This document provides tips for writing a good procedure. It recommends using numbered steps in the proper order, breaking steps into small discrete directions using commands instead of pronouns, eliminating extra information, sketching and labeling experimental set-ups, and including all steps, no matter how small.

1. How to Write a Good Procedure

2. Step 1 Use a numbered list of steps. Example: How to Get Out of Bed Wake up. Put your feet on the floor. Stand up. Walk.

3. Step 2 Organize the steps into small, discrete directions in the order you would do them in the lab. GOOD: Wake up. Put your feet on the floor. Stand up. Walk. BAD: Get up. Get out of bed.

4. Step 3 Avoid using pronouns. Good: “Place the beaker on the table.” Bad: .“Place it on the table.”

5. Step 4 Use commands. Good: “ Measure 50 mL of water.” Bad: “50 mL of water.”

6. Step 5 Eliminate extra information. Good: “Measure 50 mL of water.” Bad: “Measure 50 mL of good, clean, fresh great-tastin’ water !”

7. Step 6 Sketch and label the experimental set-up. It does NOT have to cover each step.

8. Step 7 Include all steps. No matter how small the step seems, it may be the critical step for a researcher to replicate the procedure. Place the beaker on the hot plate. <?> Record the change in water temperature every 5 minutes.

9. Step 7 Cont. Include all steps. No matter how small the step seems, it may be the critical step for a researcher to replicate the procedure. Place the beaker on the hot plate. Turn on the hot plate to a setting of “6”. Record the change in water temperature every 5 minutes.

10. Summary: How to Write a Good Procedure Number the steps. Break the steps into small, discrete directions. Avoid using pronouns. Use commands. Eliminate extra information. Sketch and label the experimental set-up. Include all steps.