First Grade English: Informative & "How-To" Procedural Writing
Did you know that you are already an expert on many wonderful real-world skills? You know how to build a tall block tower that doesn't topple, how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, how to brush your teeth clean, and how to put on a winter snowsuit! In the writing workshop, teaching someone how to do something or explaining true facts about the world is called informative writing or procedural "How-To" writing. In this chapter, you will master the art of writing clear, numbered step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow successfully.
What Is "How-To" Writing?
A "how-to" text is a special kind of informative writing that gives instructions to teach the reader how to complete a specific task from beginning to end.
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| THE HOW-TO RECIPE ANATOMY |
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| 1. CLEAR TITLE : Announces the goal |
| "How to Wash a Muddy Dog" |
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| 2. MATERIALS LIST : What supplies are needed? |
| Warm water, tub, dog shampoo, towel|
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| 3. NUMBERED STEPS : Step-by-step chronological actions |
| Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4... |
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| 4. HELPFUL TIP/ENDING: A final encouraging wrap-up! |
| "Now your dog is clean and fluffy!"|
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The Exactness Rule: Don't Skip Any Steps!
Imagine if you wrote a how-to guide on making a sandwich, but you forgot to tell the reader to open the bread bag! The reader would be trying to spread jelly onto plastic! A great how-to author assumes the reader knows nothing about the task and explains every tiny step with crystalline clarity.
The Recipe of Sequential Words
In how-to writing, transition words guide the reader through the physical process like a recipe.
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| PROCEDURAL TRANSITION WORDS |
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| Step 1: FIRST, gather your supplies and prepare workspace.|
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| Step 2: NEXT, perform the opening action carefully. |
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| Step 3: THEN, add the main ingredients or parts. |
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| Step 4: AFTER THAT, check your work and make adjustments. |
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| Step 5: FINALLY, complete the project and enjoy result! |
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Using Imperative Command Verbs
Notice that each step in a how-to book begins with a clear, active command verb! "Spread the peanut butter smoothly." "Pour one cup of fresh milk." "Fold the paper in half." Action verbs tell the reader's hands exactly what movement to perform.
Sample How-To Guide: How to Plant a Sunflower Seed
Let us inspect a complete first-grade how-to piece to observe all the essential elements working in harmony.
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| SAMPLE HOW-TO: PLANT A SEED |
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| How to Plant a Sunflower Seed |
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| Things You Need: A small pot, dark soil, sunflower seed, |
| and a small cup of water. |
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| Step 1: First, scoop rich, dark soil into your pot until |
| it reaches near the top rim. |
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| Step 2: Next, poke a small hole in the center of the soil |
| using your index finger, about one inch deep. |
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| Step 3: Then, drop one striped sunflower seed into the |
| hole and gently cover it with a blanket of soil. |
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| Step 4: Finally, pour a little water over the soil and |
| place the pot on a warm, sunny windowsill. |
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| Tip: Check the soil daily to keep it moist. Soon, a green |
| sprout will peek out! |
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Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Read the following scrambled steps for "How to Brush Your Teeth." Put them into their correct numbered order from 1 to 4 using the transition words First, Next, Then, and Finally: Step A: Rinse your mouth with cool water and wash off your toothbrush. Step B: Wet your toothbrush under the faucet and squeeze a pea-sized dot of toothpaste onto the bristles. Step C: Gather your toothbrush, toothpaste, and a cup of clean water. Step D: Brush your front teeth, back molars, and tongue in gentle circles for two minutes.
Exercise 2: Choose a simple daily skill you know well (such as making a bowl of cereal or tying a shoe). Write out a title, a list of items needed, and three clear, numbered steps explaining how to do it.
Exercise Solutions
Solution to Exercise 1: The correct order is:
1. First, gather your toothbrush, toothpaste, and a cup of clean water (Step C).
2. Next, wet your toothbrush under the faucet and squeeze a pea-sized dot of toothpaste onto the bristles (Step B).
3. Then, brush your front teeth, back molars, and tongue in gentle circles for two minutes (Step D).
4. Finally, rinse your mouth with cool water and wash off your toothbrush (Step A).
Solution to Exercise 2: A student could write for How to Make a Bowl of Cereal: Materials: Cereal box, bowl, spoon, and cold milk. Step 1: First, place a clean bowl on the kitchen table and pour your favorite crunchy cereal into the bowl until it is half full. Step 2: Next, slowly pour cold milk over the cereal until it covers the flakes. Step 3: Finally, take your spoon and enjoy your crunchy breakfast!