Process Analysis Paragraph
1. What Is a Process Analysis Paragraph?
In a process analysis paragraph, you divide a process into separate steps. Then you list or
explain the steps in chronological order the order of events as they happen over time. In other
words, it expresses how to do something and the steps you need to follow to complete an
activity. The process analysis paragraph ends with a specific result-something that happens at the
end of the process.
A process analysis paragraph
Explains a sequence or process.
Presents facts and details in chronological order.
Uses time words or phrases.
Ends with a specified result
2. Examples of Process Analysis Paragraphs
Read and study these example paragraphs.
Eating a Messy Food
Eating a mouth-watering taco is not easy, it requires
following specific directions. First, you must be sure that you are
wearing clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. Eating a taco
while you are wearing an expensive silk blouse is not a smart
idea. The next thing that you should do is to decide if you want
to eat the taco alone or in front of others. Eating a taco in front of someone you do not know very
well can be embarrassing. It is important to plan your attack! It is a good idea to pick up the taco
gently and then carefully keep it in a horizontal position. As you raise the taco, slowly turn your
head toward it and position your head at a twenty-degree angle. The last step is to put the corner
of the taco in your mouth and take a bite. By following these simple directions, eating a taco can
be a less messy experience.
1. What is the topic sentence of this paragraph?
2. This paragraph discusses three things about eating tacos. What are they?
a. Do not wear expensive clothes because you might spill something on them.
b.
c.
Applying to an American University
Although the process for applying to an American university is not complicated, it is
important to follow each step. The first step is to choose several schools that you are interested in
attending. Next, write to these schools to ask for information, catalogs, and applications. You
may also want to visit the schools’ Web sites. After you have researched several schools, narrow
your list to between three and five schools. Then mail all the required forms and documents only
to your final list of three to five schools. If the school of your choice standardized test, such as
the SAT, ACT, or TOEFL, be sure to do so early. In addition, ask various school officials and
teachers to write letters of recommendation for you if the university requires them. Finally,
almost all schools have an application fee. This fee should be sent in the form of a check or
money order. One last piece of advice is to start early because thousands of high school students
are all applying at the same time.
1. What is the topic sentence of this paragraph?
2. What is the author's main suggestion for a successful application process?
3. According to the information in this paragraph, how many steps are there in applying to an
American university?____Which step has two parts?______Write them here.
3. Organizing a Process Analysis Paragraph
The order of steps in a process is important to the success of a process analysis paragraph.
Language Focus
Transition Words and Chronological Order
A process analysis paragraph is usually arranged in chronological order. In other words,
the steps in the process are listed in the order that they happen in time.
Writers use time phrases, time clauses, and time words to show time order in a process.
These items are also called transition words.
1. Study the transition words in the following chart. In the right column are examples of how
they are used
Transition Words Examples
Then Then remove the pot…
First, you must be sure…
First, (Second, Third, etc)
The first step is to choose several schools…
Next, (The next step/thing) The next thing you should do is to decide…
The last step (Finally.) The last step is to put the corner…
In addition, In addition, ask various school officials and
teachers to write letters…
Before Before you serve the coffee, …
After (When) When the foam appears, …
2. Now turn back to Example Paragraph 2 and circle all the transition words that you can find.
Notice that some time phrases and words are followed by a comma when they appear at the
beginning of a sentence. Time clauses, such as "After you have researched several schools," are
always followed by a comma when they appear at the beginning of a sentence.
Transitional words, phrases, and clauses can show chronological order. Most transitional words
and clauses are followed by a comma.
The following sentences make up a paragraph. Number them from 1 to 10 to indicate the best
order. In addition, add commas where necessary. Hint: Five sentences need commas
A. First put the water and the plants in the jar.
B. One week later check the fish
C. The fact that the fish is still alive shows that oxygen was added. If you look carefully
at a plant stem when it is in sunlight, you can see the tiny
bubbles of oxygen escaping from the plant.
D. When you do this be sure to leave about an inch of empty
space.
E. Keep the jar in a cool place indoors, but be sure that it
receives some direct sunlight for a few hours each day.
F. When you are sure that the water in the jar is at room
temperature add the fish.
G. Here is a simple science experiment that proves that plants
produce oxygen.
H. For this experiment, you will need a clean quart jar with a
tight lid, some tape, a goldfish, some water, and a few green plants.
I. Put the lid on as tightly as you can.
J. After that wrap the lid with several layers of tape so that you are sure that no air can pass
through it.
4. Some guidelines for writing
Write a process analysis paragraph. Follow these guidelines:
Choose a topic.
Write some notes about the steps in the process.
Write a topic sentence with controlling ideas.
Write supporting sentences that give the steps in chronological order. Use transition
words to show that the steps are in the correct order.
