Instructional articles tell the reader how to do something. Subjects can range from the sublime (how to survive the rat race) to the mundane (how to make a ham sandwich), but the writing needs to be especially clear since these articles allow readers the opportunity to learn. Instructional articles should be written in a straightforward, informal style. Writers should avoid editorializing and focusing on overly personal accounts.

The fundamentals of instructional writing:

1. Know your subject thoroughly.
2. Know your audience and be able to put yourself in their place.
3. Be clear, concise and consistent in your word choices.
4. Use the active voice as often as possible.
5. Express steps to be performed as commands or requests: “Do this. Then do that.”
6. Use appropriate formatting cues to aid in comprehension.
7. Limit the use of the word “I.”

Tone

You are writing to inform, to teach and to instruct. Use clear, concise wording with short, simple statements. Be consistent in your word choices. If you need to use words that your reader might not be familiar with (such as technical jargon), make sure you define them on first usage to avoid confusion.

Writing the introduction

The introduction should be brief and should give an overview of what the article is about. Give any background needed to understand the instructions and the audience the article is intended for (if necessary). For example, if you are describing how to make a souffle, indicate in the introduction that this is not a culinary feat for beginners (or the faint of heart). Personal details relevant to your subject (e.g., “This key lime pie recipe has been in my family for generations”) can spice up an otherwise dry listing of instructions. The introduction is the best place to add a little pep.

Writing the instructions

Your main focus should be on the clarity of your instructions.

• Organize your article so that instructions follow a natural progression of steps. Directions that are out of order can frustrate readers and make your article less effective.
• Break up the information by steps for easy comprehension.
• Use formatting cues (such as double-spaced paragraph breaks) to clarify steps so they are visually distinct to the reader. Numbered lists are ideal for clearly conveying a sequence of actions to be performed in a precise order, such as a recipe or technical instructions.
• For a recipe, list the ingredients in the order in which they are used.

Writer resources for instruction writing

• How to write instructions for busy, grouchy people
• How to write technical instructions