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33 Excellent Procedural Writing Ideas

Procedural Writing Ideas, Prompts, and Resources for You and Your Writers While procedural might sound like an advanced writing genre for elementary school, your students have already undoubtedly encountered examples of it in their daily lives. You see…

Procedural Writing Prompts

In all actuality, procedural writing is simply a fancy term for the kinds of instructions and directions we all see when we do everyday things like reading the directions on a microwave meal or following a tutorial to set up a new online account. (This form of writing is also called “How-to writing” or the”How-tos” writing process.)

Now…

Following a piece of procedural writing is one thing, but young students should also learn how to write and craft their own procedural texts in order to convey information and explain basic tasks to others.

Procedural Topic Ideas and Prompts

In our excellent set of 33 procedural writing prompts for elementary school students, you’ll find exercises your students can use to learn how to first break a task down into its component parts—and then how to convey that information to someone else.

Yes!

Use our prompts to guide your students in creating procedural writing that is clear, simple, and easy to follow and understand. It’s a great activity to introduce to your writers and can be fun for the whole group of students.

Ok, without further ado, let’s get to that list of procedural writing prompts. Enjoy.

33 Procedural Writing Prompts for Elementary Students

  1. Use procedural writing to write a recipe that explains how to be a good friend to others.
  2. Use procedural writing to write a recipe that explains how to make a toasted grilled cheese sandwich.
  3. Use procedural writing to write a recipe that explains how to make the perfect ice cream sundae.
  4. Write a recipe that explains how to make breakfast in bed for someone on his or her birthday.
  5. Write a recipe that explains how to make your favorite snack.
  6. Use procedural writing to create a diagram that explains how to draw a person.
  7. Use procedural writing to create a diagram that explains how to add and subtract simple numbers.
  8. Create a diagram that explains how tall you and your friends are in comparison to one another.
  9. Create a diagram that explains how to tell if you need an umbrella before going outside.
  10. Create a diagram that explains how to tell the difference between the amounts that various coins and bills are worth.
  11. Create a diagram that explains how to get dressed in the morning.
  12. Create a diagram that explains how to ride a bicycle.
  13. Use procedural writing to write a bullet-point list that explains how to test what might be wrong when your computer freezes.
  14. Use procedural writing to write a bullet-point list that explains how to brush and floss your teeth.
  15. Use procedural writing to write a bullet-point list that explains some good safety rules to follow when playing outside.
  16. Write a bullet-point list that explains how to play with a dog.
    Kids Procedural Writing Topics
  17. Use procedural writing to write a bullet-point list that explains some good tips for exercising.
  18. Write a bullet-point list that explains different strategies for being a good student.
  19. Use procedural writing to write a step-by-step guide that explains how to draw a picture of a house.
  20. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to write a thank you note.
  21. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to clean your room.
  22. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to test the odds of getting heads or tails when flipping a coin.
  23. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to apologize to someone for hurting their feelings.
  24. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to decorate a Christmas tree.
  25. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to make your own pizza.
  26. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to play your favorite board game or card game.
  27. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to behave during school.
  28. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to set the table for dinner.
  29. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to have a relaxing Saturday.
  30. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to load or unload the dishwasher.
  31. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to write a book report.
  32. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to study for a spelling test.
  33. Write a step-by-step guide that explains how to pick out a special present for someone.

I hope you enjoyed the procedural writing prompts.

Now, let’s explore some procedural writing resources.

Examples of Procedural Writing

In order for your students to generate their very own piece of writing — one that they can be proud of, hopefully! — writers should pick a form that interests them the most.

For example…

A writer’s procedural pieces could take the form of maps, guidebooks, and tutorials.

But for younger elementary school students, we recommend starting with simple types of procedural writing topics such as how-to guides, recipes, diagrams, step-by-step guides, or a mini-lesson on a how-to topic they love (with bullet points and at least a few detailed steps). Of course, the final productions could be a mixture of these ideas if that better suits your writers’ tastes.

According to Study.com, some more procedural writing examples include:

  • Directions: driving directions to the airport
  • Recipes: how to bake chocolate chip cookies
  • Standard Operating Procedures: how to handle a refund
  • Online Help: how to track document changes
  • Technology Manuals: how to use your cell phone
  • Science Projects: how to make a paperclip float

Now, let’s look at some…

Graphic Organizer Examples

Check out the following sample procedural writing graphic organizers/worksheets. They are useful tools to help young writers understand how to visually organize their writing. All writers need to do is follow the easy steps!

Procedural writing

Step Procedure and a Complete Writing Unit

While explanatory texts are similar to procedural ones, procedural writing follows a sequential order and explains both the how and why behind a process. Outlining a step-by-step procedure — or numbered steps — with specific instructions and doing it well is the primary goal of this form of writing.

Of course, proper word choice to support the steps and guide the reader is also essential.

We suggest you use this form of writing with all your writers, but especially with those who are not the biggest fans of this art form. Here’s why…

At literacyideas.com, they wisely state that:

“As a comparatively straightforward nonfiction genre, procedural texts in their many forms are often easier to grasp for those students who don’t possess a natural affinity for writing than some of the more creative writing genres.

The learning of a series of criteria will ensure that even weaker students can produce coherent and successful procedural texts.

So… there you go. Now you’ve got all the ingredients in hand to put this form of writing into action in your classroom. Oh, and here are two more excellent online resources to support you. Here is a procedural writing unit lesson plan suited for 4th and 5th grade and here is a spectacular article to support first-grade and second-grade students.

Now all that’s left is for you and your writers to get to it and write on…

If you enjoyed these Procedural Writing Prompts for Elementary School Students, please share them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. I appreciate it!

Sincerely,
Jill
journalbuddies.com
creator and curator

Procedural Writing
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