Procedure Text

     Procedure text is a text that is designed to describe how something is achieved through a sequence of actions or steps. It explains how people perform different processes in a sequence of steps. This text uses simple present tense, often imperative sentences. It also uses the temporal conjunction such as first, second, then, next, finally, etc.

The generic structures of procedure text are :

1. Goal : Title of the text (especially for a recipe)

2. Materials : Optional, not for all procedural texts

3. Steps : a series steps oriented to achieving the Goal

 Generic Features

1. The use of Simple Present Tense, often in an imperative form e.g. Add some sugar, prepare it,.

2. The use mainly of temporal conjunction (or numbering to indicate sequence especially in written text)

As the sentence introducers (sequencers) especially in spoken text:

First … Firstly …

Second … Secondly …

Then … Thirdly …

After that … Afterwards …

Finally … Lastly …

e.g. Firstly, prepare some water!

As time introducers, especially in written text

… before …

After …

When …

While …

… until …

During …

e.g. While you are boiling the water, grind the chilies, onions and salt

Example: 

How to Make Tomato Soup

To make a bowl of tomato soup, you must prepare all ingredients below:

• 4 large tomatoes
• spices
• 1 small onion
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 8 cups of water
• ¼ teaspoon of pepper
• small clove garlic
•  ¼ teaspoon of butter

Here are the steps to make a bowl of tomato soup:

1. Cut tomatoes, onions, and garlic into small pieces.
2. Fry them in a pan with butter for five minutes.
3. Add water, spices, salt and pepper.
4. Heat until the water boils.
5. Turn down the heat and cover with lid. Cook gently for one hour.