2. Report to Procedure
2.1. Converting a Report to a Procedure
In science, different “voices”, active or passive, are utilized depending on the communicative purpose. A Procedure employs the active voice (“do”) to provide clear, direct instructions. A Report uses the passive voice (“was done”) to describe events.
This activity involves converting a past-tense report back into a set of instructions. This requires changing the mood of the sentences from declarative (stating a fact) to imperative (giving a command).
Consider the following example of a Report and its corresponding Procedure:
Report |
Procedure |
|---|---|
The acid was added carefully. |
Carefully, add the acid. |
In a Passive Voice Report:
The Participant (The acid) is at the start of the clause.
The Process (was added) uses a “to be” verb + past participle.
The Circumstance (carefully) is often after the process, giving more information about how, when, or where the action occurred.
In an Active Voice Procedure:
The Circumstance (carefully) is sometimes foregrounded at the start of the clause to set the context for the action.
The Process (add) moves to the start of the clause, as a command, immediately following any initial circumstance.
The Participant (the acid) follows the process as the direct object of the command.
To convert a Report into a Procedure, make the following changes:
Remove the Auxiliary Verb: Delete words like was or were that sit before the action.
Shift Verb Tense: Change the past participle ending (-ed) back to the present base form. Change “was replaced” to “replace”.
Reorder the Clause: Swap the position of the Participant and the Process so the action leads the way. Change “the bung was replaced” to “replace the bung”.
Reposition the Circumstances (Adverbs): Move adverbs of manner or timing (like carefully, briefly, or immediately) from the end of the sentence to the front. In a procedure, these provide important context before the reader performs the step. For example, change “The bung was removed briefly” is changed to “Briefly, remove the bung.”
Passive Report |
Active Procedure |
|---|---|
Then, the bung was replaced. |
Then, replace the bung. |
Next, the acid was added. |
Next, add the acid. |
Passive Report (Adverb at end) |
Active Procedure (Adverb at front) |
Reason |
|---|---|---|
The acid was added carefully. |
Carefully, add the acid. |
Highlights the safety requirement before the action. |
The bung was removed briefly. |
Briefly, remove the bung. |
Sets the timing expectation before the action. |
The water was monitored simultaneously. |
Simultaneously, monitor the water. |
Directs the reader to multi-task. |
2.2. Report to a Procedure
Report to a Procedure
Rewrite each report step into a clear instruction by applying the grammar shifts described above (start with the verb).
First, several marble chips were placed into a clean conical flask.
Then, a rubber bung with a delivery tube was fitted into the mouth of the flask.
Next, the other end of the delivery tube was submerged in a beaker of limewater.
After the setup was ready, the bung was removed briefly.
20 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid was added carefully to the flask.
Immediately, the bung was replaced to ensure no gas escaped.
During the reaction, effervescence was observed inside the conical flask.
The limewater was monitored simultaneously as gas bubbled through it.
After a short period, a milky white color was observed in the limewater.
Finally, the delivery tube was removed from the limewater before the reaction was stopped.
Reveal Answer Key
First, place several marble chips into a clean conical flask.
Then, fit a rubber bung with a delivery tube into the mouth of the flask.
Next, submerge the other end of the delivery tube in a beaker of limewater.
Briefly, remove the bung.
Carefully, add 20 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid to the flask.
Immediately, replace the bung to ensure no gas escapes.
During the reaction, observe the effervescence inside the conical flask.
Simultaneously, monitor the limewater as gas bubbles through it.
After a short period, observe the milky white color in the limewater.
Finally, remove the delivery tube from the limewater before the reaction is stopped.
Report to a Procedure
First, several marble chips were placed into a clean conical flask.
Then, a rubber bung with a delivery tube was fitted into the mouth of the flask.
Next, the other end of the delivery tube was submerged in a beaker of limewater.
After the setup was ready, the bung was removed briefly.
20 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid was added carefully to the flask.
Immediately, the bung was replaced to ensure no gas escaped.
During the reaction, effervescence was observed inside the conical flask.
The limewater was monitored simultaneously as gas bubbled through it.
After a short period, a milky white color was observed in the limewater.
Finally, the delivery tube was removed from the limewater before the reaction was stopped.
Reveal Answer Key
First, place several marble chips into a clean conical flask.
Then, fit a rubber bung with a delivery tube into the mouth of the flask.
Next, submerge the other end of the delivery tube in a beaker of limewater.
Briefly, remove the bung.
Carefully, add 20 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid to the flask.
Immediately, replace the bung to ensure no gas escapes.
During the reaction, observe the effervescence inside the conical flask.
Simultaneously, monitor the limewater as gas bubbles through it.
After a short period, observe the milky white color in the limewater.
Finally, remove the delivery tube from the limewater before the reaction is stopped.