“What is a procedural text and how can I write it?”
If this is a question that’s on your mind, we can help answer it!
Here’s our guide on how to write a procedural text in primary school. We’ll teach you all about what a procedural text is, its purposes, include some examples, as well as its key structure to help you get started with writing.
Let’s get into it!
What is a Procedural Text?
What is the Purpose of a Procedural Text?
What are some examples of Procedural Texts?
What are the main features of a Procedural Text?
How do we write and structure a Procedural Text?
Procedural Text Structure
What is a Procedural Text?
A procedural text is any piece of writing that gives step-by-step instructions on how to do or make something. It comes from the word “procedure” where you have to follow an order of steps to achieve a goal.
Fun fact, procedural texts belong in the non-fiction section of the library, as they are used in everyday life!
What is the Purpose of a Procedural Text?
Procedural texts can take different forms but they all share the same purpose — to give directions on how to do or make something!
These texts give important information and instructions on how to do something correctly so it’s safe, fast and works well.
For example, the IKEA manual is a procedural text that gives instructions on how to build a safe and stable table. This way, you can rest assured knowing that your table won’t fall apart during dinner!
What are some examples of Procedural Texts?
We use procedural texts everyday at every corner of our lives! Here are some examples of procedural texts that you may have come across:
Instruction manual
An instruction manual is a type of procedural text that provides step-by-step instructions on how to perform a particular task or operate a product. The purpose of an instruction manual is to guide the user through a process or procedure, ensuring that they can successfully complete the task or use the product in a safe and efficient manner.
The language used in an instruction manual is typically clear and concise, with precise and unambiguous instructions that leave no room for interpretation or confusion. The manual may include diagrams, illustrations, or photographs to provide visual aids and clarify any difficult concepts or steps.
Instruction manuals are commonly used in various fields, such as electronics, machinery, household appliances, and automotive industries. In addition to providing guidance to users, instruction manuals can also help manufacturers reduce the risk of liability by clearly outlining the proper use and maintenance of their products.
Recipes
Let’s say we’re in a kitchen and you peek over the counter to see your parents’ using a recipe book, which is another type of procedural text.
Recipes have instructions to teach readers how to cook something. It is often structured with headings that include ingredients, methods and steps with a few pictures to help readers understand the process.
Directions
Have you ever listened to the GPS from your parents’ cars?
Directions from the GPS are also another example of a procedural text. It uses specific instructions such as the name of the location, the time it takes to get there and whether you make a left or right turn to steer you guys down the right path.
The GPS may also use a picture of the map to help you see which way you’re going and what move to make next so you get to your destination correctly!
Rules of games
Let’s say you’re playing a board game and you find a rulebook that outlines “how to play” the game.
That’s another example of a procedural text! The rulebook presents the steps you need to take to set, play and win the game. The style of writing and language is important here to help readers understand how to play. Images can be useful too to make the game easy to understand.
Safety procedures
“Wee woo wee woo! This is a fire safety drill, please exit via…”
This is something you’ve probably heard when your school is running a fire safety drill. Surprise surprise, this is also another example of a procedural text too.
Your teachers give instructions on how to stay safe if there’s a fire in an orderly manner, such as leaving your bags behind, then lining up at the classroom door and exiting with a partner into the field.
So, there’s no real escape from procedural texts as they’re everywhere in our everyday lives!
As you can see, procedural texts are just about everywhere around us! Your child should aim to both write and interpret these texts by building their reading comprehension skills. If you’re looking for resources, check out our FREE Reading Comprehension Workshops for Year 1 Students.
What are the main features of a Procedural Text?
Procedural texts can take up many forms but here are some of its main features that are the most common among them. It is useful to know these features to help you write out your own procedural text!
Numbered Steps
By numbering the steps from first to last, it helps the reader to follow the order of steps in the correct way.
Time Phrases
Time phrases including “first”, “next” and “then” set an order to the actions so the reader can understand which steps to follow first.
Verb Starters
Steps often start with a verb to tell the reader to do an action. Common bossy verbs you may have come across include “cut”, “take” or “hold”.
Second Person
Second person nouns such as “you”, “your” and “yours” refer to the reader directly to carry out the steps.
Facts
Procedural texts are non-fictional texts so there is no room for imagination here. Instead, it uses factual descriptions of the object or task such as its shape, size, colour, duration and amount to help readers understand your directions clearly.
Present Tense
It’s only right to write procedural texts in present tense as the reader is most likely to act out the steps as they read or soon after they read the steps.
How do we write and structure a Procedural Text?
#1: Planning
Before we start writing, it is always best to plan first.
The most important thing to think about is the goal or aim of your procedural text. This will set out the main path of your writing.
Then you can think about the rest of the things that make up your procedural text. For your materials, you may want to think about the type or number of ingredients, resources or tools your readers may need to carry out some tasks.
You may also think about the steps in terms of its number, order and how to organise it in a neat layout so the steps are clear. Pictures may be something to consider as well if you want to help your readers imagine what the process may look like.
Use our free Procedural Text Template to get started with planning!
#2: Title
After we’ve done our planning, we start writing our procedural piece with a title.
The title must be written at the top of the page. Oftentimes, the title will start with “how to” or the name of the object the reader is going to make.
Titles are important. Without them, it will be hard for your readers to clearly understand what your procedural text is all about.
Here’s an example, “How to Bake a Butter Cake.”
#3: Introduction
The introduction should present the aim or goal of the text. This should be right under your title so your readers know what the end result of the procedure is. This will only take one sentence long.
Your introduction may also include a backstory behind the procedure. You may share some details in regards to what the reader is doing or making such as its importance, its features or its difficulty level. This will make your introduction two to three sentences longer.
Here’s an example,
“This recipe book will provide instructions on how to make a butter cake. A butter cake is a great treat to visitors to your home as it is enjoyed by all. So, let’s get started with this simple and easy recipe.”
#4: Materials
Next, you will list down the things that your reader needs to complete the steps.
This can be in a simple dot point list form, where the things are laid out in the order they are first used in the steps. This can make your procedural texts more organised and neat so the reader can follow your instructions easier.
The heading of the material section can depend on what type of procedural text you are writing. If you are writing a recipe, you may use “ingredients” instead of “materials”. However, if you are writing a manual on how to build a chair, you may use “equipment” or “tools”.
For example,
“Ingredients:
- 250 grams butter
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoon vanilla essence
- 3 eggs…”
#5: Steps
The steps are the main part of the procedural texts as it presents the steps that the reader should follow.
Don’t forget to number your steps from first to last! This will help readers understand the order which they must follow. It can also help them to keep track of which step they’re at and what to do next.
Also, be sure to start your steps with an action verb to direct the reader on what to do. Then, your steps need to explain clearly what needs to be done and how to do it. One way to write your steps clearly is to use simple, straightforward words and short sentences. You’re in primary school after all so let’s start simple before levelling up to the harder stuff!
Here, you can also include pictures and diagrams to help your readers understand your instructions better!
For example,
“1) First, heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2) Then, grease a 7cm deep, 20cm base square cake pan with baking paper
3) Mix butter, white sugar and vanilla…”
#6: Conclusion
For the conclusion, you can write a sentence or two to help readers see if they have been successful with their work. This can include a description of the completed object or task so they can compare whether what they’ve done is correct.
You may also use a picture here to show your readers what the final goal should look like!
Example:
“To test whether your cake has been baked properly, use a skewer and insert it into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, your butter cake has been successful!”
Tips for Writing a Good Procedural Text
Now we’ve covered the basic stuff, here are some tips to write an amazing procedural text!
- Use headings to organise your title, background, steps and conclusion.
- Use terms and language that is suitable to the type of procedural text you are writing.
- Use short and simple words and sentences to present your steps clearly.
- Use labelled pictures and diagrams to help your readers understand better.
Good luck!
Procedural Text Structure
| Title | What is the title of your procedure? You may want to start with a “how to” or name what is being done or will be achieved at the end of the procedure. Eg. “How to Bake a Butter Cake.” |
| Introduction | What is the aim/goal of this procedural text? Write a sentence or two about the aim of this procedural text. You may write an additional sentence on the background of the text eg. “This recipe book will provide instructions on how to make a butter cake. A butter cake is a great treat to visitors to your home as it is enjoyed by all. So, let’s get started with this simple and easy recipe.” |
| Materials | What are the materials, resources, ingredients or tools that your reader needs to complete the task? Try to write this out in the order that the materials are first used in the steps so it is more organised. |
| Steps | Number your steps in the order it needs to be done. Start your steps with an action verb with a clear explanation on what needs to be done and how to do it. Be sure to write short instructions in present tense and in second person. You may include pictures here too. |
| Conclusion | What should the final result look like? You can write a factual description or include a picture on what the final result should be like so your readers can see whether they have been successful. |
On the hunt for other useful guides for primary school students?
Check out the various resources we have below:
- The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Recount in Primary School
- The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Persuasive Text
- The Essential List of High Modality Words for Persuasive Writing
- The Ultimate Guide to Using Persuasive Techniques for English
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Kate Lynn Law graduated in 2017 with an all rounders HSC award and an ATAR of 97.65. Passionate about mentoring, she enjoys working with high school students to improve their academic, work and life skills in preparation for the HSC and what comes next. An avid blogger, Kate had administered a creative writing page for over 2000 people since 2013, writing to an international audience since her early teenage years.
