One activity to help students with the process essay is to help them break down the steps. Hand out a pile of index cards to each student. Have the student write one step on each card. Students can then use the cards to organize the paragraphs for the essay and to make sure that all of the steps are in the correct order. Students have now created an outline for their essays and should be ready to write.
One way to ensure clarity of the process essay is to have students perform the essay they have written. Student should begin by writing the essay at home. Students will then bring in the materials they need to complete the task. Students will need to follow the directions outlined in the essay. The student will then see if the essay truly explained the process. Be sure students pick a topic that is not overly complicated or does not involve too many materials. Limit the time of the presentation as well to keep presentations focused.
To test the ability of students to explain a process, assign the topic to the class. Break the class down into groups. Assign each group a similar process. One group could be required to make a certain type of sandwich. Another group could explain how to play a certain game. Groups can work together to outline the steps but ultimately each student would have to write one essay. The groups could then be required to perform each other's essays to see if the process is simple and easy to follow. This activity encourages collaboration in addition to the writing process.
Assign a process essay to each student in the class. As an extra-credit opportunity, have students videotape themselves performing the task. Students should narrate the video using their essays. Videotaping can eliminate the stress of speaking in front of the class and can allow students access to more tasks because they are at home. You can also show the videos during class time and have students fill out a rubric to grade the effectiveness of the essay. Students will then receive feedback from their peers as well as the teacher.