In this week’s post, you’ll find a mini lesson explaining what goes into a how-to or process essay, and you can download a printable evaluation form you can use to grade your 7th-12th graders.
Short tutorial on the how-to essay
Here are the steps I use to teach a how-to essay (also called a process essay, showing the process of how something is done):
1. Know your audience. Are you writing for newbies or for old pros? Someone younger than you, your age, or older? Tailor your instructions to your audience’s age, gender, and experience level.
2. Write an introduction to set the tone and to tell readers what you are going to teach them. For instance, if you love mowing the lawn, you’ll describe the glorious scent of fresh-cut grass and how delightful it is to be outdoors. If you hate mowing the lawn, you might mention sunburn, mosquitoes, and so forth.
3. List items or ingredients the readers will need.
4. Go step by step chronologically.
5. Be clear in your instructions.
6. Use transition words and phrases between the steps. Use words like “then,” “after you have . . .,” “just before . . .,” “finally,” and so on to keep readers tracking with you.
7. Include charts or pictures, if necessary.
8. Define any jargon.
9. Write a conclusion to tell readers what to do once they’re finished.
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Evaluation form for the how-to essay
Essays can be much easier to assign and grade if students know how they will be graded. Download the free evaluation form I use with my students. When I give them their how-to assignment, I also give them a form so they know what to aim for and what to expect when I grade their essays.
To download the form in a PDF, click here. >>
Here are a few ideas for Christmas how-to paragraphs or essays. Adjust them for any season you wish:
1.How to make gingerbread men
2.How to decorate the tree
3.How to buy the perfect present
4.How to appear thankful for a particular gift when you are not
5.How to avoid coveting or envy during the Christmas season
6.How to bless someone who’s lonely
The lesson is taken from The Power in Your Hands: Writing Nonfiction in High School, 2nd Edition.
The evaluation form is taken from The Power in Your Hands, Teacher’s Guide and 21 Grading Grids for Popular High School Essays and the Position Paper.
For another lesson on how-to essays, with an emphasis on transitions, follow this link. >>
Yours for a more vibrant writing class,
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