Procedures or instructions are written to describe how something is done through a series of sequenced steps. The most common example of a procedural text is a recipe. Procedural texts include recipe books, repair manuals, and general how-to books. Giving directions orally also uses the form of a procedural text.

A procedural text usually consists of the following:

• a statement of what is to be achieved, such as how to make a cake;
• a list of materials or tools needed to achieve the goal;
• a series of sequenced instructions, "First, cream the sugar and butter"; and
• at times, a diagram or illustration.

• is written in the simple present tense or imperative (do this, do that),
• is chronological,
• focuses on generalised human agents rather than individuals ("first you take" rather than "first I take"),
• consists mainly of doing and action clauses.