Process analysis involves explaining how something works or how to do something. Your task is to choose an informational process (explaining how something works) that interests you, research it, and write an analysis paper on that process.

Informational processes are ones that are scientific/natural or historical in nature. They are processes that do not need a list of directions.

Topic:

  • How laws changed after 9/11

  In addition to a natural or historical process, you could choose a process specific to your career or course of study. For example, if you’re a Political Science major, you might research the process of a bill becoming a law. If you’re a Nursing major, you might research gestation stages. Make sense?

Once you choose a topic, research it – go to the online FTCC library or any library you have access to.

Here is a template for your discussion:

Introduction:

  • Introduce your topic and offer background information on the process. Be creative!
  • Discuss why the process is relevant or when it is used. Use real-world examples.
  • End with a thesis statement that includes the specific steps/phases of the process you will discuss.

Body:

  • Break the process down into paragraphs.
  • Discuss each step or phase in one paragraph.
  • Use the MEAL plan to structure your paragraphs, and include transitions between paragraphs to link the steps/phases.
  • Be descriptive in your discussion and include ONE flowchart (original creation) that allows the reader to see the steps/phases of the process. The flowchart should not take up a whole page – make it comfortable within the body of the paper. Where would the flowchart be most effective in the discussion? You must include this flowchart.
  • Address at least one obstacle that might interfere with or alter the process, and discuss the possible effects.

Conclusion:

  • Restate (not repeat) the thesis statement.
  • Review the main points of the discussion and wrap up the paper (you don’t have to repeat each step of the process).
  •  Describe the expected result(s) of the process and leave the reader with a final thought.

Your essay must be:

  1. 800-1,000 words. Research your topic, and use at least four (4) scholarly sources in your paper. The sources must come from the FTCC library or any other library you have access to.
  2. formatted according to MLA guidelines (this includes using in-text citations and a Works Cited page – papers without citations AND a Works Cited page will earn a zero).
  3. written in 3rd person (the paper is not about you or the reader, so remove yourself and the reader from the text).