Introduction: The Art of Giving Direction

In the IB Language B course, knowing how to advise, instruct, and recommend is a superpower! Whether you are writing a letter to a friend about a great book (Personal Text), drafting a proposal for a school project (Professional Text), or writing a travel guide (Mass Media Text), these functions help you guide your audience effectively. This chapter will show you the exact "tools" (vocabulary and structures) you need to do this with confidence, ensuring you meet the requirements for Criterion A (Language) and Criterion C (Conceptual Understanding) in your exams.

1. Advising: The Gentle Guide

Advising is about offering suggestions to help someone make a decision. Unlike an order, advice is usually something the person can choose to follow or not. In the IB themes, you might advise someone on their Health and well-being (Identities) or how to handle Social relationships (Social organization).

Key Vocabulary and Structures

  • Modal Verbs: Use should, ought to, or might want to.
  • Conditional "If" Sentences: "If I were you, I would..." or "If you want to improve your health, you should..."
  • Softening Phrases: "Perhaps you could...", "It might be a good idea to...", or "Have you thought about...?"

Pro-tip: The "Softening Phrases" are great for keeping a polite register when you don't want to sound too bossy!

2. Instructing: The Clear Path

Instructing is more direct. You are telling someone exactly how to do something. This is very common in Professional Texts like a "set of instructions" or a manual. Think about instructing someone on how to use new Technology (Human ingenuity) or how to volunteer for an Environmental project (Sharing the planet).

Key Vocabulary and Structures

  • The Imperative (Command) Form: Use direct verbs like "Start by...", "Click here...", or "Do not forget to...".
  • Sequence Markers: To make instructions clear, always use order words:
    1. First / Firstly
    2. Second / Secondly / Next
    3. Then / After that
    4. Finally / Lastly
  • Clarity and Precision: Avoid "flowery" language. Use clear, factual words.

Did you know? In a "set of instructions" for Paper 1, using bullet points and numbered lists is actually part of the text-type conventions that examiners look for!

3. Recommending: The Strong Endorsement

Recommending is when you tell someone that something is good and they should definitely try it. You are "selling" an idea, a place, or a thing. You might recommend a Leisure activity (Experiences) or a Scientific innovation (Human ingenuity).

Key Vocabulary and Structures

  • Strong Verbs: "I (strongly) recommend...", "I suggest...", "I advocate for...", or "I propose...".
  • Positive Adjectives: Use words like essential, beneficial, effective, inspiring, or worthwhile.
  • The "Worth" Structure: "It is well worth visiting..." or "This book is worth reading because..."

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't forget the "that" clause. Incorrect: I recommend you to go. Correct: I recommend that you go.

4. Matching the Tone to your Audience

One of the most important parts of Language B is Conceptual Understanding (Audience and Purpose). Your advice must change based on who you are talking to!

  • Informal (Friends/Family): "You've got to try this!" or "Why don't you just...?"
  • Formal (Principal/Employer/General Public): "It is highly recommended that..." or "Management suggests that employees..."

Note: For more on how to choose the right "level" of language, see the chapter on "Register, tone and formality".

5. Quick Review: Theme-Based Examples

Let's see how these look across the IB themes:

  • Identities (Health): "To maintain a balanced lifestyle, you should exercise for at least \(30\) minutes a day." (Advising)
  • Experiences (Travel): "I strongly recommend visiting the local museum; it is a fascinating rite of passage." (Recommending)
  • Sharing the Planet (Environment): "First, separate your recyclables. Next, place them in the blue bin." (Instructing)

Key Takeaway: Advising is helpful and suggestive. Instructing is direct and step-by-step. Recommending is enthusiastic and persuasive. Always use Sequence Markers for instructions and Modal Verbs for advice!

Summary for Success

When you sit for your Paper 1 writing or your Individual Oral, remember these three "golden rules":

  1. Check the Task: Does it ask you to help (advise), teach (instruct), or promote (recommend)?
  2. Check the Audience: Should you be formal or informal?
  3. Use Variety: Don't just say "should" over and over. Mix it up with "If I were you..." or "It is advisable to..." to boost your Criterion A score.

Don't worry if it feels like a lot of words to memorize—start by picking two favorite phrases for each category and practice using them in your next writing assignment!