Procedural Text

A mini-lesson brought to you bySheon

The Purpose . . .

• A procedure tells the reader how to do or make something.

• The information is presented in a logical sequence of events, which is broken up into small sequenced steps.

• The most common example of a procedural text is a recipe.

Types of Procedural Text

Texts that instruct how to do a particular activity:

• Recipes• Rules for Games• Science Experiments• Road Safety Rules• How-to Instruction Manuals

Types of Procedural Text

Texts that instruct how to operate things:• How to operate an appliance• How to operate a machine• How to operate the photocopier• How to operate the computer

Features of a Procedure

A procedure usually has four components.

Headings, subheadings, numbered steps, diagrams, photographs are often used to help clarify instructions.

One

Goals or Aim:

States what is to be done

Two

Materials:

Listed in order of use includes items needed to

complete task

Three

Method:

A series of steps

Four

Evaluation:

How the success of the procedure can be tested

Language of the Text:

• Is written in the simple present tense (do this, do that)

• Focuses on generalized people rather than individuals (first you take, rather than first I take)

• The reader is often referred to in a general way, i.e. pronouns (you or one)

• Action verbs ( cut, fold, twist, hold, etc.)

Language of the Text:

• Linking words to do with time (first, when, then) are used to connect the text

• Detailed information on how (carefully, with the scissors); where (from the top); when (after it has set)

• Detailed factual description (shape, size, colour, amount)