Instructions

Well-written Instructions include 3 Genres

Technical Description

Process Description

Instructions/Procedures

Technical Description• Any text that provides a detailed discussion of

the physical aspects of a thing (such as color, shape, size, weight, height, width, thickness, texture, density, contents, materials of construction, and so on). Goal is to describe object faithfully.

Process Description• A technical description that provides an

overview of a series of events or steps in a larger process, often from a third-person perspective. Goal is to inform user about process.

Procedures/Instructions

• Detailed step-by-step description of how to complete a process, most often written in the imperative (you-understood) mood.

• Goal is to permit user to accomplish task without additional help. Often includes pictures.

Table 4, continued,

“Press F12. Unless you don’t want to erase your hard drive.”

“Determine the number of hours of sick leave which may be credited to an employee, other than a part-time employee, by multiplying the total months of service of the subject employee by four and subtracting there from the sum total of the number of hours of sick leave previously taken by the subject employee.”

Examples of Poorly Written Instructions

Parallelism

Imperative Gerund Infinitive

Good instructions typically keep verbs in parallel formwhen possible, and generally use the imperative mood.

Tips for Writing Good Instructions• Put the steps in the order in which they should be

done.• For complex or procedures with multiple paths,

use a flowchart or other visual cues to show paths.

• If things can go wrong, warn the user (use “Warning,” “Caution,” “Note,” or “Important”).

• Use a modular design with parallel structure of text and images.

• Use the vocabulary of your reader.• Use short imperative sentences.

Guidelines for Images

• Think visually first.

• When dealing with real objects, compose with photos, simplify into drawings.

• Draw only the parts you need.

• Find the best pose.

Image prepared for black and white printing

d.

a.

b.

c.

c.Shorter lanyard line goes to center hole in pulley.

Zip Line Assembly

Giant Swing Assembly

a.b.c.

d.

e.Butterfly knot in retrieval

cord to temporarily connect lanyard eye to tower.A

a.

c.

d.

B

b.

Composing with a Photo

Edited Image from Photo

Find the Best Pose

Minimize the Impact of Labels

Keep the Arrangement Simple