Procedural writing

Over the next few weeks we will be learning about procedural writing (or instruction writing). 

Today we worked on writing instructions about how to make a paper lizard. 

First we thought about what our WILF would be for procedural writing and wrote them together. We looked at some examples of these WILF on the interactive whiteboard. 

Then we started making our paper lizards. As we were working we took brief notes on our whiteboards which we could use when we went to write our instructions. 

Next we wrote our instructions into our Reasons to Write. 

Then we looked back at the WILF we had written together to check if we had included everything. We added in anything we had forgotten with our coloured pens and edited and improved our work.

Some of us had time to start thinking about how we would present our instructions if we were writing them up as an instruction leaflet.  

If you are working on procedural writing at home remember this is what we are looking for:

• A title - what is going to be made or achieved by following your instructions?
• What you need - a list of materials, ingredients, equipment or tools you might need to complete the task
• Chronological order ...... that's a fancy way of saying time order. 
• Imperative (or bossy) verbs e.g. open, mix, cook, fold, stick, turn, click
• Time connectives e.g. first, next, then, after, before, later, when, finally
• Present tense: Turn over the paper (not you will turn over the paper); stir the ingredients (not you stirred the ingredients) 
• Clear, simple language - Fold the paper in half is much clearer than gently lay the paper flat on the table, pick up one of the sides and bend this over to the other side. Make sure that the opposite sides line up and accurately and firmly squash the paper in half.  

These top tips can make your writing even better: 

• Make the reader excited - Ask them a question e.g. Have you ever......?  Would you like to.......? 
• Make the reader excited - Add an introduction telling the reader how amazing the final product is. 
• Think about safety - Tell your reader about any steps that might be dangerous 
• Make it sound easy - Tell the reader how easy it is to complete your instructions e.g. In just four easy steps or anyone can make this. 
• Add a top tips section - Add some bonus information to help your readers. These could help them with a tricky part or give them different ways of making the finished product even better.