The City School

Academic Year 2020-21

Class 7
Term 2
Subject: English Composition
Topic: Writing Instructions

Worksheet # 8B

Student’s Name: ___________________ Date: ___________

Lesson Objectives:
 Analyze technical instructions to learn what makes them effective or ineffective for
an audience
 Understand the difference between instructional writing and other genres of writing
 Identify how techniques, structure, forms and styles vary

EXPLANATION
In business writing, technical writing, and other forms of composition, instructions are
written or spoken directions for carrying out a procedure or performing a task. It is also called
instructive writing.
Step-by-step instructions typically use the second-person point of view (you, your, yours).
Instructions are usually conveyed in the active voice and the imperative mood: Address your
audience directly. Instructions are often written in the form of a numbered list so that users
can clearly recognize the sequence of the tasks.
Effective instructions commonly include visual elements (such as pictures, diagrams, and
flowcharts) that illustrate and clarify the text.
https://youtu.be/2189sv8Bvy4 watch this Tutorial to gather more information about
Instructive writing.

You must know about “The five basic principles about writing instructions.”
1. Know your audience.
2. Provide a brief introduction.
3. Write each step as a command.
4. Use numbers for commands, bullets for options.
5. Plan to test and revise.

Basic Features
"Instructions tend to follow a consistent step-by-step pattern, whether you are describing how
to make coffee or how to assemble an automobile engine. Here are the basic features of
instructions:

1. Specific and precise title

2. Introduction with background information
3. List of parts, tools, and conditions required
4. Sequentially ordered steps; Arrange your points in logical order.
5. Add graphics if possible
 6. Safety information
7. Use short sentences and short
paragraphs.
8. Choose your words carefully,
avoiding jargon and technical terms if
you can.
9. Use transition or linking words to link
steps.
10. Check your completed draft for logic
of presentation.
Reference: (Adapted from Writing with
Precision by Jefferson D. Bates. Penguin,
2000)

Transition words: Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between ideas in your
writing and can help your reader understand the logic of your instructions.
 Take out a pencil and paper, and follow the directions:
1. First, draw a medium sized rectangle near the bottom of your paper.
2. Next, on top of your rectangle, draw a triangle that fits exactly on top of your
rectangle. The triangle should not be bigger or smaller than your rectangle. The
left and right angles of the rectangle should stop at the top left and right top
corners of your rectangle.
3. Now draw a small square at the bottom of your rectangle
4. Additionally, the square should be in the middle of your rectangle, on the
bottom line of the rectangle.

What have you drawn above?

_______________________________________________________________
 WRITTEN TASK
Let’s try with an example. Observe this picture carefully and think about the steps that
are being displayed in this picture.
Can you guess what this picture is
about?
Mention your answer here
Answer:
Instructions
of__________________________
____________________________

Now look at each step and write

the details! Don’t forget to add
transition words
1) ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

2) ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

3) ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

4) ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

5) ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

6) ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________
Now that you’ve learned how to write instructions and use transition (linking) words,
let’s try creating your own instructions related to the use of a GLUE GUN. Think about
the steps, refer back to the explanation and observe this picture for your reinforcement.
https://youtu.be/GI3wvXlz-Sc watch this link for a video tutorial before you write
instructions.

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