Describing a Process, or, Process-Writing

Hello Friends... 

Sure, we all are doing well... Be careful, we must stay fit and shouldn't fall ill getting our studies affected. We shall eat and drink healthy, exercise regularly, and won't avoid our domestic and social responsibilities. And whatever time we get for ourselves at the end of the day, we must study hard for most of the time, so that we learn to think... and learn. We simply cannot afford to stop thinking, for we are learners, and we are the chosen ones who got the scope to learn... 

Let's learn to think first...

Describing a Process

Describing a process is an important skill that we need to learn. Often in our daily life, we come across situations where we are required to describe a process to make somebody note and learn that. Let's take up one of the most popular and useful processes that we require in our daily lives for our discussion. Think of the different recipes that are so popular and so very useful for us who attempt to cook for ourselves or for our loved ones for the first time. Don't they describe processes?

A Process

Do you still wonder what is a process? Simple. It's basically the summation of a number of events/tasks in a defined sequence/order. Do I confuse you more? Then let's consider an example to facilitate our understanding-

An Example

Let us attempt to remember how you compose an essay on a given topic- 

The Intermediate Steps

First, you do your own research on the topic. Then, you process the information you have gathered and organise them. Finally, you write down what you have come up with in your mind. 

The Order/Sequence

Haven't you noted that you complete the whole of the project/assignment by undertaking three tasks in a particular order:

Doing research to gather information ---> processing and organising the information ---> writing down your thoughts

Can you really write an essay by skipping any of the above tasks listed?

Certainly not. Each of the intermediate steps that requires the completion of a particular task at that level are important, and can not be omitted.

Can we in any way change the order of the tasks required to undertake in order to write an essay? Can we reverse the order to produce an equally meaningful essay?

Do I really need to answer now?

Summing up

So, now I hope you understand that some smaller events/tasks when done in a particular order help us complete/achieve a larger event/task. That is to say, when such a larger event/task is undertaken that requires a number of smaller events/tasks to be done in a particular order/sequence, then the larger event/task might be referred to as a process. 

You should feel free to contact me if you still have doubts...

Describing a Process

Now that we have learned what is a process, it won't be difficult to understand how it is conventionally described. Mostly, this is a formal affair, required for official/business reasons. Hence, processes are conventionally described in passive voice preferably.

Apart from this, we need to keep in mind that sequence/order is very important in a process. Therefore, we normally use a lot of linkers [like First/ At first/ At the very beginning, Then/ Next/ Next to it/ Next to that/ After it/ After that/ Thereafter/ Following it/ Following that, Finally/ Lastly/ At the last... ] at the very beginning of the sentences to refer to the order/sequence of those little events/tasks that constitute the whole of the process.

Hands on

I think it's time to try our hands together. What do you say?

Brainstorming

Are you confused with the term 'flow-chart'? Flow-charts are specifically designed diagrams that refer to the order/sequence of events/tasks that constitute the whole process. Don't you understand the order of the constituting sub-tasks from the flow-chart? The first comes first, and the rest follow in their respective order, that's it...

Which process we are dealing with here? Yes, how a building is constructed,- that's the process we are dealing with in here. It is a process indeed, that is to say, it involves a range of smaller sets of jobs to get it completed. And the fun part is that it comes already in an order, and doesn't require to be organised.

Didn't I tell you that it's easy to describe a process?

Let's Start

Why don't you describe the process as referred to in the flow-chart on your own right now as I describe it myself here? Then, we might go through each other's description together, right? 

The Heading

And, don't forget, we are supposed to refer to the process that we are going to describe in the very heading itself...

My Description of the Process

How a Building Is Constructed

Construction of a building is a times-consuming, complicated process. At first, a suitable plan of the building is drawn by the concerned architect. Then, the plan is required to get sanctioned by the respective corporation or municipal authorities. It is only then that the masons and labourers are engaged to start the actual construction work. The primary construction of the building is done with ingredients like bricks, cement and sand. After the building is constructed, doors and windows are fitted with panels. Walls are plastered next. Wiring and plumbing work are done thereafter to make the electric and water connections functional. After that, the building is painted. Finally, the building is completed and is fit for living.

The Way We Did It

The Introduction

Have you too begun with an introductory sentence like me. That's fine, for it saves us from beginning our descriptions abruptly, right?

Use of Linkers

Have you noted how I have used various linkers throughout my description to refer to the sequences of the different tasks executed at different levels? How have you used them in yours? 

Do you think your description is essentially different from mine? If yes, would you like to explain how? I will be looking forward to hear from you... All the best...