1. Giving instructions on how to do something
Sequence Writing
Giving instructions on how to do something

2. Technical Writing
Instructions- step-by-step explanations of how to do something: how to build, operate, repair, or maintain things.
When writing instructions, you must include definitions, descriptions, discussion, classification, comparison, etc.
The most important thing is to be CLEAR AND CONCISE!

3. Things to Remember When Giving Instructions
Use clear, simple writing
Have a thorough understanding of what it is you are attempting to explain. If you don’t know what you are talking about, you are going to have a hard time explaining it.
Try to put yourself in the reader’s position. Does it make sense?
Visualize what it is you are explaining. Can you picture it?

4. Things to Determine Before Writing
Define your audience. Knowing who your audience is will help you write in terms they understand.
Understand the length of the task you are giving. Even something simple can have a lot of steps to it, which can be a bit overwhelming. Breaking up a task with many steps into multiple phases can make it less daunting.

5. Different Approaches to Writing a Technical Text
By task: Breaking up your directions by the different tasks that go with what you are giving directions about. Example: directions on how to use voic - setting up your message, how to check messages, how to delete them, etc.
By tool: Breaking up your directions based on the different parts. Example: how to use the photocopier- the start button, the copy button, the copy size button, etc.

6. Breakdown of Instructions
Title- what is it you are giving instructions about?
Introduction-
Indicate the task and the audience
Give a general idea of the procedure and what it accomplishes
Indicate when the instructions should be used
Give an overview of the contents of the instructions

7. Breakdown for Instructions
Special Notices: warnings about dangers or things to keep in mind
Equipment and supplies- list any tools or supplies that the reader will need before starting. This can be put in a bulleted, vertical, or two-column list. Add any specifications as to what supplies they will need.
Discussion of the steps- this is where you actually give the steps for the task at hand.

8. Discussion of the Steps
Things to keep in mind:
Structure and format
Supplementary information that may be needed
Point of view and general writing style

9. Structure and Format
Most of the time, instructions are given in a bulleted or numbered list, but there are some variations
Fixed order- given in the sequence that the instructions must be done in. These are usually numbered.
Variable order- can be done in any order. Usually given in a bulleted format.
Your list of supplies should be in a bulleted list.

10. Supplementary Information
Often it is not enough to just give steps, but instead you must give further information to your reader.
How something should look before moving on to the next step (pictures or diagrams)
Why a certain step is important
Mechanical principles behind what they are doing
Discussion of specific actions needed
The problem with supplementary information is that it can bury the actual step in a jumble of words. To avoid this, make supplementary information stand out either by bolding it, or making it separate from the actual step.

11. Writing Style
Writing instructions is different from writing an ordinary essay. There is a lot of “you” and commanding your reader to do different things.
Avoid sounding like a robot by using articles (a, an, the)
Try to avoid using passive voice. Be specific!

12. Graphics
The nice thing about writing a technical text is that you can use graphics or pictures to help your reader understand what it is you are saying. You can use graphics such as:
Photos
Tables
Graphs
Diagrams
Charts
Things to remember when using graphics:
Only use when necessary
Always explain graphics. Don’t just throw them in randomly and expect your reader to understand why it is there
Make sure your graphics are appropriate for what you are saying, as well as for your audience.
Have graphics interspersed throughout your instructions, placed appropriately next to the instructions they go with.
Give credit to your sources. Where did you find the graphic?
Include identifying details with your graphics: labels, keys, etc.

13. Formatting
Headings: make use of headings. You will want to label each section, as well as subheadings for the different parts that make up the sections. Underline or bold these.
Lists: make sure you use numbers if there is a specific order, and bullets if the order in which things are done does not matter. Only use vertical lists if there are four or more items; less than that, just use commas to separate the items.
Special notices: caution your audience of any possible damage that could occur, warn about possible injury, note or emphasize information, etc
Numbers, abbreviations and symbols: make sure they are clear or explained.

14. Revision
Check for:
A good introduction. It needs to indicate what is going to be discussed, and give an overview of the procedure
Lists: use a variety and only when appropriate
Headings: correctly used and bold
Special notices: used when needed
Graphics: used to highlight and illustrate information
Strong definitions and descriptions: The clearer you are, the easier your directions will be to follow
Make sure you list ALL equipment and supplies needed.