This diagram illustrates the process of paper-making.
(This diagram shows how paper is made.)

First / First of all, logs are delivered to a paper mill, where the bark is removed and the wood is cut into small chips.

Next / Second, the wood chips are pulped, either using chemicals or in a pulping machine.

Pulping breaks down the internal structure of the wood and enables / allows the natural oils to be removed.

Once the wood has been pulped, the pulp is bleached in order to remove impurities.
(After the wood has been pulped, the pulp is bleached so that impurities can be removed.)

The next stage is to feed the pulp into the paper machine, where it is mixed with water and then poured onto a wire conveyor belt.

As the pulp travels along the conveyor belt, the water drains away. This causes the solid material to sink to the bottom, forming a layer of paper.

At this point the new paper is still wet, so it is passed between large heated rollers, which press out the remaining water and simultaneously dry the paper/…dry the paper at the same time.

The final stage is to wind the paper onto large rolls.
(Finally, the paper is wound onto large rolls.)

Grammar

• Tense: present simple
• Voice: passive voice

Words and collocations

Sequencing the process

• First / First of all
• In the initial stages of the process…
• Next / Second
• The next stage/step is to...
• After that
• Next
• Following that
• Subsequently
• Once
• At this point
• Finally
• The final stage/step is to..
• The process ends with + noun

Describing a process

• a complex/simple process
• a lengthy/short process
• a man-made/natural process
• the process consists of (several stages)…
• the process involves…
• the first/next step is to put something into a machine, where it is + (passive voice)

Show the purpose of a process

• in order to do something

  Once the wood has been pulped, the pulp is bleached in order to remove impurities.

• so that something can be done

  After the wood has been pulped, the pulp is bleached so that impurities can be removed.

• so as to do something

  I drove at a steady 50 mph so as to save fuel.