9. Genre: Procedure
Language Features of a Procedure
A procedural text is designed to guide a reader toward a goal using specific grammatical “tools.”
Procedures rely on the Imperative Mood to provide clear, direct instructions.
Command Verbs: Sentences typically begin with a Process (verb) rather than a subject.
Elliptical Subject: The “Actor” (the person doing the work) is omitted because it is understood to be the reader.
Example: “Pour the solution” instead of “You should pour the solution.”
This refers to how the language represents action and participants.
Material Processes: Dominance of “doing” words (e.g., stir, connect, heat).
Participants: Focus on concrete, technical nouns—the specific tools or ingredients (e.g., the crucible, the hydrochloric acid).
Circumstances: Heavy use of details answering where, how, or how long (e.g., “slowly,” “on the heatproof mat”).
Procedures must follow a strict chronological order to be successful.
Temporal Connectives: Use of words like First, Then, Next, and Finally to create a timeline.
Numbered Sequences: Using #. or 1. to provide a visual “pathway” for the reader to follow without skipping steps.
Procedures use precise, domain-specific vocabulary to ensure accuracy and safety.
Noun Groups: General terms are replaced with technical ones (e.g., “the glass thing” becomes “the volumetric flask”).
Measurement: Precise quantities are used (e.g., “50 mL” instead of “a bit”).
Safety Verbs: Specific actions like “Extinguish” or “Saturate” provide more clarity than “put out” or “soak.”
Using these features ensures that the text is objective and repeatable.
By removing the “I” or “You,” the focus remains entirely on the task at hand, which is essential for scientific and technical documentation.