The Instructions Project focuses on explaining how to use or care for the item you focused on in your Technical Description assignment. To meet the expectations of the project you need to tell the reader everything necessary to complete the task that you choose, from the beginning to the end of the process.
Instructions Project Criteria
Length
Write or compose as much as you need to, but be sure to include all of the required information. There is no specific length requirement, just be sure to cover how to complete the primary research task fully.
Checklist Requirements
My Instructions Project . . .
Check These Sources
From Technical Communication:
- Guidelines: Organizing Information Chronologically, on page 155.
- Focus on Process: Instructions, starting on page 572.
- Designing a Set of Written Instructions, on page 575.
- GUIDELINES: Designing Clear, Attractive Page, starting on page 577.
- Planning for Safety, starting on page 578.
- GUIDELINES: Drafting Introductions for Instructions, starting on page 581.
- GUIDELINES: Drafting Steps in Instructions, starting on page 582.
- A Look at Several Sample Sets of Instructions, starting on page 583.
- Focuses on the same item that you chose for your Technical Description assignment.
- Has a clear title that is specific to the instructions (p. 581).
- Opens with an introduction that (p. 581):
- states the purpose of the task.
- describes the safety measures or other ethical concerns that readers should understand (pp. 578–580).
- lists the necessary tools and materials.
- Includes step-by-step instructions that are
- numbered (p. 582).
- organized chronologically, from the beginning to the end of the task (p. 155).
- expressed in the imperative mood (p. 582); for help with active verbs, watch Technical Writing: Quick Start Guides » Begin each step with a verb (Video, 3m 36s).
- separated so that a single action is described in each step, with any feedback statements included in the step it refers to (p. 582).
- accompanied by appropriate graphics (p. 583).
- Ends with a conclusion that includes (p. 583)
- any necessary follow-up advice.
- if appropriate, troubleshooting information.
- Uses professional design and formatting that does the following:
- Makes a good first impression as a polished, professional project.
- Includes adequate white space, for an uncluttered appearance (pp. 576–577).
- Makes positive use of the CRAP Design Principles (p. 256).
- Makes information easy for readers to find and read.
- Emphasizes important information.
- Uses well-integrated and well-designed visuals to clarify the information (pp. 576–577).