大象传媒

Learning about setting in a story

Learn how to write carefully crafted instructions to help with almost anything.

In this article you can find out:

  • What instructions are
  • How to write instructions

This resource is suitable for informative writing for P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7 (First and Second Level Curriculum for Excellence).

Back to top

Video - Story structure

Watch this video to learn how to write instructions.

Learn how to write carefully crafted instructions to help with almost anything.

Back to top

What are instructions?

Instructions are written for someone who needs to know how to do something.

Instructions could explain:

  • how to cook a meal (a recipe)
  • how to build a piece of furniture
  • how to play a game
  • how to get to somewhere you need to go.
Back to top

How to write instructions

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 7, , Title The title tells you what you are making or doing.

It is important that instructions are written carefully and the steps explained clearly.

For example, how would some witches write instructions for their potion?

Title

The first thing a set of instructions needs is a title to tell you what it is that you are making or doing.

List

Next make a list of what you will need. You must note everything down accurately:

  • 1 bucket of unicorn tears
  • 3 toes of frog
  • 1 eye of newt
  • 2 wings of bat (left wings only)
  • a pinch of dried werewolf鈥檚 eyebrow

Now the most important part, write down what to do in a clear and sensible order.

Verbs

Use that give a command or tell you what to do. For example, 'take', 'chop' or 'mix'.

'Light a fire under the cauldron'

Connectives

Use time like:

  • 'first'
  • 'next'
  • 'then'
  • 'until'

Order

It is important to organise your instructions in the order that the person should do things in.You can number each step to help you show the order you do things : 1, 2, 3.

3. Then heat the unicorn tears until they boil.
4. Chop the frog toes into pieces and drop into the boiling tears.

Adverbs

Use to give detail and to describe how something should be done. For example, 'finely chop'.

Adjectives

  • Add to help describe your : small pieces
  • This will help the reader complete the task more successfully.

'Finally, sprinkle the dried werewolf鈥檚 eyebrow generously over the top, then ladle out a portion of the potion to cool.'

Back to top

Key words about structuring a story

Key words sticker
  • 鈥 To give lots of something, or more than expected. For example: 'She was always so generous, sharing her sweets with everyone in the playground.'
  • 鈥 A large spoon with a cup-shaped bowl. For example: 'He give the workers a big ladle of their favourite soup.'
  • 鈥 A part of a whole thing. For example: 'They were able to share the cake equally by giving a smaller portion.'
Back to top

Test your knowledge

Back to top

Challenge

Challenge

Write your own instructions.

Instructions are written for someone who needs to know how to do something.

Write a set of instructions to explain how to:

  • cook a meal
  • make a sandwich
  • brush your teeth
  • build a piece of furniture
  • play a game
  • get to somewhere you need to go
Back to top

More on Factual writing

Find out more by working through a topic