Process
Paragraph
The “How to” Paragraph
What is a process?
• A process is a series
of steps that lead
to a desired result.
• A process paragraph
explains how to do,
create, or understand
something.
• For example: how to
bake a cake or how to
improve your grades. Is there a process
for getting rich?
Characteristics of Process
Paragraph
• Pay attention to chronological order.
• When the steps are repeated, the same
result should be achieved.
• Pay attention to transitions.
• Modals or Imperatives are the language
of the process paragraph.
Sample Paragraph
Winter Driving
If you drive in winter conditions, knowing five steps
possibly can save your life. First, be sure your car is ready.
Check the tires’ tread and air pressure, the battery, and
the antifreeze. Second, stock your car with emergency
roadside supplies. Have a flashlight, jumper cables, and a
shovel. Third, practice winter driving in an empty parking
lot. When you skid, ease your foot off the gas and steer
the car in the direction you want the front end to head.
Next, know your route in advance so your hands do not
leave the steering wheel and your eyes do not leave the
road in an attempt to find directions on a map. Finally, know
what to do if you do get stuck, stalled, or stranded. Stay in
your car where you will be warmer. Tie a bright piece of
cloth or a marker on your antenna. Run your car long enough
to remove the chill. Do not leave your car and attempt to
walk long distances for help. Following these five steps will
lead to safer winter driving and could save your life.
Can you break this process paragraph down into its three key parts?
Here are the key parts…
• Winter Driving
The topic If you drive in winter conditions, knowing five
sentence tells steps possibly can save your life. First, be sure
why it matters. your car is ready. Check the tires’ tread and air
pressure, the battery, and the antifreeze. Second,
stock your car with emergency roadside supplies.
Have a flashlight, jumper cables, and a shovel. Third,
practice winter driving in an empty parking lot. When
Can you find you skid, ease your foot off the gas and steer the
the five main car in the direction you want the front end to head.
details in the Next, know your route in advance so your hands do
body? not leave the steering wheel and your eyes do not
leave the road in an attempt to find directions on a
map. Last, know what to do if you do get stuck,
stalled, or stranded. Stay in your car where you will
be warmer. Tie a bright piece of cloth or a marker on
The final your antenna. Run your car long enough to remove the
sentence chill. Do not leave your car and attempt to walk long
repeats why it distances for help. Following these five steps will
lead to safer winter driving and just could save
matters. your life.
Every strong paragraph has its beginning, body, and conclusion!
What can do you use to ensure smooth
transition in the paragraph?
• You may use
connecting words such
as:
• First Finally
• Second As
• Third
• Lastly
• Now
• Until
• However What advice would
• Moreover Mom give?
Indicate the connecting words that would complete the
paragraph below.
first finally moreover then second
Car Buying
Buying a good car is easy if you know these steps.
1) ____________you must decide on a new or used one.
2) ___________you must figure out your budget and know
how much you want to spend. 3) _____________, if you
decide to buy a used car, check the values from the
newspaper. For example, you can research new cars in
consumer magazines and the Internet for price, safety, and
value. 4) ___________, road test to see how the car
handles on the freeway, city streets, and on curves. Check
the brakes. Listen for sounds or squeaks inside the car
from the engine or in the wheels. 5) ___________, ask
family and friends about the car. These steps can help you
select the right car for many years of reliable
transportation.
Work with a partner. Indicate the connecting
words that would complete the paragraph below.
first finally moreover
then second
Car Buying
Buying a good car is easy if you know these steps. 1)
____________you must decide on a new or used one. 2)
___________you must figure out your budget and know
how much you want to spend. 3) _____________, if you
decide to buy a used car, check the values from the
newspaper. For example, you can research new cars in
consumer magazines and the Internet for price, safety,
and value. 4) ___________, road test to see how the car
handles on the freeway, city streets, and on curves. Check
the brakes. Listen for sounds or squeaks inside the car
from the engine or in the wheels. 5) ___________, ask
family and friends about the car. These steps can help you
select the right car for many years of reliable
transportation.
Below is an unorganized process analysis
paragraph. Arrange the sentences in
order to form a meaningful paragraph.
How to Boil an Egg
Finally, take the egg out of the pot and put
it in the egg cup. Second, fill the pot 4/5 full
with water and put in the egg. First, get a pot
big enough to hold one egg. Third, turn the
heat to high until the pot of water is boiling.
Then, boil the egg in the water for three
minutes. Now, the egg is ready to eat. Enjoy
it! You can cook a perfectly boiled egg for
breakfast if you follow these six easy steps.
Below is an unorganized process analysis paragraph.
Arrange the sentences in order to form a
meaningful paragraph.
How to Boil an Egg
Finally, take the egg out of the pot and put it in
the egg cup. Second, fill the pot 4/5 full with
water and put in the egg. First, get a pot big
enough to hold one egg. Third, turn the heat to
high until the pot of water is boiling. Then, boil
the egg in the water for three minutes. Now, the
egg is ready to eat. Enjoy it! You can cook a
perfectly boiled egg for breakfast if you follow
these six easy steps.
• Buying a good car is easy if you know
The topic these steps. First, you must decide on a new
sentence tells or used one. You must also figure out your
why it matters. budget and know how much you want to
spend. Then, if you decide to buy a used car,
check the values from the newspaper. For
example, you can research new cars in
Can you find consumer magazines and the Internet for
the five main price, safety, and value. As a fourth step,
details in the road test to see how the car handles on the
body?
freeway, city streets, and on curves. Check
the brakes. Listen for sounds or squeaks
inside the car from the engine or in the
wheels. Lastly, ask family and friends about
The final
sentence
the car. These steps can help you select
repeats why it
the right car for many years of reliable
matters. transportation.
Every strong paragraph has its beginning, body, and conclusion!
Process Paragraph Sample
How to Live on a Tight Budget
In order to keep a tight budget, you have to find a new job,
keep a record of your money, and take care with your free time. The
first step is to think of getting a second or third job because doing
so has two advantages: you can make more money, and you have less
time to spend the money! Secondly, you must record all the money
that you receive and spend. The money you receive is called your
salary, and it should be more than the money you spend. This is called
budget. Don’t forget to include money you spend regularly, such as
gas, rent, car insurance, and electricity; also, keep in mind any
special checks you write, such as those you write for food, new
shoes, and vacations. Finally, think about how you spend your free
time; try to spend your free time without spending money! For
example, you spend money on activities like movies, parties, and
restaurants. You should cut down these unnecessary expenses. After
you follow these steps, you will save money, time, and worry.
