An instructional text is a type of text that explains in a simple and orderly manner how to carry out a certain activity .
Typically, these are activities that require a relatively long or complex process. The purpose of instructional text is to guide the reader through a procedure, step by step.
That is, its main function is to provide clear and precise instructions so that someone can execute an action correctly.
Instructional text helps you carry out the task it describes in an orderly and efficient manner, such as assembling a piece of furniture or the steps to follow if you need to evacuate a vehicle.
It’s very common for commonly used products or devices, such as household appliances or electronics, to include instructional text when purchased.
It is also common for them to accompany games or complex use sections, such as a car or a home security system.
Furthermore, in hazardous activities or environments, such as the use of machinery or chemicals, these texts ensure that actions are carried out safely and correctly.
Characteristics of an instructional text
- Responds to a need: The information provided in an instructional text should always be necessary. This is the purpose of the text itself. Therefore, information that doesn’t help in the process of carrying out the activity we are helping the student perform should not be included.
- It’s always clear: The language used in an instruction manual must always be clear and precise, without vagueness or any kind of misunderstanding. To achieve this, a direct and easy-to-understand tone is usually used. The text often addresses the reader directly, simulating the instructions that would be given if the communication were spoken.
- Use technical language: The language used will depend on the topic at hand. But most commonly, the vocabulary used is technical or specific. This helps ensure the precision of the instructions provided, avoiding misunderstandings. However, sometimes familiarity with the context is required to fully understand.
- Its tone is imperative: this is the most direct way to tell someone what they should do without beating around the bush. Furthermore, since the sentences are not part of a continuous text, starting them with an imperative tone is especially useful in this type of text.
- It’s sequential: The text is always organized sequentially. That is, step by step, dividing the task into different parts and describing each one individually. This makes it easier to follow. For this purpose, they are often numbered.
- Include graphic elements: It’s very common for this type of text to be supported by illustrations, photographs, signs, icons, or other graphic elements. You can even add diagrams or charts to make the format and reading experience as clear and visual as possible.
- Include examples: Instructional texts sometimes include examples to help clarify how an action should be performed. This allows the user to more clearly visualize how to perform the described action.
- Warnings of dangers: This is especially relevant when it comes to user manuals for certain objects. This is even more so if they include dangerous elements. It’s also common to indicate how the object shouldn’t be used or what shouldn’t be done during the process described in the text.
- The use of captions is common: It is very common to use captions to clarify the symbolism of the text. This type of text often requires captions to clearly and precisely describe the objects referred to in a drawing, photograph, or diagram, or to what the symbols that appear throughout the text refer.
Parts of an instructional text
The instructional text, regardless of the type or format used, always has five elements:
- Title, which usually coincides with the objective of the text. That is, the title tells us the purpose of the text itself. Therefore, they are clear and very precise.
- Description of the materials, ingredients or elements necessary to carry out the procedure.
- Steps, one by one. These are usually presented separately and supported by graphic material.
- Warnings. These are information that should be taken into account or necessary to carefully carry out the procedure indicated in the text.
- Legends, when necessary. These are useful for explaining specific symbols or icons that appear throughout the text.
Types of instructional text (with examples)
When creating an instructional text, you can use different formats: written, graphic, or audiovisual, or a mixture of some or all at once.
Among the most common types of instructional text we find:
User manuals
They explain how to use any object, from a device to a computer program to an aircraft. They all provide detailed descriptions of how the object in question works and also how to use it, both for the first time and in everyday use. They also often include safety warnings or instructions on how not to use it.
Example: Instruction manual for a washing machine.
Regulations
This is a type of instructional text that establishes norms, rules, or guidelines to be followed in specific locations. Regulations seek, through instructions and orders on what can and cannot be done, to clearly communicate what is permitted, prohibited, or recommended.
The goal is to organize and streamline the functioning of all types of organizations, from businesses to book clubs, as in the example below.
Example: rules of a reading club.
Game instructions
They explain each of the rules of a game and without them it would be impossible to play it.
Game instructions usually accompany the game and should be written clearly and simply, using language appropriate to the age and skill level of the potential players.
They should also include the response to be given to the different situations that may arise during the game.
Example: instructions for a board game, questions and answers.
Action protocols
They establish a series of steps or guidelines to follow in the event of certain events. They are very common for indicating evacuation procedures from means of transportation such as airplanes or trains, or for communicating protocols to follow in hospitals, prisons, or areas with certain risks.
They must be clear and detailed to carry out a task or respond to a specific situation.
Example: aircraft evacuation protocol .
Goal planning
These are roadmaps for achieving different goals. They are very common when it comes to dieting, regaining mobility after a broken bone, or improving study skills, among other things.
They can be created by a professional or handcrafted by the users themselves, in order to plan their activity around a specific goal.
Example: work-life balance plan.
Assembly instructions
This is a classic example of instructional text, which offers the steps to follow for the assembly or construction of a certain object.
This is very common in furniture assembly, but also in small appliances. They usually include images of each step so they can be followed more clearly. They also often include a legend of symbols, indicating which part each drawing or symbol refers to.
Example: assembly instructions for a modular wardrobe .
Safety instructions
Safety instructions are always instructive texts, which indicate the basic rules for maintaining safety in a space or when using a specific object.
Safety regulations often also include images, so they can be understood almost at a glance or in emergency or risky situations, where potential users may have little time to read them carefully.
Example: elevator safety instructions.
Cooking recipes
They are another classic type of instructional text, since their objective is to guide the preparation of culinary recipes.
They usually first include a list of ingredients to be used, so that users have them in mind before following the recipe. They then provide the steps to follow and specify the quantities to include of each ingredient, as well as the cooking, frying, resting, marinating, and other times for each preparation.
It is usually also accompanied by one or more photographs of the dish in question.
Example: pancake preparation recipe .
Route maps or plans
These are instructional texts in which visuals often predominate over words. They indicate the path to follow in specific spaces.
They are designed to guide the user through a space, such as tourist routes through a city, mountain routes, or a map of the road network in a specific location.
Its objective is to provide clear and organized information to follow that route and reach a destination.
