How -To-Paper

Process Analysis

On Halloween night one of the most popular attractions is the carved pumpkin. Also known as Jack-o'-lanterns, pumpkins are a traditional welcome for trick-or-treaters. The pumpkin is an invitation to all trick-or-treaters to stop for a Halloween surprise. Children's eyes light up when they get a glimpse of the one of a kind pumpkins. One should remember that carving a pumpkin takes more patience than skill.

First one must prepare a design for the pumpkin. When designing a pumpkin, one must draw a circle around the stem which is on top of the pumpkin. However, the circle must be large enough for the carver's hand to reach through. Next, one should draw the eyes, nose, and mouth on the front of the pumpkin. The most common design is to make the face scary, but some carvers prefer to have a nice, happy face. The design step should be done before any cutting has taken place.

Once the design has been made, one must be ready to cut and clean. At this point, the carver should cut through the stem end along the circle with a sharp knife. For example, one should use a back-and-forth slicing motion to cut through the thick, tough skin. Next, the carver must remove the stem end, making sure he scrapes off any seeds or pulp. The carver wants the pumpkin to be hollow so a candle will fit in it. One should, with a large spoon, one must scoop out the seeds and pulp from inside the pumpkin. Finally, the carver should cut out all the facial features of the pumpkin.

After all the cutting and cleaning has occurred, the carver is ready for the final touches. At last, it is time for the candle. One should place a votive candle inside the pumpkin to create an eerie glow. Then the carver should place the stem back on top of the pumpkin for the final touch. As a tip, carvers should coat the cut edges with cooking oil so the pumpkin will be fresh longer. Also, one must avoid leaving