English

Instructions – Writing a Recipe

Summary of the Assignment:

· Task: In this assignment, you will write a set of instructions for Arnold, a friend of yours. The scenario for this situation is described below.

· Length: There is no minimum or maximum word count. However, your instructions must have 15 or more steps.

· This does not mean that you need 15 main steps. Some steps can be nested under other steps. More information on this strategy is given in the resources provided in the class on writing steps for instructions.

· Graphics: You must include at least 7 original graphics.

· No graphics may be borrowed from other sources. All graphics must be original.

· No screen captures are allowed. All graphics must be original pictures taken by you to illustrate your recipe.

· All graphics should be labeled

The Scenario

Your friend, Arnold, has contacted you for help.

Arnold lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is engaged to be married in two months. His fiancée, Denise, lives in New York City.

Denise’s parents live in Salem, Oregon, and have never met Arnold.

Next week, Denise’s parents are coming to Minneapolis for a work-related meeting. Arnold has arranged to have Denise’s parents over to his apartment for dinner while Denise’s parents are in Minneapolis.

When Denise’s parents visit Arnold in Minneapolis, Denise will not be there. The dinner will be only the three of them—Arnold, Denise’s father, and Denise’s mother.

Arnold is a bit nervous about the visit. He wants to impress his future in-laws with a dinner he will cook. However, Arnold does not typically cook. He usually goes out for food when he needs to have a meal.

Arnold has asked you for help. He would like you to write a recipe that he can follow, a recipe for a dish that he would feel confident serving Denise’s parents during their visit.

Brief Description and Strategies to Follow:

You must include the following:

· A brief introduction to Arnold about why he would want to make this dish for his fiancée’s parents.

· A list of ingredients

· Remember, this is a meal for three people. You want your instructions to be specific for approximately three people.

· Note that Arnold does not typically cook. He might not understand what certain terms mean (e.g., the difference between tablespoon and teaspoon, the meaning of au gratin, etc.)

· The instructions

· Number all of the main steps, as the resources for the class indicate

· Provide a graphic for steps of the instructions that need a graphic

· Remember that Arnold does not typically cook. He might not understand what certain terms mean (e.g., broiling, baking, roasting, al dente, sauté, etc.)

· Warnings or statements of caution integrated throughout the set of instructions.

· Remember that Arnold does not typically cook. He might not know basic safety tips involved in using an oven, handling a chopping knife, etc.

Helpful Guides and Resources:

· The Tech Writing Handbook by Dozuki, which is one of the resources listed in our class, has the following: