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  ON-LINE ENG 121

Dr. David B. Axelrod

(Suffolk County Poet Laureate)

All material Copyright (C) 2008  David B. Axelrod 

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Your textbook Chapter 10 discusses instructions, procedures and policies. (223-226 provides specific information.)  It asks you to "write instructions for a simple procedure." The book gives shuffling cards as an example. I will leave your choice up to you but suggest that any simple action, from cooking or baking to building or assembling, or perhaps a sports or crafts activity would be suitable. 

The text also gives examples that employ illustrations. I am not requiring you to include illustrations or "figures." In fact, I would prefer you practice strong descriptive writing which would provide exact detailed language to allow the task to be completed.

What you are assigned:

Have you ever been given a set of instructions and wondered if its author spoke English? Translating what may be a familiar action for you into a step-by-step plan for others who have never done the job is not as simple as it may seem.

If you panic when you have to set the time on your watch or DVD player, or dread having to connect a spaghetti of wires for a computer then you are the perfect candidate for this assignment! Now you can show that errant tech writer from afar how good step-by-step instructions are done!

But you say you're not satisfied. You want more for your money? I am challenging you to do these instructions without illustrations. Rather, I want you to find just the necessary words to describe each object, each action without actually drawing me a picture.

The virtue of doing the instructions in this way is that you practice good descriptive writing. The ability to guide someone exactly to what  you want them to picture is a powerful tool. Subsequently, if you then added pictures, there would be far less chance of confusion. After all, those drawings aren't all that clear either!

What to include:

1. A list of ingredients, components, &/or equipment.

2. A statement of purpose or the objective of the instructions.

3. A numbered sequence of detailed, descriptive actions.

4. Hints along the way that highlight potential trouble spots, dangers or helpful tricks of the trade.

5. Optional wisdom or comic relief.

6. A description of whatever final results with any advice on use or application of the results of the instructions.

Your textbook counsels and I strongly recommend that you actually have someone try out your instructions to assure that no steps are left out and each step is accurate and functional.

Be clever but not cute with this. Make it long but not ridiculous. A guiding principle would be to write these instructions not so much assuming that people are dumb as just "clueless." Don't assume the person who is going to follow these instructions has even a little sense about how to do what you are explaining. The person you are instructing may be able to do the job but needs careful and patient coaching!

 CLICK HERE TO READ A SAMPLE OF STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS.