2. Special Type of Enumeration
Process
Process development is, in fact, a kind of enumeration, but it
usually deals only with steps or stages (and not, for example
with kinds or types). Thus, supporting sentences in the process
paragraph are arranged in a step-by-step sequence which tells
how something is made or done.
A more visual representation of process development diagram
might look like this:
PROCESS
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
etc.
3. Special Type of Enumeration
Process
Model Paragraph
1In his will, Alfred Nobel left specific instructions as to how the winners of
the science awards he endowed are to be selected. 2First, each year
the Swedish Academy of Sciences (physics and chemistry) and the
Caroline Medical Institute (physiology and medicine) solicit nearly two
thousand recommendations from past laureates, university
professors, and other experts from all over the world. 3The second
step is the review of recommendations received and the selections of
preliminary candidates by special committees within the two Swedish
Institutions. 4The committee members are specifically instructed that
those chosen “shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind,”
and that no consideration be given to the candidates’ nationalities.
5Next, after lengthy investigation and discussion, the final choices are
made for each discipline. 6Finally, telegrams informing them of their
awards are sent to the new Nobel laureates about one month prior to
the award ceremony.
4. Paragraph analysis
Topic Sentence: In his will, Alfred Nobel left specific
instructions as to
how the winners of the science awards he
endowed are to be selected.
STEPS SUPPORTIVE MATERIALS (Examples, Details, Etc.)
1. Requests for
recommendations
Swedish Academy of Sciences (physics and chemistry) and the
Caroline Medical Institute (physiology and medicine) solicit
nearly two thousand recommendations from past laureates,
university professors, and other experts from all over the
world.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
5. Enumerators and Listing Signals
Process paragraphs, like other kinds of enumerative paragraphs, often use
enumerators. The different is that, whereas enumerative paragraphs use many
different enumerators (types, kinds, groups, etc.), process paragraphs most
commonly use only three: Step, Stage, Phase.
Group 1 Listing Signals from the previous discussion can be used, but the structures
which follow them are usually different
First, SEND OUT recommendations
(Command form of the verb)
Second, YOU MUST SEND OUT the recommendations.
(Next,) (should, must, can + verb)
Third,
(next,) The committee SENDS OUT the recommendations.
(Then,) (simple present form)
Last, The recommendations ARE SENT OUT BY the committee.
(Finally,) (passive form)
LISTING Common Sentence Structures
SIGNALS for Process Paragraphs
6. Enumerators and Listing Signals
GROUP 2 LISTING SIGNAL
The first
The Second
(The next) STEP
The Third STAGE is
(The next) PHASE
The last
(The final)
Listing Process
Signals Enumerators
7. Special Type of Enumeration
Time Clues
In addition to sequence signals, a process paragraph can also be developed using other
indicators. They are:
1.Time clues, which include choice of verb and tense
2.Repetition, which provides links between sentences
3.Pronoun reference, which provides still another kind of link between sentences
Model Paragraph
1Even if you don’t know how to cook, you’ll never starve to death if you know how to prepare
scrambled eggs. 2You begin by melting one tablespoon of butter in a frying pan over low
heat. 3While the butter is melting, break three eggs into a bowl. 4Add ¼ teaspoon of salt,
¼ teaspoon of paprika, and three tablespoon of milk to the eggs in the bowl and mix them for
about a minute. 5Pour the mixture into the frying pan. 6As the eggs begin to thicken in
the pan, break them into shreds with a fork, or stir them with a spoon until they become
solid. 7When they are cooked, serve them with lightly buttered toast.
Time Phrase Time Clause
Indicate either
Verb Choice simultaneous or
Indicates sequential actions
first step
8. Time Clues
CLAUSES OF TIME
SIMULTANEOUS ACTIONS (while, as)
WHILE
AS the butter is melting, break three eggs into a bowl.
SEQUENTIAL ACTIONS (when, before, after, until)
WHEN the eggs thicken
AFTER have thickened ,serve them with toast.
(first action) (second action)
The eggs must thicken BEFORE you serve them.
(first action) (second action)
Do not serve the eggs UNTIL they thicken.
have thickened.
(second action) (first action)
Verb Choice
STEP (STAGE) VERBS
First Begin, Start
Intermediate Continue, Become, Remain, Develop
Final End, Finish, Culminate
9. Time Clues
PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
SIMULTANEOUS ACTIONS (while)
Clause: While the butter is melting, break three eggs into a bowl.
Phrase: While melting the butter, ….
SEQUENTIAL ACTIONS (when, after, before)
Clause: When you have beaten the eggs, pour them into the pan.
After
Phrase: Having beaten the eggs, ….
After having beaten the eggs, ….
Clause: You must beat the eggs before you pour them into the pan.
Phrase: … before pouring them into the pan.
10. Time Clues
SENTENCE CONNECTORS OF TIME
during this period
A. Melt the butter in the pan; at the same time , beat the eggs
meanwhile
afterwards
after that
B. Beat the eggs well; then , pour them into the pan
following that
at that point
11. Special Type of Enumeration
Repetition and Pronoun Reference
Model Paragraph
1Even if you don’t know how to cook, you’ll never starve to death if you know how
to prepare scrambled eggs . 2You begin by melting one tablespoon of butter in
a frying pan over low heat. 3While the butter is melting, break three eggs into a
bowl. 4Add ¼ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of paprika, and three tablespoon of
milk to the eggs in the bowl and mix them for about a minute. 5Pour the
mixture into the frying pan. 6As the eggs begin to thicken in the pan, break
them into shreds with a fork, or stir them with a spoon until they become solid.
7When they are cooked, serve them with lightly buttered toast.
Notice that words are often repeated to add continuity to a paragraph. They are
repeated either in their original form or in pronoun form. In the model
paragraph above, take note of the following:
The words eggs, bowl, and mix (as well as its word form mixture)
The different pronouns which mean “eggs”
12. Special Type of Enumeration
Chronological Order
When the order in which things happen, or a time sequence, is used to
develop a paragraph, this is called chronological order. Like process, this is
a special form of enumeration, since it is really a list of events.
Model paragraph
1Although the U. S. Air Force was not officially created until after the Second
World War, it had existed under other names since the beginning of the
century. 2The Army Air Forces were started on August 1, 1907, as a part of
the Aeronautical Division of the U. S. Signal Corps, and it was more than
one year later that this small division carried out its first mission in its own
airplane. 3When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the
Aviation Service, as it was then called, had only thirty-five pilots. 4On
December 7, 1941, the renamed Army Air Forces had only three thousand
of their ten thousand planes ready for combat. 5Finally, in 1947, the U. S.
Air Force was established as a separate branch of the military.
13. Paragraph analysis
Topic Sentence: Although the U. S. Air Force was not officially
created until after the Second World War,
it had existed under other names since the beginning of the century
(1900) . . .
1907: Aeronautical Division
(1910) . . .
1917: Aviation Service
(1920) . . .
(1930) . . .
(1940) . . .
1941: Army Air Forces
1947: U. S. Air Force
(1950) . . .
14. Enumerators, Listing Signals, and
Time Clues
Enumerators are rarely used in chronological order. However, Group 1 Process
Listing Signals are often used.
Time clues of all kinds, of course, very often used in chronology. However, as with
listing signals, the forms of the verbs are not generally present forms, as they
were in process, but rather past forms.
In addition, prepositional phrases of time often appear:
IN 1956
IN January, February, etc.
IN the afternoon, the morning, the evening
AT 9:00
AT noon, midnight, night
ON Monday, Tuesday, etc.
ON July 6
ON July 6, 1955
