Technical writing: INSTRUCTION

Instructions inform readers on how to assemble, make, create something, or perform a specific task

Guidelines

An appropriate topic requires a series of steps for assembly or various specific tasks to complete

Choose a topic involving ten (10) or more steps. For example choose one of the following: How to change a car tire, How to assemble a skateboard, How to build a compost bin, or How to change an electrical outlet.

Audience:  a novice--someone who has never performed the task before

Acknowledge all sources.  acknowledge sources on an APA reference page, include the page with the instructions, adapted illustrations from another source, use APA captions, and provide a reference for each illustration. 

Format

Include all the following contents:

Introduction. Here you will provide your readers with the following information:

Who audience in terms of its knowledge and need for the instructions, What the instructions will allow readers to do, What skill level the audience should have to perform the task successfully, What overall steps needed to complete the task (an overview of the steps), How long the task will take, Where they should perform the task, i.e., in a well-ventilated area, outside, on a flat surface, etc. 

List of Materials and Tools required

Figures (Diagrams, Drawings, Photographs, Illustrations, or Tables). Include captions for each figure, label figures using APA guidelines, Give attribution to all figures in references

List of Steps, in chronological order, with the following characteristics: 

1. Presentation of ten (10) or more steps with at least one or two sentences maximum

2. Use of imperative mood, i.e., "Attach the red wire" rather than "The red wire is attached." 

3. Presentation of one specific action per step only, e.g., "Turn the knob one complete turn." and not an elaboration or comment, e.g., "Turning the knob will result in a better fit."

4. Use of the second person (you) 

5. Inclusion of all necessary warnings or cautions before readers will encounter problems

6. Attention to parallel form 

If needed, instructions should also contain: 

Warnings, Glossary of terms, References, Appendices.

Document Design and Figures

Give careful thought to figures and design elements that will make your instructions effective. 

· Make sure all steps are numbered, 1-2-3, throughout, Single-space the text in paragraphs, include two figures (may create your own or adapt from other sources)--Provide figure information for each one and document with APA standards, Use as many of the four basic design principles, CRAP, as possible, Design your document for consistency (grid patterns, margins, justification, negative space, indentation, typeface, font style, and size), Design your document for navigation and emphasis (headings, color, shading, boldface, italic, and underlining, bulleted and numbered lists) 

·  use a two-column format