A Complete Guide to Process Writing

What is Process Writing?

A process is a series of activities performed in a specific order to achieve a particular result. In process writing, students are typically provided with a flow-chart or a set of hints, based on which they must develop a complete, well-structured paragraph.

How to Write a Process

To write a proper process paragraph, follow these essential rules:

1. Give a Heading: Every paragraph must have a clear heading placed at the top of the writing.
2. Write an Introduction: Introduce the topic of the process with a brief, general idea or statement.
3. Follow the Hints: Follow the given hints one by one and expand them into full sentences. Avoid skipping steps, as step-jumping can create logical flaws in the construction.
4. Use the Passive Voice: In process writing, most of the sentences describing the steps should be written in the passive voice.
5. Use Appropriate Linkers: To maintain a smooth connection between sentences, use appropriate linking words (e.g., first, then, next, after that, finally).
6. Add a Conclusion: End your writing with a concluding remark on the topic if possible. This heightens the literary effect of the paragraph.

Worked-Out Examples of Process Writing

1. Preparing Tomato Jelly

Flow-chart: Buying or collecting ripe tomatoes — sorting and removing the bad ones — cleaning and washing — smashing and extracting the juice — seeds separated — boiling for about 30 minutes — sugar, chilly, and a little salt added towards the end of boiling — jelly prepared — cooled and bottled.
Tomato jelly is a delicious item to be taken with bread or biscuits. In the right season, ripe tomatoes are either bought from the market or collected by some other means. Then, those are properly sorted, and the bad or rotten ones are removed. The chosen tomatoes should be cleaned and washed properly with fresh water. After that, they are smashed, and the juice is extracted. The seeds are carefully separated. Then, the juice is boiled for about thirty minutes. Towards the end of the boiling process, sugar, chilly, and a little salt are added. When the boiling is over, the pot is left to cool. Now the jelly is ready. It is then poured into bottles. It may either be used at home or sold in the market.

2. Formation of Rain

Flow-chart: Hot summer days — water from water bodies evaporates — water vapour rises — comes in contact with cold air — condenses — forms tiny droplets — clouds formed — gets heavier — falls down as rain.
Nature moves in a cyclic order, and beautiful rain is a vital part of that nature. On hot summer days, the surface of water bodies becomes highly heated. Consequently, evaporation starts, and water vapour rises. Gradually, it goes higher and higher and comes in contact with cold air. Due to this, the water vapour condenses and forms into tiny droplets. Out of those droplets, clouds are formed. Over time, the clouds get heavier. The droplets combine to become larger water drops and eventually fall down on the earth as rain. Thus, the water cycle becomes complete.

3. Publication of a School Magazine

Flow-chart: Introduction — students selected for editorial board — manuscripts collected — writings sorted — proof checking done — manuscripts printed — distributed to all.
Students not only study fixed syllabuses in school but also get nourishment for their creative faculties. A school magazine helps students express their creativity. For the publication of a magazine, an editorial board is first formed with selected students and teachers. Then, manuscripts containing articles, poems, and stories are collected from the students. The printable writings are carefully sorted, and proof-checking is done by the board members. After corrections, the selected manuscripts are sent to the press to be printed into magazines. Finally, the published magazines are distributed among the students and teachers.

4. Preparing a Small Flower Garden

Flow-chart: Digging and preparing the soil — collecting seeds and saplings from a nearby nursery — sowing them — watering — manuring — fencing — taking regular care.
Colourful flowers give us heavenly satisfaction; they soothe our eyes and mind. Therefore, a small flower garden in front of the house makes living beautiful. To prepare one, first of all, the soil is dug and duly prepared. Seeds and saplings are then collected from a nearby nursery. Those are carefully sown in the soil and watered regularly. The use of manure is necessary to ensure proper growth. After planting, the garden is securely fenced to protect the plants from animals. Ultimately, to maintain a beautiful flower garden, taking regular care is absolutely necessary.

5. Preparing Mango-Pickle

Flow-chart: Buying or collecting green mangoes from the market — sorting and removing the skin — cutting into pieces — spices, salt, mustard oil, and chilly mixed — kept in a flat pot — kept under sunlight — poured into a jar.
Mango-pickle is a highly tasty food item that enhances the enjoyment of a meal. Preparing mango-pickle is relatively easy and can be done at home. For this purpose, fresh green mangoes are collected from the market. The mangoes are sorted, and only the best ones are chosen for use. The skin is removed first, and then they are cut into small pieces. After that, different types of spices, salt, mustard oil, and chilies are added and mixed properly. The mixture is then placed in a flat pot and kept under the sunlight repeatedly for a few days. Once it is fully prepared, it is poured into an airtight jar so that it can be preserved and used throughout the year.

6. Preparing Guava-Jelly

Flow-chart: Buying ripe guavas — cleaning — cutting — boiling for 30 minutes — separating the seeds — adding syrup — boiling to turn it thicker — cooling — bottling.
Preparing guava jelly is simple, and it is a tasty treat for both children and elders. A few easy steps are followed to prepare this jelly. First, ripe guavas are bought from the market. They are cleaned properly with fresh water and cut into pieces. These pieces are then boiled for approximately half an hour in a water-filled container. Once boiled, the seeds are separated from the guavas. A proper quantity of sugar syrup is added to the pulp, and it is boiled again to make the mixture thicker. Thereafter, it is taken off the oven and left to cool for a certain time. With added preservatives, it is securely kept in a bottle for future use or to be sold in the market.

7. Preparing Lemon-Squash

Flow-chart: Lemons collected and scrubbed — scrapping the lemon rind — left to cool — squeezing out the juice — straining it through a sieve into a bowl — mixing citric acid and sugar — poured into sterilized bottles.
Lemon squash can be bought from the market, but it can also be easily prepared at home. To prepare lemon squash, first of all, good-quality lemons should be bought from the market. These lemons must be scrubbed properly. Next, the rinds of the lemons are gently scrapped one by one, after which they are left to cool. Then, they are squeezed to extract the juice. To make the juice drinkable and smooth, it is strained through a sieve and kept in a bowl. A proper quantity of citric acid and sugar is then mixed with the juice. Citric acid acts as a preservative, helping to keep it fresh for a long time. The prepared squash is finally preserved in a sterilized bottle and is ready to be served.

8. Preparing Mustard Oil

Flow-chart: Seeds collected — dried seeds are put into a grinding machine — crushed — a little water added — extracting oil — oil cakes are separated, oil is collected — kept in a container — sealed — oil is ready for use and sale.
Mustard oil is a must in our everyday cooking; without it, preparing traditional meals is nearly impossible. To prepare mustard oil, first of all, fresh mustard seeds are collected. They are then dried in the sun for a few days. After that, the dried seeds are put into a grinding machine. The machine thoroughly crushes the seeds, which may take some time. If needed, a little water is added to the mixture to help extract the liquid. After grinding, the pure oil and the oil cakes are separated. The extracted oil is collected in a clean container, which is then tightly sealed. Thus, the mustard oil is ready for use and commercial sale.

9. Arranging a Cultural Programme

Flow-chart: Notice served — students meet the concerned teachers — names enlisted — rehearsals arranged — taking corrections — order of programmes declared — stage rehearsal taken — final presentation.
Cultural programmes in schools, colleges, libraries, and other such institutions form a vital part of our society, helping to build a proper mentality and taste for art and culture. To conduct a cultural programme properly in a school, several steps are followed. First, a notice is served to everyone concerned with the details of the programme and instructions on how to join. Following that notice, interested students meet the concerned teachers, and their names are enlisted. Lengthy rehearsals are then arranged under the supervision of the teachers. During this phase, if needed, the students’ performances are rectified and polished. Next, the final order of the programme is declared. On the eve of the performance, a full stage rehearsal is conducted. At last comes the final presentation on the stage. The success of any programme depends heavily on the proper execution of all these steps.

10. Organizing a Blood Donation Camp

Flow-chart: Camp set up — names of blood donors enlisted — blood group tested — made to lie on bed — veins compressed — cleaned with ether — needle inserted — blood collected in sterilized bottles or polythene bags — labelled properly — kept in refrigerator — sent to blood bank.
One drop of blood can save a life. Donating blood is not only our social duty but, scientifically, it is also highly beneficial for our health. To organize a blood donation camp, first of all, a proper camp environment is set up. Then, the names of the willing blood donors are enlisted. A group of medical professionals and doctors conducts the entire process. First, the blood group of the donors is tested. Then, they are made to lie down on comfortable beds. The veins on their arms are compressed, and the target spot is cleaned thoroughly using ether. Next, a sterilized needle is carefully inserted by the doctor. The blood starts to flow out and is collected in sterilized bottles or polythene blood bags. After collection, the bags are labelled properly with the specific blood group mentioned on them. Immediately, they are put in a refrigerator and, with due precaution, sent to the blood bank for preservation. This preserved blood can later give a fresh lease of life to someone dying in need.