Second Grade English: Procedural Writing: Step-by-Step "How-To" Guides

Have you ever taught someone how to tie their shoes, wash a dog, make a paper airplane, or score a goal in soccer? When you teach someone how to accomplish a specific task step by step, you are engaging in procedural writing. A "How-To" guide is a form of informational text designed to guide a reader through a task from start to finish without making mistakes. To be successful, procedural writing must be crystal clear, meticulously organized in chronological order, and explicit about every single action. In this chapter, you will master the architecture of a How-To guide, learn how to write imperative command sentences, and discover the importance of materials lists.

The Architecture of a How-To Guide

A well-crafted How-To guide follows an unmistakable three-part structure.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
|                    HOW-TO GUIDE ARCHITECTURE                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                 |
|   1. TITLE & GOAL:                                              |
|      Clearly announces what will be created or accomplished!    |
|      "How to Build a Sturdy Snowman"                            |
|                                                                 |
|   2. MATERIALS / INGREDIENTS LIST:                              |
|      Everything the reader must gather BEFORE starting!         |
|      (Bullet points or boxed checklist)                         |
|                                                                 |
|   3. NUMBERED SEQUENTIAL STEPS:                                 |
|      Numbered in chronological order using imperative verbs     |
|      and transition words (First, Next, Then, Finally).         |
|                                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

The Materials List: Preparation Comes First

Never let your reader begin a project only to discover on Step 4 that they are missing a vital tool! Always begin with a complete materials checklist: Materials Needed:
- 1 sheet of heavy construction paper

- 1 pair of safety scissors

- 1 bottle of liquid glue

- 1 box of colored crayons

Writing Clear Imperative Action Steps

In procedural writing, sentences are written as direct commands (imperative sentences) that tell the reader exactly what physical action to take. Start your steps with strong action verbs!

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
|                 WEAK STEPS VS. STRONG ACTION STEPS              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Weak Step:   "You might want to take some paper and fold it."  |
|  (Vague and confusing! How do they fold it? Which way?)         |
|                                                                 |
|  Strong Step: "First, fold the construction paper in half       |
|                hamburger-style by matching the short edges."    |
|  (Precise, clear, and commanding!)                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

The "Alien Test" for Procedural Writing

Imagine an alien from outer space landed in your kitchen and tried to follow your guide to make a peanut butter sandwich. If you write: "Put peanut butter on bread," the alien might place the unopened glass jar of peanut butter on top of a loaf of bread! You must be specific: "Use a butter knife to scoop two tablespoons of peanut butter from the jar and spread it across the bread."

The Complete Model: How to Plant a Flower Seed

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
|                   HOW TO PLANT A SUNFLOWER SEED                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Materials: 1 small clay pot, potting soil, 2 sunflower seeds,   |
|             1 small watering cup with water                     |
|                                                                 |
|  Step 1: Fill the clay pot with rich potting soil until it sits |
|          one inch below the top rim.                            |
|  Step 2: Press your thumb one inch into the soil to create a    |
|          small hole.                                            |
|  Step 3: Drop the two sunflower seeds gently into the hole.     |
|  Step 4: Cover the seeds with loose soil and pat down lightly.  |
|  Step 5: Pour half a cup of water over the soil until damp.     |
|  Step 6: Place the pot in a sunny windowsill and water daily!   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Write a complete Materials List for someone who wants to brush their teeth.

Exercise 2: Write three clear, numbered sequential steps explaining how to wash your hands properly, using strong imperative action verbs and sequence transitions (First, Next, Finally).

Exercise Solutions

Solution to Exercise 1: Materials List: 1 toothbrush, 1 tube of toothpaste, a sink with running water, and 1 clean hand towel.

Solution to Exercise 2: A student could write: Step 1: First, turn on the warm water faucet and wet your hands thoroughly. Step 2: Next, apply liquid soap and rub your palms, backs of hands, and between fingers for twenty seconds to create thick lather. Step 3: Finally, rinse all soap bubbles away under running water and dry your hands completely with a clean towel.