Have you written down a recipe or provided step by step instructions to someone on how to use something before? This is known as a procedural text and it is very useful in daily life. In this lesson, learn how to explain to someone how to use chopsticks is a procedural text?A procedural text gives you a set of instructions on how to do something. There are a few different types of procedural texts you might come across in your daily lifeHow to make somethingExample How to make a vegie pastieHow to build somethingExample How to build a garden shedHow to draw somethingExample How to draw an Australian animalHow to use somethingExample How to use chopsticksWhy do we need to know how to write a procedural text?It’s important to know the structure of a procedural text because you’ll use it very often in your daily life. You might have to write down a recipe for someone or you might have to explain how to do a particular task at work. One way to practise using this structure is to watch a video about something you want to make or use, and then write down what you need to the structure of a procedural text?A procedural text follows this general structureTitle/Goal This tells you what this procedure is aboutFor example How to use chopsticks correctlyMaterials What items or ingredients you need to achieve this goalFor example chopsticks, foodSteps What do you need to do step by step in order to achieve this goalThe following words and phrases can be used to indicate the order of the stepsTo signal the first step, you can say-Firstly-Step 1 -The first step is...To signal the next step, you can say-Next-Then-Secondly/ThirdlyTo signal the final step, you can say-Lastly-At the very end -Step 5 if there 5 steps in totalEvaluation/Conclusion checking if the result is correctExample Were you able to use chopsticks correctly to eat your food?In the video above from the Chopsticks or Fork series, Jennifer Wong and Lydia Feng talk about how to use chopsticks correctly. Listen carefully and take note of the steps Lydia goes are the 5 steps you need to follow to use chopsticks correctly. Did you get them all while listening to the video?Step 1 Pick up the chopsticks as though you’re picking up a pen or a calligraphy brush Lydia picking up chopsticks.Step 2 Ensure the ends of the chopsticks are levelled Lydia tapping the chopsticks on the table.ABCLydia says if the chopsticks are not levelled, gently tap on the table to level 3 Fingers holding the chopsticks should be two-thirds of the way from the eating end Lydia explaining how to use chopsticks.ABCLydia recommends this because holding chopsticks this way will way provide the user the best leverage and 4 Hold the bottom chopstick by wedging it at the end of the thumb and the index finger, and resting it on top of the ring finger How to position chopsticks between fingers.ABCLydia says the bottom stick is the stabilising stick. The top stick moves according to how to first three fingers on one’s hand move – these are most flexible fingers. This way, the chopsticks can be moved around easily to pick up the food you 5 Time to eat… and practise!Lydia says the more you use chopsticks, the better you will get at using it. After explaining what one needs to do to use chopsticks correctly, Lydia shares some tips belowChopsticks always need to be levelledDon’t suck on your chopsticksBe sure about what food you want to eat and do not hover around the dining table with your chopsticksDon’t drop your chopsticksDon’t be scared when using your chopsticksFor daily English language lessons and tips, like our Learn English Facebook page or subscribe to our YouTube channel.