Procedure Text: Definition, Characteristics, Types, Rules (Complete)

Understanding Procedure Text

Procedure text is a text that provides instructions, steps and directions so that a job can be done. This understanding is in line with the opinion of Mahsun (2014: 30), which reveals that procedural text is a text that aims to provide direction or teaching about the steps of something that has been determined.

Meanwhile, according to Priyatni (2014: 87), procedure text is a text that provides instructions or uses something with sequential steps. The Ministry of Education and Culture (2017, p.84) also provides a similar definition "Procedural text is a text that contains goals and steps that must be followed so that a job can be done".

Procedure text can be divided into two types in terms of complexity. The two types are simple procedure text and complex procedure text. Then what's the difference? Here is the explanation.

Difference between Procedure Text and Complex Procedure Text

In general, the two are actually the same. However, complex procedure texts, as the name suggests, usually have more complicated stages. Simple procedure texts only present a few steps, usually no more than three to four steps, and each step is easier to understand.

Meanwhile, in complex procedure texts, we can find the steps presented in more than five stages. Then, each step can be further elaborated through sub-stages. In addition, the steps taken tend to require special understanding from the author and even the reader.

However, that does not mean that complex procedure texts have to be difficult to digest. On the contrary, the procedure text should make it easier for the reader, even though the stages tend to be complicated. As stated by Kosasih (2013, p.61), complex procedure texts contain practical steps that can make life easier.

Continuing his explanation, Kosasih (2014, p.67) revealed that complex procedure texts are texts that explain the steps in a complete, clear, and detailed way on how to do something.

Still related to the statement above, Priyanti and Titik (2013, p.114) suggest that complex procedure texts are texts that provide instructions for doing or using something with sequential steps.

Purpose of Procedure Text

The purpose of this text is to explain the stages, activities or steps that must be taken so that the reader can properly and precisely follow a process in making, doing or using a tool.

In line with the explanation above, Priyatni (2014, p. 87) suggests that the purpose of a procedure text is to tell how something is done or made through sequential steps (Priyatni 2014, p. 87).

Then, the communicative purpose of this text is to provide instructions on how to do something through a series of actions or steps (Kemdikbud, 2017, p.84).

Procedure Text Type

There are several types of procedures when viewed from the purpose. The following are several types of procedure texts based on their purpose.

1. Procedure text to guide how to use or play an instrument. Examples are: how to use heavy equipment, how to use a guitar, how to use an app, etc.
2. Procedure to guide how to make. Examples are how to make a sponge cake, how to make a kite, etc. This type has an additional structure in the form of tools and materials. The reason is clear because, in addition to the stages, the reader must also know what tools and materials are used.
3. Procedures to guide how to do an activity. For example, how to sing, how to dance, how to do gymnastics, how to paint, etc.

Procedure text features

We can see the characteristics of this text in terms of content and language used. Here is the full presentation.

There are three characteristics of the procedure in terms of content, namely:

1. Guide the steps or stages that must be done
2. Rules, to limitations regarding tools/materials/activities to do so
3. The contents of the activities that must be carried out in sequence (if not in sequence, then they are called tips, not procedures).

Meanwhile, when viewed from the language used, the characteristics of this text are as follows:

1. Using a command sentence because the procedure text will instruct the reader to carry out an activity in steps.
2. There are sentences of suggestions and prohibitions in order to obtain maximum results when using, making.
3. Using words with accurate measurements and units (e.g., gram flour, five pieces of turmeric rhizome, etc.).
4. Using groups of sentences with clear boundaries (for example: boil until it becomes mush, fold the right end so that it forms an isosceles triangle, etc.).

Procedure Text Structure

The structure of the procedure text tends to be simple and easy to understand. The structure consists of 1) objectives, 2) tools and materials (for the type of procedure how to make), 3) steps (stages), 4) cover.

The following is the explanation, according to Priyatni (2014, p. 87), which reveals that the structure of the procedure text is divided into four parts, namely:

1.      Title

The title can be taken based on consideration of the name of the object/something to be made/done and the way of doing/using something.

2.      Purpose

It is an introduction that explains the purpose of the procedure. The form can be in the form of a statement stating the purpose of writing. Not infrequently, the goal is in the form of several introductory paragraphs that state the purpose of writing.

3.      Materials or tools(usually, for this type of procedure create)

Usually in the form of lists or details, but can also be made into paragraphs. This section is, of course, only used for certain types of procedures, such as how to do something with a specific tool or to make something that requires materials.

4.      Stages (Steps)

The stages are usually separated by number in the form of a list of stages. Stages can be indicated using sequence words such as: first, second, third and so on. Can also use words that show the order of time: now, then, after and so on. Stages can also be started with a word indicating a command: add stir, drain, heat, etc.

Meanwhile, according to Kosasih (2014, p.68), the structure of complex procedure texts includes:

1.      Purpose

It contains an introduction related to the target or the reason for the instructions that will be presented in the steps section (stages).

2.      Steps

This is the discussion section that is filled with instructions for working on something that is arranged systematically.

3.      Closing

Usually, it is enough to fill in the necessary sentences, not necessarily in the form of a conclusion.

Interesting right? There are differences, but both still refer to the same structure. Why? Because experts do not only study science, they will also try to make different interpretations of the source of learning in order to develop it.

Features of Procedure Text Language Rules

According to Priyatni (2014: 89), in general, the linguistic characteristics of procedure texts are as follows:

1. Using numbering to indicate sequence or stage,
2. Using words and sentences that show commands,
3. Use words and sentences that describe conditions.

In addition to the imperative sentences and some of the points above, this text also tends to use adverbs of the method, adverb of means, and adverb of purpose. The full description based on the book published by (Kemdikbud 2017, p. 108) is as follows.

Imperative sentence

Command sentences are sentences that contain the meaning of ordering or asking the reader to do something according to what the author wants.

Command Sentence Characteristics:

1. The intonation in the middle of the sentence rises or rises.
2. Ends with an exclamation mark (!).
3. Command sentences use an inversion pattern (the predicate precedes the subject).
4. Tend to use the particle "lah" or "kan".

Description How

Adverbials that add to the description of how to do activities or steps that will occur, for example:

1. Wrap the dough tightly.
2. Drink the liquid after stirring well.
3. By always washing hands regularly, we will avoid the covid-19 virus.

Tool Description

This adverbial describes the tools that will be used inactivity in the procedure, for example:

1. The loggers cut down trees with chainsaws.
2. Image of batik motif on cloth using canting.
3. The tailor makes clothes with traditional sewing tools.

Description of destination

This adverbial adds objective information to the sentence, for example: for, so, and so.

Description of degree/quantity

This word adds an adverb of quantity to a sentence it accompanies, for example:

1. After dyeing, remove the fabric as soon as possible.
2. Take two steps to the right and count four claps once.
3. At least the plants are fertilized once a month.

Description of terms

This adverb adds an explanation of the conditions for the occurrence of an event (if). For example: If the night used on the canting is too hot, it will damage the fabric.

Explanation of consequences

This adverb adds to the adverb of the consequences resulting from an event/activity (until, consequently, so, until, to be). Example: Fry the dough until brown.

Sentences of Suggestion/Prohibition

Procedures are made with the aim that a method can be carried out effectively and safely. So suggestions and prohibitions to prevent a dangerous action will be widely used. Example:

1. To achieve the best results, use bamboo that has been dried for at least one year.
2. Remember, don't move too fast, or your neck muscles are at risk of injury!

Using Connecting Words, Deletions, References

Steps in the guide can be associated with phrases such as then, now, next, after this. Sometimes, writers use certain words too often and cause sentences to be ineffective.

To overcome this, it is necessary to eliminate or eliminate certain parts that are the same as previously mentioned. Example:

1. Cook the glutinous rice flour and coconut milk for 30 minutes.
2. Keep stirring the cooked flour and coconut milk until thickened and brown.

Use of -I and -kan suffixes

The suffix i is used when the object in the sentence does not move. The suffix –kan is used when the object is moving. Example:

Grease the pan with butter.

Spread butter on the pan.

Language Characteristics of Complex Procedure Texts

Kosasih (2014, p.71) explains several rules of language use that apply to complex procedure texts as follows.

1. Because it is a clue, complex procedure texts will use a lot of imperative sentences.
2. The use of imperative sentences has consequences that result in many texts using imperative verbs, namely words that express orders, imperatives, or prohibitions. For example: make, create, arrange, must, don't, need, don't need.
3. In complex procedures, there are many temporal conjunctions, namely connecting conjunctions that express the time sequence of events, such as: and, then, then, after that, next. These words are present as a consequence of the steps in using something that is sequential/stages or chronologically.
4. Many use words that indicate time, such as sometime later, half an hour later, one hour later.
5. Many use adverbs of how, for example: carefully, quickly, slowly.
6. Using words that describe the sequence of activities, such as: first, second, third, fourth and so on.
7. In the type of procedure that makes something, there are many detailed descriptions of the objects used, including the number, shape, and size to be used.

Steps to Write Procedure Text

The steps for compiling a procedure text are as follows:

1.      Reviewing the procedure to be written

It means finding out, researching and making sure that we know a good procedure to do or make something.

2.      List the tools/materials and steps needed

List in advance the tools and materials needed to be based on the procedures that have been reviewed.

3.      Editing and revising text

After registering and starting to write text spontaneously based on the list of tools/materials and steps needed, edit and revise the various errors that may occur.

Steps to Write a Complex Procedure Text

To produce a complex procedure text, writing a manual requires more planned steps and more thorough preparation. The materials must also be based on clear and more accountable sources.

The steps for writing complex procedure texts, according to Kosasih (2013, p.97), are as follows.

1. Determine the general theme of the essay or the topic of the essay
2. Gather information sources
3. List topics that can be developed into an outline with sources on the collected materials
4. Sort the topics correctly, whether it's in chronological order, important not important, cause and effect, or other appropriate patterns.
5. Develop frameworks into a clear and correct guide.

Example of Procedure Text

Examples of procedure texts and their structures and in various types and themes can be seen in the article below.

Example of a complete procedure text withits structure