How-to Essay Topics for a Process Essay

Your first challenge in writing a how-to essay is deciding on a topic. If youre like many students, you might feel as though you dont know anything well enough to teach others. But thats not true! All people have something that they can do so well that they dont even think about how to do it anymore—they just do it. Choosing the Right Topic When you read over the list below you will realize that you do know many things in depth, well enough to teach. Typically, your inspiration will be based on lateral thinking. For example, from the list below, you may decide to write an essay on how to cook a Scottish egg after you see Crack an egg in the list. Or you may decide to write about how to make an Excel spreadsheet with all of your homework listed, after seeing Organize your homework on the list.   Narrow your choices to a few topics, and then brainstorm for a few minutes about each topic. Determine which one has the most potential because it can be divided into five to 10 clear paragraphs that you can explain well. Writing Tips Some topics are easier than others to explain. Straightforward processes versus ones with lots of contingencies will be much less complicated to write out, for instance. If you find that youve chosen a topic thats just too broad, pick one portion of it to explain. Remember, you want your reader to be able to follow your instructions to successfully complete the process. In your drafting, err on the side of too much detail and description rather than too little. (Its easier to cut material that you dont need than to add in it later.) If youre not allowed to use images with your instructions, choosing a topic that is aided by visuals makes writing the instructional process much more challenging, so take your assignment parameters into consideration as you choose what to write about. If you know your topic so well that it comes naturally to you, it may be tough to write instructions for a beginner who has no knowledge of the topic, because you forget how much you didnt know when you first started. Have a partner try out your instructions during the drafting or revision phase (or both) to see what youve left out or what isnt explained clearly enough. How-to Topics for a Process Essay   Raccoon-proof your campsiteMake an obstacle course for squirrelsSet a tableMake a pet costumeEarn $100Start a bandMake a pià ±ataMake an omeletMilk a cowStart beekeepingRead palmsMake a quiltWash a carDecorate a bedroomMake a podcastBurn a CDStart a recycling programCollect stampsClean a bedroomMake a pizzaMake a volcanoOrganize your homeworkPlay the guitarMake a sock puppetMake a doll dressWrite a letter to the editorWrite a complaintPlan a partyPlant a treeCreate a cartoon characterImprove your spellingBake a layer cakeChange a tireDrive a stick shiftMake a Christmas stockingLearn to dancePlay chessDo a magic trickGo bird watchingMake a music videoMake a candleMake soapPaint a pictureCreate art with crayonsCreate a web pageStay safe on the InternetWrite a songWrite a poemMake a handbagTie a scarfMow the lawnMake a hamburgerMake pancakesMake a pillowPlay footballMake a sculptureMake a lampMake shadow puppetsMake a boxCare for petsBuild a tree housePlay tagPlay hide and seekPaint fi ngernailsMake homemade slippersTie macramà © knotsMake a sandwichMake chocolate milkMake hot chocolateMake a pot of coffeeMake a milkshakeBraid hairSell old toysSkateboardEat crab legsBecome a vegetarianMake a saladDesign a jack-o-lanternRide a horseRace turtlesCatch lightning bugsMake a wildflower bouquetCut paper dollsEat an ice cream coneChange a diaperMake fruit punchMake a campaign posterFrame artMake a fake tattooInterview a celebrityCatch a fishMake a snowmanMake an iglooMake a fanWrite a newsletterCrack an eggMake a necklaceTie a necktieRide the subwayWalk like a modelRide a motorcyclePitch a tentFind something youve lostCurl your hairSaddle a horseMake a sandcastleBob for applesGo hikingApply for a jobDraw stick figuresOpen a bank accountLearn a new languageAsk for a later curfewBehave at a fancy dinnerAsk somebody outPose for a pictureWake up in a good moodSend Morse code messagesMake a kiteHem your jeansPitch a fastballBe a ghost hunterMake string artFly aloneShaveMop a floorPeel an appleString popcornRemix a songWalk a tightropeStand on your headFind the Big DipperWrap a giftRoast a marshmallowClean a windowMake a campfireHave a yard saleCreate a carnival in your yardMake balloon animalsPlan a surprise partyWear eye makeupInvent a secret codeRecognize animal tracksTrain a dog to shake handsMake a paper airplaneSwat fliesPull a toothCreate playlistsPlay rock, paper, scissorsHula danceFloss your teeth