A process analysis essay refers to an essay that gives instructions on how to undertake a certain activity. To maintain clarity, it is vital for process analysis essays to follow certain steps. Informational and directional process analysis writings are the two main classifications of process analysis essays. An informational process essay provides information on a topic that may interest certain parties.
On the other hand, a directional process essay gives instructions on how to undertake a certain activity (Reinking and Osten 483). ‘Taking down carbon’ by Caroline Goldman is a good example of an informational process essay. It provides information on how krill help in carbon sequestration (Leide et al. 1228). The title of the essay, ‘taking down carbon,’ elicits interest from the reader (Goldman 487). Also, the essay presents various ideas in a systematic manner (Hall 25). Therefore, Goldman’s article is a well-written process analysis essay.
It is vital for a process analysis essay to choose the appropriate subject. The essay should be either informational or directional (Reinking and Osten 483). Goldman’s essay is an informational process essay. It details how Antarctic krill help in carbon sequestration. Also, it details how various factors limit the ability of krill to sequestrate carbon.
The topic of an essay should provide an idea of the content of the essay. The topic should attract the attention of the reader. The topic of the essay is ‘taking down carbon.’ This shows that the essay is about carbon. The phrase ‘taking down carbon’ elicits interest from the reader.
It is vital for a process analysis essay to have a clear thesis statement. The thesis statement provides the focus of the essay. The essay ‘taking carbon down’ does not have a clear thesis. This makes it difficult for the reader to determine the focus of the essay. The thesis is usually the last sentence of the first paragraph (Reinking and Osten 483).
The last sentence of the first paragraph of Goldman’s essay mentions the focus of scientists who conducted the study. It states that the scientists focused on “krill’s effects on carbon sequestrations” (Goldman 486). It is not clear whether it is a thesis statement or not.
A process essay should organize various steps in a logical manner. This helps in capturing the attention of the reader. Also, it helps in building the content of the essay in a systematic manner. The essay commences by providing information on the habitat of krill. It then provides information on how krill sequestrate carbon from the atmosphere. The essay then states certain factors that limit the ability of krill to sequestrate carbon in the atmosphere.
According to the author, the destruction of krill’s habitat poses a serious threat to the existence of krill. The author states that “as the earth’s climate rises, sea ice melts away, destroying these krill nurseries – and thus much of the krill population” (Goldman 487). The initial paragraphs had provided information on the habitat of krill. This enables the reader to comprehend how the rise in temperature poses a threat to the existence of the krill.
Process essays should provide concrete explanations (Reinking and Osten, 483). The essay provides a concrete explanation of how krill sequestrate carbon by ingesting phytoplankton. Also, the essay provides information on how various factors may limit the ability of the skill to sequestrate carbon. The essay explains how various animals pose a serious threat to the existence of krill (Goldman 487).
Therefore, it would be right to claim that Goldman’s essay is a well-written process analysis essay. It has a clear subject matter. The author also organizes the essay in a series of steps that make it easy for the reader to understand. However, the essay does not have a clear thesis statement.
Works Cited
Goldman, Caroline. “Taking carbon down.” Strategies for successful writing. Ed. James A. Reinking and Robert Von Der Osten. New York: Longman, 2010. 486-487. Print.
Hall, Peter A. “Systematic process analysis: when and how to use it.” European Management Review, 3.1(2006): 24-31. Web.
Leide, John E., Charles Cole, Jamshid Beheshti, Andrew Large and Yang Lin. “Task-based information retrieval: Structuring undergraduate history essays for better course evaluation using essay-type visualizations.” Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 58.9(2007): 1227-1241. Print.
Reinking, James A. and Robert Von Der Osten. Strategies for successful writing, New York: Longman, 2010. Print.