PROCEDURE
What is it?

Procedures tell us how to do something. They are very useful teaching tools and are found in many different places such as cookbooks, jigsaw building instructions, map directions to your friend's house. They may be spoken, written or visual. The way a procedure is written will change according to its purpose and the intended audience.

Purpose:
The main purpose of a procedure is to:
• direct
• inform
• instruct

Types of procedures

1
One type of procedure instructs you how to do a particular activity.

How to make silly putty
Instruction manual:
How to make your own electric circuit
Cookbook recipe:
How to cook an omelette

Types of procedures

2
A second type of procedure gives directions. This type of procedure relies on someone having the knowledge and passing it on.


Procedure structure
1 Goal
Procedures don't always use a separate title. If they do have a title, it is short and simple. Instead they have a goal or an aim - what the procedure expects you to achieve at the end.

Read the boxes below. Which do you think would be the best goal for a procedure?

Last night at dinner



✖
Why do bees dance?



✖
A guide to bushwalking




✖
How to tie shoelaces



✔


Procedure structure
2 List of Materials
A list of materials or equipment that is needed for the procedure. This is usually listed in order of use. It also has a subheading to help organise the information.

Read the equipment lists in the boxes below and try to work out what they will be used to make. Reveal the answers underneath when you think you have worked it out.

* two slices of bread
* butter or margarine
* a slice of cheese
* two or three slices of   tomato
* a knife
* a plate
* thin white cardboard
* texta pens
* party decorations
* glue
* sticky tape
* scissors
* tape measure
* a plastic bottle
* a balloon
* vinegar
* bicarb soda
* cloth wipes


Procedure structure
3 Sequenced Steps
This is the most important part of the procedure. The steps must be in the correct order to instruct. Each step should be written in a separate sentence to show a 'chain of events'. These steps are usually numbered to make them easy to follow. The steps are also found under a subheading such as: 'Method', 'Let's do it' or 'Process'.

The steps should focus on what to do and they should use lots of action or commanding verbs.

A 'chain of events' for making toast.
Click each event in the chain to see what to do in the correct order.

1. Get an adult to turn on the toaster.
2. Put the bread in the toaster.
3. Push the lever on the toaster down.
4. Wait until the toast pops up.
5. Take the toast out of the toaster and put your favourite spread on the toast.
Procedure structure
4 Diagrams
This is a very important part of the procedure. Diagrams help to make the written steps easier to understand. The diagrams can also contain extra information such as safety warnings or guidelines that are not in the sequenced steps.
For example: How to bake a cake
1. It is important to make sure you have all the materials you need before you begin.
2. It is a good idea to do it with a friend. It is more fun that way!
3. Always get an adult to help you when you are working with hot food or appliances.
Example Text: Procedure

Ingredients

3 eggs (large)
ham
cheese
1 tomato
2 button mushrooms Utensils

frying pan
oil spray
spoon
fork bowl
knife
grater
How to Make an Omelette

Method:
1. Crack each egg into the bowl.
2. Mix the eggs thoroughly with a fork.
3. Slice the ham and grate the cheese before adding to the egg mix.
4. Finely chop the tomato and the mushrooms and add to the egg mix.
5. Gently stir the ingredients until combined.
6. Cover the base of the frying pan with oil spray, or the omelette will stick.
7. Preheat the frying pan on a moderate heat.
8. Pour the egg mixture into the frying pan and stir so the egg mix does not burn.
9. When it is cooked, place the omelette on a plate and enjoy as a tasty snack.


Look at the pictures below and number the boxes to put them in the correct sequence.
Procedure – Structure features

How to Make an Omelette
Ingredients

3 eggs (large)
ham
cheese
1 tomato
2 button
mushrooms

Utensils

frying pan    bowl
oil spray      knife
spoon         grater
fork
Method:
1. Crack each egg into the bowl.
2. Mix the eggs thoroughly with a fork.
3. Slice the ham and grate the cheese before adding to the egg mix.
4. Finely chop the tomato and the mushrooms and add to the egg mix.
5. Gently stir the ingredients until combined.
6. Cover the base of the frying pan with oil spray, or the omelette will stick.
7. Preheat the frying pan on a moderate heat.
8. Pour the egg mixture into the frying pan and stir so the egg mix does not burn.
9. When it is cooked, place the omelette on a plate and enjoy as a tasty snack.
Goal or aim of the procedure
List of materials needed
Use of subheadings
Numbered steps in order
Diagrams or illustrations
Procedure: Language features

How to Make an Omelette
Ingredients

3 eggs (large)
ham
cheese
1 tomato
2 button
mushrooms

Utensils

frying pan    bowl
oil spray      knife
spoon         grater
fork
Method:
1. Crack each egg into the bowl.
2. Mix the eggs thoroughly with a fork.
3. Slice the ham and grate the cheese before adding to the egg mix.
4. Finely chop the tomato and the mushrooms and add to the egg mix.
5. Gently stir the ingredients until combined.
6. Cover the base of the frying pan with oil spray, or the omelette will stick.
7. Preheat the frying pan on a moderate heat.
8. Pour the egg mixture into the frying pan and stir so the egg mix does not burn.
9. When it is cooked, place the omelette on a plate and enjoy as a tasty snack.
Noun groups
Conjunctions
Lots of action verbs
Some adverbs
General nouns
Technical language
Adverbial phrases
Short statements or commands
Present tense
No personal pronouns
Causal connectives
Procedure: Structure and language features

Graphic organizer Procedure

Timelines are very useful when planning a procedure. They help you gather and organize your information.
Below is an example of a timeline on the topic of how to make a salad sandwich.

Graphic organizer: Procedure

Use the timeline below to help you organize your information for your own procedure.

Scaffold: Procedure
Introduction: (goal or aim)


List of materials needed:
*
*
*
*
*

*
*
*
*
*
Action plan: (sequence of steps in the correct order - they should begin with a command or action verb)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Visual elements to be used: (e.g. timeline)
➜
➜
➜
➜
➜
Revision checklist: Procedure
Criteria Always Some Rarely Ideas for revision
1. Do I have a goal or an aim?
2. Is the goal or aim clear and easily understood?
3. Have I listed all the materials needed?
4. Are the steps written in order?
5. Have I numbered each step?
6. Have I used appropriate action verbs to give instructions?
7. Does my writing instruct or direct?
8. Have I used diagrams, illustrations or charts?
9. Have I used simple nouns and noun groups?
10. Have I used conjunctions to sequence the events so       they flow?
11. Have I used action verbs to start sentences?
12. Have I used adverbial phrases to give details as to how,       where and why things happen?
13. Have I used present tense all the time?
14. Have I edited my work to correct spelling and       punctuation mistakes?


Click on the action verbs in the following sentences to make them glow. There are 10 to find.
• Open the piece of paper.
 • Combine all the ingredients in the bowl.
• Carefully turn the burger over and cook for 5 minutes.
 • Wrap the bottle in plastic to protect it.
 • Pour the mixture into the bowl and watch what happens.
 • Before you turn the corner, check to see that it is safe.
 • When you are finished, clean up the mess.

0/10

Well done, you found all the places for the speech marks!

Oops. Better luck next time.

There were 10 to find. You made   10   attempts and got 10 correct.

You used the hint button time.