The importance of clear instructions in teaching English to YL
Instructions
What are they?
What are they?
A step by step guide explaining how to make or do something.
Instructions can be spoken or written.
Types of instructions
Instructions are used for many things.
How many types of written instructions can you think of?
Recipe books
Computer games
Craft books
Gardening guides
Science experiments
Sport games
Safety rules
How are instructions written?
A question for the reader.
Diagrams
Finished product picture.
Starts with a GOAL.
Includes a list of tools and equipment.
Numbered steps.
Time Connectives.
Imperative verbs.
Look at the instructions you have been given can you find any of these features? Use post it notes to mark them.
A question for the reader.
Diagrams
Finished product picture.
Starts with a GOAL.
List of tools and equipment.
Numbered steps.
Time Connectives.
Imperative verbs.
Bossy verbs
Imperative instruction
Don't smoke here
Fix this with glue
Don't run
Take 300g of flour
Sentence
You should not smoke here
You must fix this with glue
You must not run
You will need 300g of flour
Important Things to Remember When Giving Instructions
Length – keep instructions brief and to the point; overly long instructions are less likely to be read thoroughly
Word Choice – Keep the vocabulary in terms your audience will understand; define technical terms when necessary
Language – write in clear, concise language that is easily understood; conversational tone; steps written as commands
Design – Make sure the page is easy to read and information is easy to locate; use visuals when necessary
Accuracy – Instructions need to be accurate and complete; find out any facts your are uncertain of before giving instructions
Presentation – Choose whether oral, written, visual (demo), or a combination will be most effective
Title (purpose of instructions)
Title (purpose of instructions)
Introduction (overview, define the task, explain a process)
Definitions (define any terms your audience may not understand; use a glossary or define the term after the first time it is used)
Preparations (anything that is necessary to do before the instructions can be followed)
Warnings/Precautions (give audience a heads up of any problems that may arise when following your steps)
Steps (the order in which the task needs to be done)
Closing (how to test results, summarize main steps)
Use Concise Language
Extra words, sentences, and information can clutter writing and make it unnecessarily long and confusing.
If any words or sentences can be removed without changing the meaning of your message, remove it.
Examples:
Revolutionary new can be changed to new
Terminate can be changed to end
In the year of 2011 can be changed to In 2011
Completely finished can be changed to finished
During the time that can be changed to while
Chronological Order & Command Forms
Instructions should be carried out in the order that they are given.
Instead of saying “before you open the lid, turn the machine off” you should say “turn the machine off before opening the lid.”
Steps in instructions are always written in the second person as a command.
Using the second person (“you”) allows direct addressing of whoever is being instructed.
Examples:
Clamp the board to the bench.
Please fill out an insurance form.
Parallel Structure
Steps in instructions should have the same sentence structure.
Example of parallel structure:
1) Insert disk in CD drive, 2) Close drive door, 3) Press ENTER
Example of NOT parallel structure:
1) Disk inserted in CD drive, 2) Drive door must be closed, 3) Press ENTER.
Giving Effective Instructions
1) Analyze who your are giving instructions to
2) Research the subject
3) Organize
4) Make notes
5) Prepare visual aids (if necessary)
6) Practice
7) Presentation
Designing an Effective Page
Layout – spread material evenly over the whole page, place visuals where they are easy to find, make important information stand out, be organized
Headings and Print – headings help the reader find information quickly, use print that is large enough to see and easy to read
Sequence – instructions must be written in the same order as the reader’s actions
When to Use Visuals
A visual should be included with your instructions if you answer yes to any of the following questions:
Will a visual help to understand the purpose of the instructions?
Will a visual help to identify parts or equipment?
Will a visual help to understand a specific step or series of steps?
Will a visual help to avoid injury or increase safety?
Will a visual help to successfully complete the task?
Giving Warnings
The listener or reader of your instructions need to be warned of any hazards that may come up as your instructions are followed.
Signal Word – Use words like DANGER, CAUTION, WARNING, STOP, or IMPORTANT written in large letters to grab attention; using a color like red, orange, or yellow also helps
Identify the Hazard – tells whoever is following your instructions what to be aware of (electric shock, radiation, toxic gas, etc.)
Result of Ignoring the Warning – what will happen if the warning is ignored; explain the damage the hazard can cause
Avoiding the Hazard – give detailed instructions on how to avoid the hazard using simple, direct language
Summarizing
Summary – shortened versions of speeches, writings, and events
The original source is reduced but the main idea is included and restated in a summary
Major points and important details can be included as long as they are essential to the central idea
A summary can be as brief as 1 sentence or as long as several pages
Subject, Audience, & Purpose
The subject of what is being summarized will affect how long the summary is.
Example: a 90 page report will take more time and more words to summarize than a 1 page article
A summary must be an accurate representation of the original source. Whoever uses the summary should not have to refer to the original source to understand it.
The audience and purpose will determine the length and presentation of a summary.
Characteristics of a Summary
An effective summary should be ALL of the following:
Brief – short and to the point
Well Written – the summary needs to be understandable with the most important points highlighted throughout
Independent – clear, stands alone from the original, contains main idea(s) of the original, should not have to refer to original to understand
Accurate – provide understanding of original, clearly reflect the author’s intent, does not distort the meaning
What to Include in a Summary
From the original: Include what is necessary after reading or listening to the original more than once
For a general audience: a summary for a general audience translates whatever information is being summarized into plain language
For specialists: provide enough information for the needs of the audience, often with recommendations and/or results so that a specialist as enough information to make a decision
Types of Summaries
Informative – condenses main ideas with no explanation or detail
Explanatory – contain only information with no analysis or opinions added
Analytic – used if the summary’s purpose is to interpret, evaluate, or criticize the facts of a source; observations and criticisms can be added
How to Summarize
Choose and Arrange Main Points – find the author’s organizational pattern; signal word clues will help find the main points
Highlight and Take Notes – highlight and take notes on main points based on the summary’s audience (about 10% of original should be included)
1) Read/Listen to original, 2) Find main ideas, 3) Highlight and take notes, 4) Support main ideas with facts from original
Writing an Effective Summary
1) Preview (skim original for main points)
2) Read/Listen to original
3) Highlight and/or take notes
4) Identify main idea
5) Find supporting facts (direct quotes and paraphrasing)
6) Organize and write summary
7) Edit (eliminate unnecessary words and repetition)
