Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS

EXAMPLE 1:

Write a set of 10 instructions to be followed by the road users for the best and effective use of roads.

1. Follow the signals and signs of the road.

2. Avoid talking on the phone while riding/driving.

3. Avoid overspeeding and overtaking unnecessarily.

4. Maintain a safe distance between vehicles.

5. Use seat belts, helmets while using four wheelers / two-wheeler respectively.

6. Maintain lane discipline.

7. Maintain vehicles in perfect condition.

8. Avoid overtaking

9. Use zebra-crossing to cross the road.

10. Create awareness on the importance of following traffic rules.

EXAMPLE 2: Imagine that you bought 100 IBM computers for your institute. You as the Chief of the Processing Unit have to give instructions to your subordinate to install them. Write the process of installing them as bullet points.

• Take the computer parts out of the box.

• Place the computer on a table or flat surface.

• Configure and install IBM Control Center engine.

• Connect the CPU, keyboard and the mouse.

• Check all the parts.

• Install the setup disc into the drive and mount it.

• Install Window installation media and boot the computer using a disc drive.

• Install all the necessary softwares.

EXAMPLE 3

Write a set of eight instructions for students who are going to move into the hostel for the first time.

1. Avoid having fear of seniors because most of them just tease but later become very friendly and helpful.

2. Smile at the security guard at the entrance of the hostel. He may be of help at times in the future.

3. Be friendly with your roommates and neighbours. Maintaining a cordial relationship is essential to have a comfortable stay in the room.

4. Try to be organized from the first day by keeping things and books organized in a particular place, maintaining a time to sleep and wake up, etc.

5. Try to keep your place clean and presentable. Avoid littering with clothes or paper or food.

6. Take extra caution about your valuables like watch, mobile, laptop, wallet, etc. Avoid showing off your luxuries. Be observant of those entering your room.

7. Say 'No' to any activity that is illegal or you don't like in the initial days itself. Don't succumbto pressure from your peers or seniors.

8. Do not hesitate to inform your authorities in case of any issues.

EXAMPLE 4:

Write a set of eight instructions for your younger brother/sister who is going to write his/her board exams this year.

1. Study your books with focus and concentration. Have short breaks after every 30-40 minutes.

2. Start your studies with already well-versed subjects and gradually proceed to subjects that you think are a little tough.

3. Do not stay awake for the whole night and study. Sleep at least for seven hours to keep yourself agile and healthy

4. Avoid distractions like watching movies filled with horror or negative actions. Try to fill yourself with positive thoughts.

5. Avoid using gadgets. Instead short physical activity will help to enhance the brain's ability to read, retain and recall.

6. Eat nutritious food and keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough water. It keeps your brain relaxed and concentrated.

7. Practise writing the answers. Take as many mock tests as possible.

8. If you have any fear, do not hesitate to share with your favourite or motivating teacher, parent or a friend.

EXAMPLE 5

Write a set of eight instructions that are to be followed by the citizens of India to keep the environment clean and green.

(a) (i) Plant saplings, wherever possible and grow trees.

 (ii) Do not cut trees, in the name of development.

(iii) Use green fuels or bio fuels for transportation, for industrial and domestic purposes.

(iv) Maintain the vehicles in good condition

(v) Segregate the waste at source and dispose the garbage properly.

(vi) Avoid using plastic bags.

(vii) Do not spit in the public places.

(viii) Preserve the water bodies by not dumping waste into them.

EXAMPLE 6

Write a set of Write a set of 8 instructions of the following: "Giving first Aid to a victim of a road accident".

(1) Survey the scene and the victim. Remove the victim to the side of the road, if possible to a of sheltered place.

(2) Try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure on the bleeding side.

(3) Give artificial respiration if the victim is struggling for breathe.

(4) Handle the victim carefully, in case of fractures or minor dislocations to prevent compound fracture or other complications. Handle the Victims with neck or spinal injuries very carefully.

(5) Do not crowd round the victim and prevent airflow.

(6) Open the victim's mouth to ensure that the tongue has not fallen back, or blood clot or vomit is choking the air passage. Slightly tilt the head to raise the tongue from the back for the clot or vomit to come out, so that the victim can breathe.

(7) Send a SOS call for ambulance/police etc., or transfer the victim to a nearby hospital.

(8) More than anything, reassure the victim by being cheerful with them and offering spiritual support.

EXAMPLE 7

Write a set of 8 instructions of the following:

"To maintain two-wheelers and four-wheelers in good working condition"

(1) Keep your two or four wheeler clean and sparkling bright.

(2) Take care to lubricate parts like the clutch, gear, brake, etc at regular intervals.

(3) Check the tyres and wind shields of the vehicles which are constantly exposed to road grease, bad roads, etc.

(4) Service the vehicles after every 500 kms by changing engine oil, replacing oil filter, inspecting air cleaner, checking electrical equipment, switches, etc.

(5) Before starting your vehicle, briefly walk around to visually check the tyre pressure condition, check for oil or coolant leak, wiper, rear view mirror condition, etc.

(6) Maintain fuel efficiency of your car by following certain traffic regulations like not idling at traffic signals, maintaining tyre pressure, driving at steady speed of 45 to 55km/hr. etc.,

(7) Use quality petrol/diesel from authorized outlets.

(8) Adhere to safety rules by wearing the helmet / seat belt so that during a crash, the force of rapid decelaration will spread evenly on the body and prevent much damage to the body

EXAMPLE 8

Write a set of eight instructions that are to be followed by commuters to ensure safe and happy journey while travelling in buses.

1. Board the bus when it stops in the bus stop.

2. Take the necessary change for getting the ticket.

3. Get your ticket as soon as you get into the bus.

4. Ensure that your ticket is safe till you get down.

5. Keep your belongings safe, in order to avoid theft.

6. Do not stand on the footboard and travel.

7. Hold the clamp tightly while standing inside the bus.

8. Do not get down while the bus is moving and wait till it stops.

EXAMPLE 9: Write a set of eight instructions for ensuring safety in nuclear plants.

1. Make sure that nuclear plants are constructed away from the residential areas.

2. Ensure that the nuclear power plant is constructed of thick concrete structure.

3. Use control rods to slow down the reaction.

4. Ensure that the workers wear proper clothes and accessories, while working in the plant.

5. Check for radiation levels periodically.

6. Make sure that the radiation is within the permissible level.

7. Do ensure that there are adequate waste disposal facilities.

8. Do have emergency systems to cope with unexpected failures.

EXAMPLE 10: Write a list of eight instructions for students who appear for campus

i. Prepare your resume with care and effort.

ii. Take additional copies of your resume.

iii. Prepare answers for expected questions in the interview.

iv. Know about the company through your friends and acquaintances or by visiting the

company website.

v. Have an idea about the recruitment procedure, so that you can prepare accordingly.

vi. Wear a formal attire and look neat.

vii. Do not get panic and approach the interview with confidence.

viii. Be genuine in your answers and approach.

EXPLANATION

Writing instructions find an important place in technical writing. One needs to make instructions for various purposes such as installing a new software package, assembling a piece of equipment, using a new device, trouble shooting a problem and so on. In general, instructions should be clear, precise, understandable, complete and above all, user-friendly.

Guidelines to write instructions:

1. Use the imperative form. e.g. "Close the lid lightly”.

2. Begin each step with an action verb.

3. Frame each step in such a way that it focuses on a single task.

4. Number the steps to avoid ambiguity and ensure the correct order of the procedure.

5. Leave enough white space between steps.

6. If numbered steps are not practical, use a standard paragraph format with the appropriate transition words such as 'first', 'next', 'then', 'finally', to show the sequence of action.

7. Use the words 'Notes', 'Tips', 'Caution' and 'Warnings', wherever necessary in order to highlight the important information.

8. Use simple and direct language free from jargon and ambiguity.

9. Review your document for technical accuracy.

EXERCISE

1. Write a set of eight instructions that are to be given to your friend in the USA who is visiting Chennai for the first time.

2. Assume that you have bought a new expensive laptop. Your friends also want to use the laptop. Prepare a set of instructions for them to use the laptop carefully.

3. As the maintenance engineer of a software company, give a set of eight instructions that are to be followed by lab assistents, while handling sophisticated equipment.

4. Write a set of eight instructions that are to be followed while constructing a shamiana.

5. Your friend is going to take part in an inter collegiate sports tournament. Write eight instructions that have to be given to your friend before he/she leaves.

6. Write a set of eight instructions for safety while using welding equipment.

7. Write a set of instructions for operating the ticket vending machine at a railway

8. Write a set of instruction that could be followd to reduce water pollution.