You can think of the process paragraph as a "how to." A process paragraph gives your reader instructions on how to accomplish something, or an account of how some event occured, or how something works.
Following a logical order is very important in a process paragraph. If you're writing instructions, steps should be listed in the order that they should be performed and if you're describing a past event, it's generally best to follow a chronological order.
Don't leave any steps out! Let's pretend I've never made a sandwich. Think about how you would tell me to make a PB&J. What's the first step? If the first thing you tell me to do is put peanut butter on a slice of bread, I might do something ridiculous like tear open the package of bread with my teeth, or scoop peanut butter out of the jar with my hand. Chances are, you're explaining a much more complicated process and if you assume that a step is understood, you could end up with disastrous results! Be specific and thorough so there are no misunderstandings!
Like any other kind of paragraph, your process paragraph should start with a topic sentence. In this kind of pattern, you want that topic sentence to clearly and specifically identify the process that you'll be describing and explain why this process is important. Instead of supporting sentences, the body of a process paragraph describes the steps of the process, but should not be a simple list. Using complete sentences and appropriate transitional phrases will keep your writing formal but interesting. Finally, you should include a concluding sentence that restates the importance or the purpose of the process you've described. Your concluding sentence might also mention the results your reader should expect from this process, or provide the reader with references for other sources of information.
Transitional Phrases:
First Before To begin with...
Last After Once you have...
Eventually Afterward Finally