A recipe is the epitome of process-analysis writing—writing
that explains how. A recipe analyzes a process, breaking
it down into smaller, simpler steps so
that the reader can follow these steps and, with luck, wind
up with a stellar chocolate cake. Covering topics ranging
from cooking to home repair, the links below use process
analysis to guide you to heights of domesticity. These essays
are for the most part directive process analyses that give
the reader just enough information to complete the project.
But what if you want to understand more? Does the directive
process analysis provide enough background information for
you to fully understand the physics of leaky faucets, or
the science of baking? Think about whether the processes
in these essays have been oversimplified, or whether a process
analysis necessarily requires simplicity. Look for the words
and phrases that signal order and timing. How important are
these words and phrases to your understanding the process?
Could they be changed and rearranged to make the process
easier to follow?
At Food
Network.com, you can search
for any recipe imaginable and see your favorite celebrity chef
in action. If you are a future Emeril, you may be familiar
with such terms as “blanch,” and may already know
how to pleat dumplings. But if you need help with any recipe
term more complicated than “stir,” you can find
help on the Food Network site. Choose any of the videos from
the Cooking School Video Demos page:
4 http://www.foodtv.com/cooking101/ck-g1/0,4019,,00.html
1. First, read the short process analysis essay that accompanies
the term. How is the essay organized? In what order do the
steps appear and why? Do you have a clear picture of how
to proceed? Now watch the video. Was the essay accurate?
2. Now, see if you can watch one of the videos without reading
the accompanying text. Write the text you think should accompany
the video and give it your own creative cooking term.
The following link takes you to the Better
Homes and Gardens Web site and its section on home repairs.
You’ll be reading about how to repair a leaky faucet.
As you read, consider how the form of the process analysis
essay can change when it is presented on the Web. What aspects
of the Web does this essay make use of? Would you rather read
about how to fix a leaky faucet in a hardcopy of a magazine
or on the Web? Why?
4http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jhtml?storyid=
/templatedata/bhg/step-by-step/data/hie_199.xml&categoryid=
/templatedata/bhg/category/data/FaucetGuide_InstallationAndRepair.xml
3. Accessible from the link above, the “Home
Improvement Encyclopedia” section on the Better
Homes and Gardens Web site includes hundreds of home-repair
and decorating topics, each of which fits into the
category of process analysis. Choose a topic that interests
you and do some analyzing of your own. How are these
online essays organized? What transitional phrases
do they use to help the reader follow the instructions?
Could you successfully accomplish the task described?
Now choose a selection that has room for improvement.
Write one revised version that makes the instructions
easier for a general audience to follow. Write another
revised version that would be suitable for a visually
impaired audience.
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