Opening Prayer

Dear Lord and Father of all, thank you for today.

Thank you for ways in which you provide for us all.
For Your protection and love we thank you.
Help us to focus our hearts and minds now on what
we are about to learn.
Inspire us by Your Holy Spirit as we listen and write.
Guide us by your eternal light as we discover more
about the world around us. We ask this in the name
of Jesus.
Amen.
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 Energizer
Say what I say, Do what I say 2
 Instructions
MA 600: Communication Arts

Prepared by: Christian J. Manito, LPT 3

 Instructions
 Definition
 Kinds
 Important Terminologies
 How to Write Instructions
 User Testing
 Style
 Design
Overview  Conclusion
4
Learning Objectives
 Define instructions and important
terms related to it (kinds, user testing,
parts, style and design)

 Explain the different parts and steps in

writing instructions.

 Appreciate the importance of

instructions in our daily routines.

Instructions
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 Instructions What are
 type of process writing. Instructions?

 one type of writing where the readers

only rely heavily on the writer.

 include specific, detailed, numbered

steps that directly address the
readers.

 explain how to perform a specific

task, such as how to assemble a
product or perform a process. Definition
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 Instructions
 Procedures

 Protocols

 Documentation
Kinds
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 Procedures
 describe an established guideline for
a series of actions that must be
performed in a certain order or
manner.

 usually used in the workplace to

ensure quality control and
consistency in regularly repeated
actions.

Kinds of Instructions
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 Procedures
Example: Part of a Lesson Plan

PROCEDURE:
 Review of the Previous Lesson
 Motivation
 Discussion
 Deepining of the Lesson
 Assessment
Kinds of Instructions 9
 Protocols
 systems of rules for routine
series of actions.

 usually apply to situations that

require greater exactness and
precision, such as laboratory
experiments or government
operations.
Kinds of Instructions
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Documentation
 provides guidance on the proper
use and maintenance of a piece of
equipment or software.

 general reference for a category of

technical problems which can be
adapted to particular situations.

Kinds of Instructions
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 Will readers use your
instructions at a desk?

 Will they read the

whole document before
they start the process,
or will read as they go?

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 Instructions
 Context
 Message
 Audience
 Purpose
 Product
Important Terminologies
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 Context
 For instructions, the context
includes where a document
will be read and how it will
be used.

Important Terminologies
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 Message
 the operation of a product or
the execution of a process.

Important Terminologies
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 Audience
 readers who approach your
instructions with the aim of
carrying them out.

 Your audience will vary:

 Primary readers
 Secondary readers
 Tertiary readers
 Gatekeepers
Important Terminologies
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 Audience School System
Primary Readers: Action-takers Students

Secondary Readers: Advisors Teachers

Tertiary Readers: Evaluators Subject Chairs

Gatekeepers: Supervisors Academic Coordinators

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 Purpose
 enable your reader to safely and
correctly execute a process or use a
product.

 Insturctions and documentation should

include a one-sentence purpose
statement at the beginning of the
document.

Important Terminologies
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 Product
 Digital or on paper.

 Paper instructions tend to

accompany technical products.

Important Terminologies
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 Instructions
 Title
 Introduction
 List of Requirements
 Tools
 Parts
 Materials
 Conditions
 Numbered Steps
 Step 1
 Step 2
 Step 3
 Comments, Notes,
Examples
 Graphics
 Hazard Statements
Parts of Instructions  Troubleshooting
 Conclusion 20
 Title
 Specific to the subject of the
instructions.
 Clearly describe the task that readers
intend to complete.

 Bad Example: Related Rates Problems

 Good Example: Steps in Solving

Related Problems

Parts of Instructions
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 Introduction
 Contains all necessary background
information on the subject.
 All instructions should contain a
purpose statement or a statement
of why the user should be reading
the instructions

Classic Monopoly Rules

Object: The object of the game is to
become the wealthiest player through
buying, renting and selling property.

Parts of Instructions 22
 Introduction
Explains:

 The difficulty level of the task.

 The gravity of performing the
task incorrectly
 How long it will take to complete
the task
 How much of the instructions
they must read before they get
started.

Parts of Instructions
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List of Requirements
 Tools
 Parts
 Materials
 Conditions

Parts of Instructions
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Numbered Steps
Steps are the centerpiece of
instructions.

 Identify the steps in the task

 Write the Steps with Clarity,
Accuracy and Safety
 Comments, Notes and
Examples
 Trouble Shooting
 Hazard Statements
 Conclusion Parts of Instructions
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 Identify Steps in the Task
 To create a logical order for your
instructions, you must identify the steps
required to complete the task.

 Use logical mapping techniques to

determine the steps.

Numbered Steps
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Write the Steps with Clarity, Accuracy and Safety
 Begin with preparatory steps.
 Maintain strict chronological order
 Use command voice
 Write short, straightforward sentences
 Include only one action per step
 Define a specific goal for each step
 Give exact dimensions and measurements.
 Include repeated steps.
 Do not omit any steps, no matter how obvious they seem.

Parts of Instructions 27
 Comments

 Notes

 Examples Parts of Instructions

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Troubleshooting
 Systematic search for the source of
a failure in a specific task in order
to solve the problem.

 Include a description of the

problem’s symptom.

Parts of Instructions
29
Hazard Statements
 Prevent injury or product damage

 Provide safety information,

warning readers of potential
dangers

 Most technical writers use a

three-tiered rating system for
safety information: danger,
warning and caution.
Parts of Instructions
30
 Conclusion
 Inform the readers that they
have finished the steps.

 Described the finished product,

offer information about how it
works, explain how it can be
modified or details what the
readers might do after
completing the task.

Parts of Instructions
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Solving for the Derivative of a function using
Delta Method
STEPS:
1. In the given equation, replace x with x + ∆𝑥 and y
with y + ∆𝑦 and simplify.
2. Find ∆𝑦 by subtracting the given equation from the
equation obtained in step 1. Simplify.
3. Divide both sides of the equation obtained in step 2
by ∆𝑥. Simplify.
4. Find the limit as ∆𝑥 → 0.

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Instructions
 Performace Test
 Find readers to perform
the task your
instructions describe.

 Safety Test
 focuses on safety.

User Testing
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 Instructions
 Tone, voice and word choice

 Formal instructions may require third-person

voice, no contractions and strict traditional
grammar.

 Casual Instructions can be written in command

voice and use more common words.

 As with all technical writing, avoid using jargon

or overly specific or slang technical words.

Style  Avoid a patronizing tone in your instructions.

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 Instructions
 Clean and easy to read.
 Use white space liberally in your design
around headings, notes, hazard statement
and graphics
 Two-column design
 Provide readers with visual representation of
the task (Graphics such as
illustrations,photos, diagrams and figures).
 Keep graphics as simple as possible.
 Don’t begin an instruction at the bottom of
one page and complete it at the top of the
next.
Design
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 Instructions
 Your readers are completely reliant on
you and your instructions for accurate
and complete information that keeps
themselves and others safe.

 Remember to keep in mind accuracy,

clarity and safety.

 Provide instructions that are written in

a clear way.

 Prioritize the safety of your readers.

Conclusion
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Assessment

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Read and analyze each of the following questions. Choose the letter of your answer.

1. What kind of instructions usually apply to situations that require greater

exactness and precision?
A. Documentation
B. Procedures
C. Product
D. Protocols
2. Which of the following audiences approve instructions before they go out to the
primary users?
A. Gatekeepers
B. Primary readers
C. Secondary readers
D. Tertiary readers
3. Which of the following refers to a systematic search for the source of a failure in a
specific task in order to solve the problem?
A. Comments
B. Hazard Statements
C. Notes
D. Troubleshooting Assessment 38
4. Which of the following best describes instructions?
A. Instructions always contain numbered steps.
B. Instructions are a type of process writing.
C. Instructions are one type of writing where the readers rely heavily on the writer.
D. All of the above.
5. Which of the following is correct about the audience who will approach your instruction?
A. Gatekeepers: Action-takers
B. Primary readers: Advisors
C. Secondary readers: Supervisors
D. Tertiary readers: Evaluators
6. Which of the following provides safety information, warning readers of potential dangers?
A. Comments
B. Hazard Statements
C. Notes
D. Troubleshooting
7. Which of the following statements is not true about the design of your istructions?
A. Avoid using jargon or overly specific or slang technical words.
B. Don’t begin an instruction at the bottom of one page and complete it at the top of the
next.
C. Instructions should be clean and easy to read.
D. Keep graphics as simple as possible.
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8. Which of the following is not true in writing the speech with clarity, accuracy and safety?
A. Begin with preparatory steps.
B. Maintain strict chronological order
C. Use monotonous voice
D. Write short, straightforward sentences
9. Which of the following audiences use your documentation to complete a task?
A. Gatekeepers
B. Primary readers
C. Secondary readers
D. Tertiary readers
10. Which of the following is not a part of instructions?
A. Conclusion
B. Introduction
C. Protocols
D. Title

Assessment 40
Essay Questions:
1.What is the importance of following instructions in our daily
basis? What are the characteristics of a good instruction?

2. How to write a good instruction? What are the important

things to remember in writing instructions?

Assessment 41