Instructions
Checklist- Instructional (RTF 20KB)
(RTF)
Purpose
The purpose is to tell 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. These texts are usually written in the present tense.
The most common example of a procedural text is a recipe.
Types of Procedural Texts
There are different procedural texts for different purposes:-
- Texts that explain how something works or how to use instruction /operation manuals eg how to use the video, the computer, the tape recorder, the photocopier, the fax.
- Texts that instruct how to do a particular activity eg recipes, rules for games, science experiments, road safety rules.
- Texts that deal with human behaviour eg how to live happily, how to succeed.
Features
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- Goal - clearly stated (often in the heading)
- Materials - listed in order of use
- Method - the steps are chronological and are numbered or listed
- Recipes usually have the information presented in at least two basic groups: ingredients and method.
- Games instructions usually include instructions on how to play, rules of the game, method of scoring, and the number of players.
- Scientific experiments usually include the purpose of the experiment, equipment, procedure, observations and conclusion.
- focuses on generalised people rather than individuals (first you take, rather than first I take)
- the reader is often referred to in a general way, ie. pronouns (you or one)
- action verbs (imperative verbs), (cut, fold, twist, hold etc)
- simple present tense (you cut, you fold, you mix)
- 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)
Teacher Resources
Electronic
Print
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Wing Jan, L. Write Ways: Modelling Writing Forms. (1991). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Procedural Texts page 40.
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Derewianka, B. Exploring How Texts Work. (1990). Sydney: Primary Teaching Association.
Instructions page 23.
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Knapp, P. & Watkins, M. Context-Text-Grammar (1994) Text Productions.
The genre of instructing page 75.
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Ministry of Education. The Learner as a Reader NZ: Learning Media.
Close Reading - Instructions page 125, 126.
