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).
Video - Story structure
Watch this video to learn how to write instructions.
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.
How to write instructions
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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 verbA verb is a word used to describe an action (doing something) or state (being something). 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 connectivesWords and phrases which link or show connections between sentences and paragraphs. 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 adverbAn adverb is a word that describes a verb (an action or a doing word). For example, the word 'quickly' is an adverb as it tells us how fast someone did something. to give detail and to describe how something should be done. For example, 'finely chop'.
Adjectives
- Add adjectiveA word which describes a noun or pronoun. to help describe your nounA naming word for an object, idea, person or place.: 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.'
Key words about structuring a story
- Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. 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.'
- Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. 鈥 A large spoon with a cup-shaped bowl. For example: 'He give the workers a big ladle of their favourite soup.'
- Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. 鈥 A part of a whole thing. For example: 'They were able to share the cake equally by giving a smaller portion.'
Test your knowledge
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
More on Factual writing
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