Writing instructions
Learn how to write carefully crafted instructions to help with almost anything.
In this article you can learn:
- What instructions are
- How to write instructions
This resource is suitable for informative writing for primary school learners.
Video - How to write instructions
Watch this video to learn about the different features of instructions.
Learn how to write carefully crafted instructions to help with almost anything.
How to write instructions.
Instructions are written for someone who needs to know how to do something.
They could explain how to cook a meal, how to build a piece of furniture, how to play a game or how to get to somewhere you need to go.
It is important that instructions are written carefully. Let's see how these three nice witches write instructions for their potion.
The first thing a set of instructions needs is a title to tell you what it is that you are making or doing. Ah! A love potion. Well, this should be interesting.
Next, make a list of what you will need. One bucket of unicorn tears. Three toes of frog. One eye of newt. Two wings of bat. Left wing's only. A pinch of dried werewolf's eyebrow. Everything noted down accurately. Good.
Now comes the most important part, write down what to do in a sensible order.
Use verbs that give a command or tell you what to do such as take, chop or mix. Like this: light a fire under the cauldron.
Use connectives like first, then, next and until to help order the steps of the instructions. Heat the unicorn tears in the cauldron, until they boil.
You could even number each step to help you show the order you do things in. One, two, three. Chop the frog toes into pieces and drop into the boiling tears.
Use adverbs to give detail and to describe how something should be done. For example, finely chop.
Add adjectives to help describe your nouns such as small pieces. This will help the reader complete the task more successfully.
Four - add the eye of newt and bat wings, stirring gently.
Five - finally sprinkle the dried werewolf's eyebrow generously over the top.
Then ladel out a portion of the potion to cool.
Now, you just have to test it out. Oh, that doesn't look right. I think something's gone wrong with your love potion… or maybe not.
KISSING NOISES
What are instructions?
Instructions are written for someone who needs to know how to do something.
Instructions could explain:
- how to cook a meal (a recipe)
- how to build a piece of furniture
- how to play a game
- how to get to somewhere you need to go.
How to write instructions
It is important that instructions are written carefully and the steps explained clearly.
For example, how would some witches write instructions for their potion?
Image caption, Title
The title tells you what you are making or doing.
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Title
The first thing a set of instructions needs is a title to tell you what it is that you are making or doing.
List
Next make a list of what you will need. You must note everything down accurately:
- 1 bucket of unicorn tears
- 3 toes of frog
- 1 eye of newt
- 2 wings of bat (left wings only)
- a pinch of dried werewolf’s eyebrow
Now the most important part, write down what to do in a clear and sensible order.
Verbs
Use A verb is a word used to describe an action (doing something) or state (being something). that give a command or tell you what to do. For example, 'take', 'chop' or 'mix'.
'Light a fire under the cauldron'
Connectives
Use time Words and phrases which link or show connections between sentences and paragraphs. like:
- 'first'
- 'next'
- 'then'
- 'until'
Order
It is important to organise your instructions in the order that the person should do things in.You can number each step to help you show the order you do things : 1, 2, 3.
3. Then heat the unicorn tears until they boil.
4. Chop the frog toes into pieces and drop into the boiling tears.
Adverbs
Use An adverb is a word that describes a verb (an action or a doing word). For example, the word 'quickly' is an adverb as it tells us how fast someone did something. to give detail and to describe how something should be done. For example, 'finely chop'.
Adjectives
- Add A word which describes a noun or pronoun. to help describe your A naming word for an object, idea, person or place.: small pieces
- This will help the reader complete the task more successfully.
'Finally, sprinkle the dried werewolf’s eyebrow generously over the top, then ladle out a portion of the potion to cool.'
Key words about writing instructions
- Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. – To give lots of something, or more than expected. For example: 'She was always so generous, sharing her sweets with everyone in the playground.'
- Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. – A large spoon with a cup-shaped bowl. For example: 'He give the workers a big ladle of their favourite soup.'
- Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. – A part of a whole thing. For example: 'They were able to share the cake equally by giving a smaller portion.'
Test your knowledge
Quiz
Challenge
Write your own instructions.
Instructions are written for someone who needs to know how to do something.
Write a set of instructions to explain how to:
- cook a meal
- make a sandwich
- brush your teeth
- build a piece of furniture
- play a game
- get to somewhere you need to go
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