What is procedural writing?

Procedural writing is the ability to give directions effectively in your writing.

Think of situations that require you to follow a set of procedural instructions. Make a list. Choose one of the situations you discussed and locate an example of the procedure, either written or digital. How is this different from other forms of writing?

Components of a procedure

A procedure has three main components:

• A title (purpose)
• A list of required material
• A set of numbered instructions

Title

What is the purpose of the writing? A well written title should be clear and specific. For example, which of the following titles do you think is better?

• How to Build a Snowman
• Snowmen Can Be Fun to Build

Press the ‘Answer’ button to know more.

Answer

In a science experiment, you will also need to indicate instructions for the person following your procedure to come up with a hypothesis or prediction. (Do not provide an actual prediction for the reader).

List of materials

What is needed? Include any necessary safety precautions such as handling any hazardous or dangerous materials or handling delicate equipment such as a balance scale. Think of our snowman example. Remember you have to include everything needed to build the snowman, not just the materials used to build it. Your list should include things like: snow, coal, felt hat, scarf, carrot. It could also include tools to make the job easier: wagon, pail, shovel, etc.

Numbered instructions

A Set of Numbered Instructions:

1. Begin with a small snowball
2. Roll the snowball in fresh snow and build it bigger
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 (twice)
4. Stack the three snowballs, placing the biggest at the bottom
5. Add details (hat, carrot nose, etc.) to your snowman to make him come to life

Procedures often also include the following:

• series of diagrams to accompany the instructions (images are often used to help convey furniture assembly)
• subheadings for each part that comes after the title (subheadings help organize the directions into manageable piece for the reader to follow)
• any extra advice or rules (for a board game or sports)
• if there are 1-2 smaller steps that are part of one overall step you can include them under one numbered step

Example: Part of Instructions for a DIY Hydrometer

Consider this small part of the instructions to construct and calibrate a hydrometer. It is part of a sample for a procedure that is missing the last step. The steps to construct and calibrate a hydrometer can be grouped as follows:

1. Seal off one end of a straw with something that will seal the end of the straw and give it some weight (melted wax works best, or try gum, or plasticine).
2. Fill a narrow glass tube or graduated cylinder and fill it with 100 mL or $\frac{1}{2}$ cup of water.

3. Place the straw with the sealed end towards the bottom. If the straw is too buoyant and floats up out of the graduated cylinder more than 2.5 cm, it will need a bit more weight. You can put in a metal nail in the open end of the straw to weight it down. Make sure the sealed end of the straw (hydrometer) does not sink to the bottom of the cylinder. Make sure the straw does not lean or touch the sides of the cylinder or glass tube.
4. Take the measuring tape and measure the length of the upper part of the straw that is sitting out of the water. Use the meniscus of the water as a reference to measure.
5. Take the straw/hydrometer out of the water and starting from the top (or open end of the straw) measure the length and mark it on the straw.

Notice in step 3, there are other possible steps that are related to step 3.

Notice the steps for calibrating the hydrometer are separated into steps 4 and 5.

When you write your own procedural writing, use your judgement in how you group smaller steps in the instructions.

Select a few key steps to provide a diagram, photo or image to help the reader better understand how to position equipment, and how a set-up should look and/or what they should be seeing if they are following the instructions correctly.

Reread the steps in part of the sample procedure for making and building a hydrometer. For which steps would a diagram be useful? Sometimes a diagram is necessary, especially for individuals who learn and work well with visuals.

If possible, work with a partner and think of which steps would be clearer to have a diagram accompanying that step. Briefly research on the Internet some diagrams or videos on how to construct and calibrate a DIY hydrometer. Practice making 1-3 diagrams to go along with the sample procedure. Practice labelling and providing captions for each diagram you make.

There is one last step to add to this procedure. Write the last step. What is the line that is marked in step 5 for?

In the instructions, provide important information to help keep the reader on track. If there are any important safety procedures, highlight the information or underline it.

Write your own procedure

Now that you are familiar with writing a procedure, you are ready to write a procedure for a science experiment, investigation, or any procedural writing you are tasked with by your teacher.

Remember to write a first draft in a formal instructional style using third person and present tense. You can then revise your draft to make sure you used and stayed in present tense and consistently remained in third person.

Create your procedural text using a method of your choice. You can use the Procedural Text Graphic Organizer below to support your procedural writing.

Press the Activity button to access the Procedural Text Graphic Organizer.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Revise and Edit

If possible, ask someone to explore your procedural writing when it is completed, or you can edit your own writing, using the following criteria:

• the writing is well organized and follows the steps appropriately
• the content includes description and clear steps to follow
• the proper elements of a procedural writing piece are all included

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

I feel...

I have an excellent understanding of the concepts I have a very good understanding of the concepts I have some understanding but need to review some more my understanding of the concepts needs a lot more work

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.