SVG defines 6 types of path commands, for a total of 20 commands:

• MoveTo: M, m
• LineTo: L, l, H, h, V, v
• Cubic Bezier Curve: C, c, S, s
• Quadratic Bezier Curve: Q, q, T, t
• Elliptical Arc Curve: A, a
• ClosePath: Z, z

Example:

One, perhaps surprising thing, is that an M or m instruction separates one path from another as far as animation is concerned. So that if a set of steps is one continuous series of h and v attributes then it is animated as one thing. However, if an m or M is inserted the two halves are animated at the same time.

Use the duration element in the animation to sequence that separate paths are drawn one after another. A comment in this page demonstrates how to do this.