Elements of Language: Second Course, Chapter 2

ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE <MODEL BANK HOME

Writer's Model

Complex Process Essay

A complex process essay is an informative essay that describes the steps or events that occur in a particular process. A good complex process essay answers the question "How did thathappen?" or "How does thiswork?"

Many complex process essays use the structure illustrated in the framework below. Print this framework and use it as a guide when you write your own complex process essay.

Introduction
• Reason why people should understand this process
• Clear topic statement
• Background information

Name your process Clearly tell your readers what process you will explain and why they should learn how the process works.
Provide background If you think your readers might be very unfamiliar with the process you will describe, provide background information to help them understand it.

Body
• First step plus elaboration
• Second step plus elaboration and so on

Step through it Use chronological order to describe each step of the process.
Elaborate on each step Use sensory language and step-by-step descriptions to explain what is involved in each step and how each step relates to the other steps of the process.
Define any unfamiliar terms Explain any special technical language that your readers might not be familiar with.

Conclusion
• Final comment about the process
and/or
Restatement of its importance

Bring it home Remind readers why the process is important to them. You may also want to tell your audience what happens after the end of the process.