Write a process essay. Each of the body paragraphs in your essay should be six to eight sentences long. Do not be afraid to take a humorous approach to your subject, but do not force it if that is not natural for you. Sometimes, humour can make instructions much more interesting and memorable. Include simple diagrams and drawings if they are useful and appropriate. Use the guidelines below to check your work.

Suggested Topics

• How to move out on your own
• How to bathe a reluctant pet
• How to save money on your wedding
• How to cope with unemployment
• How to cope with serious illness in a family member
• How to stop smoking
• How to take an enjoyable holiday with small children
• How to buy a computer
• How to buy a good used car
• How to improve your basketball, tennis, hockey, golf, swimming, or any other sports skills
• A “how to” topic of your choice

Checklist

TOP

• Is the subject appropriate?
• Does the introduction clearly name the procedure and encourage the reader?
• Is all needed equipment listed in the introduction or the first body paragraph?
• Are all the steps included?
• Are the steps in an appropriate order for a beginner?
• Is each step explained in enough detail?
• Have transitions been used to make the sequence of steps clear?
• Has the reader been warned about common problems or pitfalls?
• Does the conclusion reinforce the value of the procedure?

If your essay is too long, consider limiting or restricting your thesis statement in some way. Another approach is to change the topic sentences to encompass more than a single item; this way, you can combine two or more ideas into one paragraph. Think about whether or not two or more steps in the process logically belong together.