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Before uploading your final process essay, check your publish for the following traits:
Clear thesis: Here is the thesis from the sample essay: First impressions are everything, and if you follow these steps, you’ll be on your way to being “The Hottest Player in The Game.” Make sure your thesis is not an announcement, such as “This essay will discuss ways to make a good first impression.” This is an ineffective thesis.
Visual aids such as numbered steps, or bold font, or bullet points, or color, or larger font. Yes, this essay will look differently than the typical college essay (but do doublespace because it makes the essay easier to read for me). You get graded on the effective use of these visual aids – so think about what can work, and do not go overboard (that can make the visual aids ineffective). Visual aids are NOT necessarily pictures or very descriptive words.
Has a conclusion after the last step.
Set of instructions/commands and not a “story” about how this process would work. You are writing directly to this audience and addressing it with “you”. This is a specific trait of this type of essay (process essay).
Explanation with the commands: give an example of what could happen if this is not done. Or show how the instructions will help with something. So add reasons and examples to your commands. This essay is not supposed to be a long list of short commands; do have body paragraphs.
No vague terms. For example, the command “be polite” is rather vague. I do not know what I should do exactly. Should I smile all the time? Should I hug people when I see them? Should I smile when they cuss me out? Should I say “please” and “thank you”? What you think is acting politely might not be the same as the reader does. So be specific. “Be polite and say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’” – is specific and everyone knows what to do.
Parallel structure in your headings: When one heading is a command, make all headings in the essay a command. For example, if your headings are “Do no harm”, “Gifts” and “Attendance”, one heading is a command and the other two are nouns – so the three are not the same. So make all of them commands (Do no harm; do not accept gifts; be punctual) or make them all nouns (Harm, Gifts, Attendance).
All steps fit the introduction/thesis: For example, if your thesis says that these instructions are about how to get hired, focus on the hiring process and do not include instructions on how to do the job after you have been hired.
Warnings about common errors. Usually these warnings are in the form of negative instructions, meaning use the words “do not.”
Avoid fragments.
Any sources are cited.
Logical order: often, chronological order works well for this type of paper. Think about what step needs to be done first. For example, I cannot arrive for a date on time and then worry about what I will wear. I need to worry about what to wear first, so this point needs to be before arriving for the date in your essay.
Different points/sections of your essay are approximately the same length. One step should not be a lot longer or shorter than the other steps in the paper.
Do not promise too much in the conclusion. You cannot guarantee that someone will be perfect when following these steps. So make sure you promise something you can deliver: the reader will improve, become a more effective speaker, a more valuable employee, a serious contender for the job, etc.
Advice is not against the law or unethical. You do not want readers who follow your advice to get in trouble; you have a responsibility towards your readers to keep them safe! Imagine if you would publish these instructions outside of our class; if you would, you do have to worry about potential lawsuits and other consequences, so keep this in mind.
Has been proofread: at a minimum use the spell and grammar checker in Word or use a service such as Grammarly.comLinks to an external site..
Process Essay Complete or Almost There
Process Essay Complete or Almost There
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOverall purpose and topic met:
To be marked complete:
The essay fits the chosen topic very well and clearly gives effective instructions. The essay includes an effective thesis that fits the topic and audience. The essay meets the minimum word count.
0.1 pts
Complete
The essay has met all parts of this criterion – well done.
0 pts
Almost There
The essay does not quite meet this criterion yet. Please read over my feedback, so you know what to revise.
0.1 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConsideration of the audience:
To be marked complete:
The essay is effectively geared towards the intended audience and the readers’ existing knowledge. The writer provides necessary background and uses terms the audience will understand. The steps and details fit the knowledge of the audience very well.
0.1 pts
Complete
The essay has met all parts of this criterion – well done.
0 pts
Almost There
The essay does not quite meet this criterion yet. Please read over my feedback, so you know what to revise.
0.1 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization, introduction, conclusion
To be marked complete:
Excellent logical order (emphatic, spatial, or chronological order) and coherence. Essay flows smoothly. Surprising hook reels reader in; conclusion sums up but also keeps reader thinking about the topic after the essay is finished.
0.1 pts
Complete
The essay has met all parts of this criterion – well done.
0 pts
Almost There
The essay does not quite meet this criterion yet. Please read over my feedback, so you know what to revise.
0.1 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEffective visual aids:
To be marked complete:
The author uses visual aids very effectively to help the reader follow the instructions easily.
0.1 pts
Complete
The essay has met all parts of this criterion – well done.
0 pts
Almost There
The essay does not quite meet this criterion yet. Please read over my feedback, so you know what to revise.
0.1 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDetails and unity:
To be marked complete:
The essay does not include any details that are vague or any general terms. All parts/details of the essay are on topic and support the main point/focus of the essay.
0.1 pts
Complete
The essay has met all parts of this criterion – well done.
0 pts
Almost There
The essay does not quite meet this criterion yet. Please read over my feedback, so you know what to revise.
0.1 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWarnings of common errors:
To be marked complete:
The essay addresses all common errors and problems and possible hazards and includes effective negative instructions.
0.1 pts
Complete
The essay has met all parts of this criterion – well done.
0 pts
Almost There
The essay does not quite meet this criterion yet. Please read over my feedback, so you know what to revise.
0.1 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar and style:
To be marked complete:
The essay includes no major grammar mistakes, such as run-ons or fragments. The writer can usually choose words aptly, use sophisticated sentences effectively, and observe the conventions of written English.
0.1 pts
Complete
The essay has met all parts of this criterion – well done.
0 pts
Almost There
The essay does not quite meet this criterion yet. Please read over my feedback, so you know what to revise.
0.1 pts
Total Points: 0.7