Tips for Academic Success
Process Papers
Kool-Aid, Oh yeah!
Oh yeah! Who is ready for a refreshing beverage? It is the perfect drink choice,
minus the Kool-Aid man bursting through your wall. Let it be advised, however, without
the proper utensils and directions the great American beverage is nothing more than an
envelope of unsweetened powder. There are four simple steps to create this candy-tasting
concoction.
First of all, choosing the proper packet of flavoring is the first step to making
delicious Kool-Aid. When at the grocery store scan the shelf for a wide variety of flavors,
ranging from Grape-inator Grape to Oh Yeah, Orange. If it is too difficult of decision to
choose between these awesome flavors knock yourself out and buy two. The packets
usually run under 65 cents.
After choosing the flavor which best suits your taste buds, the second step is
making sure your kitchen houses the necessary equipment for making Kool-Aid properly.
Find a two-quart pitcher which is preferable clear. Any pitcher this size would work, but
a clear pitcher allows the Kool-Aid to shine through and add festive coloration to any
refrigerator shelf or picnic table. Next, find a long-handled wooden spoon, one-cup
measuring cup, a water faucet that spouts drinkable water, usable white sugar, and an ice
cube tray full of ice. Then, you are ready to mix.
Once you have your materials gathered you are ready to open the Kool-Aid.
Ohhh… the suspense! Grab the left edge of the Kool-Aid packet between your thumb and
index finger. With your other hand, begin peeling the envelope along the perforated line;
the entire top of the envelope should be removed. The third step is to mix your
ingredients together. Begin by dumping the contents of the envelope into the pitcher.
Then, take the measuring cup and scoop two cups of sugar into the pitcher as well. At this
point, adding the water is a crucial step. Place the pitcher under the water faucet and
slowly turn on the cold water. If the water is turned on too quickly, powder will fly all
over when the initial gusts of water hit. After the pitcher is filled within two inches of the
top, turn the water off and prepare to stir. Submerge the wooden three-quarters of the way
in the liquid and vigorously stir in a clockwise motion until all of the powder is dissolved.
It is time for a taste test. If the Kool-Aid is not sweet enough, feel free to add more sugar.
Finally it is time to clean up and enjoy. When you are finished seasoning the
Kool-Aid to your liking, rinse off the spoon and the measuring cup. Take out a glass from
the cupboard, add ice, and fill the glass with your colorful Kool-Aid. Find a comfortable
chair, put your feet up, and drink away. Let’s just hope the Kool-Aid man doesn’t come
for a visit.
1 Compliments of the Learning Center/ Mineral Area College
Prepared by Laura J. Helbig, Director
08/09
Comment [M1]: Thesis Statement-Main Point
and Support.
Comment [M2]: First Step-Choosing Flavor
Comment [M3]: Second Step-Gathering
Supplies
Comment [M4]: Transitions used to move
from one Idea to the next.
Comment [M5]: Third Step-Combine
Ingredients.
Comment [M6]: Fourth Step-Finished Product
 This type of paper explains the steps that must be followed to complete a task.
There are two types:
o Directional Process: tells the reader how to do or make something. Think
of a “how-to book.” The book tells the reader how to train a dog or wire a
house.
o Informative Process: Explains how something was done or made. This
paper is not designed to tell someone how to do something: rather, it
describes the steps someone besides the reader followed. An informative
paper might provide examples of how a particular monument was built, or
how a bill becomes a law in Missouri.
o
Remember to include a thesis statement and conclusion.
o
Organize the paper in chronological order.
o
Select a topic that can be described in a paper. The more complex the topic, the longer
and more complex will be the resulting paper.
o
Define special terms, especially acronyms.
o
Start at the beginning and don’t omit any steps or directions, no matter how trivial or
insignificant they seem to you.
o
Explain each step clearly, accurately, and in enough detail that your reader can follow
your direction.
o
For papers describing a process that only has a few big steps, devote a paragraph to
each step. If you have several small steps to describe, try organizing them into a few
manageable units.
o
Use transitional words or phrases between steps. You are writing a paper, not a list!
After a few hours
Before
First, second, third…etc.
Immediately before
In the end
In the meanwhile
Meanwhile
Simultaneously
Afterwards
Before this
First of all
Immediately following
In the future
Last, Last but not least, lastly
Next, Soon After
Subsequently
At the same time
Currently
Formerly
Initially
In the meantime
Later
Previously
Then
2 Compliments of the Learning Center/ Mineral Area College
Prepared by Laura J. Helbig, Director
08/09
Suggested Paper Topics
See specific handouts for further instructions on writing these papers
Process
Directional Process: (How to…)
Paint a mural, create a scrapbook, or sew a
costume
Fix up a classic car
Build a shelf, birdhouse, or other woodworking
Sneak into the house
Clean up a cluttered room
Babysit
Care for animals
Play a musical instrument
Building a campsite/Light a campfire
Learn another language
Read Palms or Interpret dreams
Create an inviting learning environment
Design a Garden
Plan a party
Use a computer program
Play a sport
Get a job
Prepare a meal
Find a bargain
Use an electronic device (MP3
player, I-pod, I-phone, or other)
Prepare for a race (cars,
motor cross, or other)
Volunteer in the community
Select the perfect video game
How to coach a team to victory
Informative Process:
What to do in an emergency situation
How candles are made
Photosynthesis
Adoption
How a website is designed/created
How a telescope works
How to get a driver’s license, passport, or other
document
How to obtain a college degree or certificate
How trees convert carbon dioxide into oxygen
Administering standardized testing
How an athlete prepares for a
game
How an engine works
How a tornado forms
How a president is elected
Steps to entering a profession
(teacher, lawyer, chef, nurse,
doctor, or other)
How a bike is assembled
How to apply for scholarships,
student loans, and grants
How movies and television
shows receive viewer ratings.
Global Warming
How a restaurant passes
inspection.
3 Compliments of the Learning Center/ Mineral Area College
Prepared by Laura J. Helbig, Director
08/09