Process writing explanations and giving directions Shows how

Process: writing explanations and giving directions • Shows how things work or how specific tasks are accomplished • Demonstrates how a complex procedure takes place • Instructs readers how to complete a specific task (recipes, employee manuals, textbooks, home repair articles)

Consider the knowledge base of your readers --you may have to define technical terms, make use of illustrative analogies and tell brief narratives --decide which details to leave out and where to make separations

• • Writing explanations Study the process carefully: identify areas that might be difficult for readers to understand Determine how much background info is needed Determine the beginning and end of the process Separate the process into logical stages: indicate major and minor stages Alert readers to possible variations Use transitional phrases (at the same time, two hours later, if additional flour is needed) Use images, details, narratives and examples to enrich description Review for undefined technical terms

• • • Giving directions Appreciate your responsibility (legal responsibility) Determine knowledge of your audience Make sure the directions are self-contained Alert readers to potential hazards, legal liabilities (use visual aids such as bold type, capital letters, underlining, pictures, graphs, charts) Explain the cost of materials or time required to complete the process Consider using numbered steps Alert readers to events that could be misinterpreted as mistakes Give negative instructions Test directions yourself

Reading process v Is the goal to explain or instruct? v What are the critical steps in the process? v Are techical terms clearly explained? v Are the beginning and ending points clearly defined? v Are instructions easy to follow?

Source: Connelly, Mark, The Sundance Reader, Wadsworth Cenage Learning, Boston 2012