Procedural writing is a favorite among students because it offers them a way to connect to the real world and show their expertise in various domains. Brainstorming for procedural writing topics always brings students into the kitchen first, and they will tell you they know how to make so many things, from a peanut butter jelly sandwich to a cake, an ice cream sundae, pizza, lemonade, and more. They should be encouraged to begin writing about a topic they know most about and they are experts in.
Another reason for which students love procedural writing is because they are asked to write with clarity and succinctness, and that does not involve the use of complicated phrases. Once students understand that procedural writing means teaching someone else how to do something or the steps one must follow to make something, they love posing as little experts and be teachers for the day!
However, writing is always a process, and for some students, knowing what steps go in what order, or if they are relevant to the big picture at all can become a struggle. Using visuals, word starters, oral drills, as well as allowing students to create pictures on sticky notes at first and then arrange them in the correct order, will help them to create correct procedural writing pieces.
Mentor texts provide excellent support for writing! 
