The Process Essay

As the name suggests, the process essay explains the process of making or breaking something. These essays are often written in chronological order, or in numerical order to show step-by-step processes. They are written in descriptive or prescriptive modes. Although it is not technical communication, it sounds like having all the qualities of a technical document. The only difference is that it is often written in descriptive mode, while a technical document is mostly in imperative mode. As process essay provides a step-by-step approach to doing something, they have typical transition words. These transition words make readers understand what has been done and what will follow next. Some of the specific transition words could be immediately, initially, in the end, in the future, in the meanwhile, later, next, soon, eventually, finally or firstly, and secondly. Here's an example: "In any community, there are several and varying ways in which residents fulfil a sense of community: participating in intramural sports, attending farmers' markets, walking with neighbours, attending political meetings, helping the elderly, visiting the library, and volunteering for youth groups."