in history books. For instance, if you described
how Major General Muhammad Ataul Goni Osmani planned his battle strategy, this would be
informational process writing.
Run Through of the Steps
The three main steps in writing a process paragraph are as follows: write a topic sentence, write
the body that includes the steps to complete the process, and write a conclusion. The process
paragraph should be six or more sentences.
Examples of process paragraphs
1. How to stay organized in English Classes
2. How to organize your locker or notebook
3. How to live on a tight budget
4. Ways to make breaking up easier
5. How to be a Good Friend
Step 1) Write a Solid Topic Sentence
The topic sentence should be first and tell what you will be explaining or what directions you
will give. It should tell your topic, tell the process that will be explained in the paragraph and
make a point.
Don’t write: “This is how you keep a tight budget”
Write: “In order to keep a tight budget, you have to find a new job, keep a record of your money
and take care with your free time”
Step 2) Body or Detail Sentences
The body of the process paragraph is all about the steps. They are generally given in time order.
Before writing the body of the paragraph, it is helpful to make a numbered list of all the steps
that need to be followed. Then write the body. Make sure to use transitional words such as ‘first’,
‘second’, ‘next’, ‘after that’, ‘then’, ‘finally’ for good flow of ideas.
Transitional Expressions:
Beginning a Process (at) first, initially, begin by
Continuing the Process second, third step, until, after (ward), then, next later, before, when,
while, as soon as, as, upon, during, meanwhile
Ending a Process finally, at last
Step 3) Conclusion
End the paragraph with a concluding sentence. It should restate the topic and wrap up the
paragraph. Once you have written your first draft, make sure to check that the whole paragraph
flows smoothly and check for any grammar mistakes. Then, write a final copy.
Ways to make Breaking up Easier
(Directional)
Breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend can be easier said than done, but here are five steps
that may help the breaking up process. First try to distance yourself by suddenly becoming
busier than usual. The next step is to calmly tell the other person that how you are feeling. Then
gently let him or her know that you do not want to be together anymore. Then make sure to be
sensitive of his or her feelings and answer any questions that he or she may have. For example, if
the person starts to cry, use kind words to help comfort him or her. After everything is said and
done, take some alone time for yourself because everyone has feelings to sort out after a break
up. Finally, go out with friends and meet new people. With these five steps it will make the
breaking up process smooth for both parties.
The Use of Literary works in Second/Foreign Language Teaching
(Informational)
The use of literary works in the second/foreign language curriculum varies greatly depending on
the method dominating the practice. First, literary works were notable sources of material when
the Grammar Translation Method dominated until the end of the 19 th century. But they were
absent from the curriculum until 1970s when the Grammar Translation Method was successively
replaced by Structuralism Approach, Direct Method, Audio-lingual Method, Community
Language Learning, the Silent Way, Total Physical Response, and the Natural Approach because
these methods tend to regard a second and foreign language teaching as a matter of linguistics.
They emphasize more on structures and vocabulary. Then literary works became even more
divorced from language teaching with the advent of the communicative approach which focuses
on the teaching of “usable, practical” contents for enabling students to communicate orally. In
this period the second and foreign language classrooms were dominated by dialogues. However,
the situation changed quite radically since the 1980s when literature has found its way back into
the teaching of second and foreign language though not in the way it was used with the Grammar
Translation Method. Afterward, literature undergoes an extensive reconsideration within the
language teaching profession. In short, the use of literature, the way it had been there at the time
of Grammar Translation Method, has come back in ELT once again.
Topic Sentence: Red, Supporting Sentences: Green, Concluding Sentence: Blue
Transitional Words: Italicized
