Procedure texts explain how to realize a certain goal by means of actions which are at least partially temporally organized.
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A procedure text can be a simple, ordered list of instructions to reach a goal, but it can also be less linear, outlining
different ways to realize something, with arguments, advices, conditions, hypothesis, preferences. It also often contains a number of recommendations, warnings, and
comments of various types.
d. Grammatical Features of Procedure Text
The following are some of the grammatical feature of procedure text
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: Action Verb
It is used to represent the processes involved in completing a task, for instance:
Spread the bread with the jam.
Pour the water into the pan.
Adverb It is often used to qualify verbs and to provide extrra information
about how a task should be completed, for instance:
Add the ingredients slowly. Stir the tea carefully.
Temporal connective It is used to ensure processes are placed in the correct order of
time, for instance:
First melt the butter, then add the flour.
6
Estelle Delpech Patrick Saint-Dizier, Investigating the Structure of Procedural Texts: Identification of Titles and Instructions, JADT Journées I
nternationales d’Analyse statistique des Données Textuelles, 2008.
7
Peter Knapp Megan Watkins, op. cit., pp.156-157
e. Organisation of procedure text
According to Hodge and William, organization is basically a system of coordinated social units concerned with accomplishment of certain goal.
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Therefore, organisation of procedure text means a well organized system that concerned with the
way how a certain goal has to be achieved when someone want to make or to do something. The organisation of procedure text is more common called by generic
structure. The organisation of procedure text can be explained specifically as follow: 1
First, procedure texts generally begin with the goal of the task, which is used as a title
, for instance, ‘How to Make a cup of coffee’. 2
After the goal, a list of material that includes equipments and ingredients is required to complete the task.
3 In the final, the text end with the sequence of steps specifying how
the goal is to be achieved. The organisation of procedure text focuses on instructional texts in sequence
of action. It is organised in temporal sequences that are identified by the use of numbers such as 1, 2, 3 etc. or temporal connectives such as then, next, after that.
It indicates an ability to deal with aspects of grammar by action verbs, and the temporal nature of sequencing, represented in the grammar by temporal connectives.
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The following are examples of procedure text genre recipes based on the organisation mention above:
Example 1: Goal
How to Make a cup of Coffee List of Material
Equipment:
8
B.J. Hodge William P. Anthony, Organization Theory 2
nd
Ed., Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Inc ,1984, p. 10
9
Peter Knapp Megan Watkins, op. cit., p.156
