Before you turn in your Instructions assignment, please go through this checklist to

make sure you’re meeting the criteria for effective instructions. Completing each item in
this checklist is essential to your success in this assignment!

 Use a title. The title should indicate that the document is a set of instructions, and it
should tell readers what they are going to learn how to do.

Example: Procedures for Creating a Stunning Snowman

Not: Snowman

 Include an introductory paragraph. Tell your readers what you are going to teach
them to do, and give them any background information they’ll need to complete the
instructions. Also, tell them how many steps are involved and approximately how
long it should take them to complete the instructions.

Example: Creating snowmen is a favorite winter pastime for people young and
old, but you have to know a few things about successful snowman construction if
you want to end up with anything more than a shapeless blob of snow. These
instructions will teach you how to form the various parts of a snowman and how
to put them together to create a stunning snow specimen. There are twelve steps
in these instructions, and depending on how much help you have, it should take
about an hour to complete your snowman.

 Include a list of supplies (if your instructions require them). Make sure to list the
supplies in the order in which they will be used.

Example: -Gloves or mittens to keep your hands warm

-Snow (at least two inches on the ground)
-Two twigs, each about two feet long and one inch in diameter.
-Six pieces of charcoal
-One carrot
-One piece of red licorice
-One scarf (optional)
-One hat (optional)

 Include a note or a caution, danger, or warning notice where needed.

Remember to place a caution, danger, or warning notice before the step that could
cause damage to the reader’s equipment or to the reader. Also, make sure your
notice stands out! Make it bold, surround it with a text box, and/or use color.

Example: Warning! Wear gloves or mittens to protect your hands from

prolonged exposure to snow. Failing to wear gloves or mittens
could result in frostbite.
 Tips for Writing Effective Instructions

 Write your procedures in a set of numbered steps. For example:

1. Put on your gloves or mittens.

2. Gather a few cups of snow in your hands and form the snow into a ball.
3. Place the ball on the snowy ground, and begin to roll it around to collect more
snow, which will make the snowball bigger.
4. Roll your snowball until it is approximately two feet in diameter.

 Make sure all of your numbered steps start with a verb.

Example: 5. Roll your first large snowball to the place where you want your
snowman to stand.
Not 5. Next you need to roll your first large snowball…

 Make your instructions as simple and clear as possible. Be specific!

Example: 2. Gather a handful of snow and form the snow into a ball.
Not 2. Gather some snow and make a ball.

 Make sure you include articles (a, an, and the) in your numbered steps. Don’t
write like a caveman!

Example: 3. Place the ball on the snow….

Not 3. Place ball on snow….

 Don’t put too much information into one single step.

Example: 1. Put on your gloves or mittens.

2. Gather a handful of snow and form the snow into a ball.
Not 1. Put on your gloves or mittens and gather a handful of snow and
form the snow….

 Include a conclusion. Give your readers some extra tips, explain to them why the
product they’ve just assembled will be useful for them, or provide some contact
information for further help.

Example: Now that your snowman is complete, take some time to enjoy it. Stand
back and marvel at your creation, take pictures, and invite your friends over to
see it. When your snowman melts away, which is inevitable unless you live on
the South Pole, be sure to pick up the charcoal, carrot, licorice, scarf, and hat
that are left over. You may be able to reuse them the next time snow falls.