A set of instructions can help a reader do a task quickly.It is important to give every detail.A reader may be frustrated by mistakes.The following guidelines can be used to write instructions.
Step 1: Know your audience.
To know your audience is the first thing to do when writing instructions.Who are you writing for?Are they experts or novices?Knowing your audience helps you choose your words, level of detail, and how you structure the instructions.If you were teaching a chef how to bake a cake, for example, you wouldn't have to explain why it's important to bring the eggs to room temperature, or the difference between self-rising flour and all-purpose flour.The difference between a good cake and a bad cake may be determined by the definitions and explanations you give someone who doesn't know how to cook.Don't treat the audience as an expert.Your instructions are always clear and can be followed.
Step 2: Do you have any tools that are needed?
Make sure you state clearly what you need to do to complete the instructions.A group of tools or a list of ingredients might be what this is.
Step 3: Do the task.
One way to get clear instructions is to do it yourself.You can write the steps down.You may not remember everything if you try to do something from memory.Someone else should do the task.They can give feedback about any confusing steps.Don't leave something out.It is impossible for the reader to complete the task if you skip important steps.You should not write the steps out of order."Mix the ingredients with a mixer" is an example.The reader might think you put the mixing bowl in the oven.
Step 4: It should be simple.
Simple instruction is effective.Don't use long paragraphs.Use bullet points and visual aids instead.
Step 5: Use active words.
Instructions need to be full of words.You should start your steps with action verbs.The reader has a clear action to perform.The imperative mood should be used in each step.Use as much descriptive language as possible when defining or explaining."Two eggs should be added to the cake mix."
Step 6: Only the necessary information is added.
You should only include what is necessary when you include additional information.Do the reader need to know the definition to understand the instructions?Does the reader need the tip to complete the task?Don't add unneeded information.It can be difficult to follow instructions if you don't have needed definitions, tips, steps, or information.
Step 7: The reader should be addressed.
The reader should be addressed when writing instructions.This is done using the word "you."This leads the reader through the steps.
Step 8: Be specific.
Instructions should be as specific as possible.It's a good idea to outline exactly what they do.Which way they turn a wrench, how many feet they walk, and what consistency of the cake should look like are included.All measurements should be given exactly.Say that if someone needs to cut off part of a board.If you are making a cake, don't wait until step 4 to say "before mixing the ingredients, sift the flour and bring the eggs to room temperature."
Step 9: Sequence and time transitions can be used.
The steps are connected by transitions.They help understand the ideas.Sequence and time transitions are used in instructions.The reader can understand step-by-step instructions.First, next, then, finally, before are some common transitions.
Step 10: An introduction is needed.
The reader needs to be introduced before you begin detailing the instructions.The introduction explains what the reader should be able to do.An overview of the procedure is provided.It should be written in plain language.State the purpose of the instructions, who should read them, and what situation might need the procedure.It's possible to talk about what the procedure doesn't do.Background information can also be provided in the introduction.Before the reader begins the process, the introduction can mention any warnings or important information that is needed.Most people will skip the introduction, so don't put any important information in it.The instructions give information on how to bake a chocolate cake.The first and second sections explain how to combine wet and dry ingredients.Place the steps in chronological order.Instructions have to be in order.One after another, the tasks should follow logically.You have to finish step 1 before you can move on to step 2.Organization is crucial for writing instructions.If it doesn't matter which order something is done in, start with the most important.
Step 11: You have to organize your steps.
The instructions are made up of interrelated tasks.The first thing you have to do is decide which steps are necessary.You have to decide what to do first to complete the task.If you want to make a cake, you have to bake it, mix the ingredients, and make the frosting.
Step 12: The instructions should be broken into separate tasks.
There are many tasks that must be completed for the procedure to be finished.The instructions are easier to read if they are organized into separate parts for each task.There are a lot of things you have to do before you get to the engine.You need to place the car on a jack, remove other car parts, or remove covers.Each task has its own set of instructions.Each task should have its own set of instructions.The parts go in sequential order.You can't remove the engine cover before hijacking the car.The order in which the parts need to be completed should be listed.Keep the tasks around 10 steps.If you go over 10 steps, you need to find another task.This helps people track their progress.When they have completed a part, they will know.They don't have to redo the entire set of instructions if they make a mistake.
Step 13: Each task should be labeled clearly.
The instructions should be labeled to help the reader understand them.The heading should explain what the task is about.The reader needs to know how to do the task before they start.
Step 14: Place a single step in a sentence.
The steps should only have one step per sentence.Instead of making each step with multiple actions, you should break down the task into separate actions.Explain the steps in the same sentence if they have a related action that must be completed together.Before pouring the cake in the pan, you should coat it with cooking spray.The cake should be poured into the pan.
Step 15: Trackable steps are provided.
Helping your reader track his or her progress is one of the keys to instructions.They can see that they have done something right with the sub steps.It could be like this: "When you have _, you will see _____."When the cake is done, put a toothpick in the middle.The cake is done if the toothpick is clean.
Step 16: Any alternate steps should be included.
There are different ways of doing the same thing.Explaining the different ways the step can be accomplished is important.If there are conditions that make one step better, make sure to talk about it.Make sure to explain if one step is easier, cheaper, or more effective.
Step 17: If necessary, use sub steps.
Some procedures need to be broken down further.Substeps should only be used if they are too small to be considered their own step.Substeps help break down the step into smaller parts.Supplementary information can be added into the substeps.This information gives you more information about the step, such as what it might look like before and after.
Step 18: There should be warnings and conditions at the beginning.
Make sure to tell the reader at the beginning of the step that there are things they need to know.
Step 19: Anticipate problems.
Think about places where your readers might run into trouble.Then offer advice.If they have completed a step wrong, you can give examples of things that could go wrong.This step is very important.If you have completed the instructions on your own, you will know where to find problems.As you are writing the instructions, it is important to go through the process.
Step 20: The instructions need to be finished.
This is very important.When the last nail is hammered or the cake comes out of the oven, some instructions are not complete.The person needs to do more.Do you have a "Now what?"There are more steps to add.
Step 21: The instructions should be formatted.
It is important to format instructions clearly.It helps the reader understand how to read the instructions.Each part of the instructions should be labeled with a headings.When listing the steps, use numbers.Bullets can be used to list alternatives, additional information, or anything else.Look at the steps in a different way.There is a space between the steps.
Step 22: Choose a title that is effective.
The title of the instructions should give a clear idea of what to expect."Instructions for Baking an Eggless Chocolate Cake" is more specific than "Chocolate Cake."
Step 23: If necessary, use diagrams and visuals.
diagrams, pictures, charts, or other visual aids are required in some instructions.When needed, add these visuals to the instructions.The visuals should repeat the ideas in the prose.The visual material is supplement material.Make sure the visuals are close to the prose.It should be beside the step.