Welcome to Writing: Instructions and Non-chronological Reports!

In this chapter, we are going to learn how to write to share information and tell people how to do things. Whether you are writing a recipe for a magic potion or a fact file about space, these skills will help you become an expert writer. We will look at how to organize your ideas so that your reader can follow them easily!

Note: This chapter focuses on non-fiction writing. If you want to learn about telling stories, check out the chapter on Narrative Writing: Setting, Character, and Plot.

Part 1: Writing Instructions

Instructions tell the reader how to do something or how to make something. Think of them like a map that guides someone from the start to the finish of a task.

Key Features of Instructions

When you write instructions, you need to use specific "tools" to make them clear:

  • Commands (Imperative Verbs): These are "bossy verbs" that tell the reader exactly what to do. Examples: Mix the flour, Cut the paper, Stop the timer.
  • Bullet Points and Numbered Lists: These help to break down the information so it isn't just one big block of text.
  • Chronological Order: This means writing the steps in the order they happen in time. You wouldn't tell someone to "eat the cake" before "bake the cake"!
  • Organizational Devices: Use headings like "What You Need" and "Method" to help the reader find information quickly.

Step-by-Step: How to Write Instructions

1. A Clear Title: Use a "How to..." title so the reader knows the purpose immediately.

2. Equipment or Ingredients: List everything needed before starting. Use bullet points for this.

3. Clear Steps: Use numbers for each step. Start each step with a command.

4. Use Adverbials: Words like "First," "Next," "After that," and "Finally" help show the sequence of events. When you put these at the start of a sentence, they are called fronted adverbials and usually need a comma after them (e.g., First, wash your hands.).

Quick Tip: If you find bossy verbs hard to remember, just imagine you are a robot giving orders! "Pick up. Place there. Turn around."

Part 2: Non-chronological Reports

A non-chronological report is a piece of non-fiction writing that gives information about a topic. Unlike instructions or stories, it is not written in time order. You can read the paragraphs in almost any order and they would still make sense!

How to Organize Your Report

Because these reports have a lot of facts, we use layout devices to keep them tidy:

  • Title: Tells the reader the main subject (e.g., "All About Volcanoes").
  • Introduction: A short paragraph explaining what the report is about.
  • Headings and Sub-headings: These act like labels for different themes. For a report on sharks, you might have sub-headings like "Diet," "Habitat," and "Amazing Facts."
  • Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on one theme or idea.
  • Bullet Points: Great for listing facts or types of things.

Building Cohesion

Cohesion is a fancy word for making your writing "stick together" so it flows nicely. You can do this by:

  • Using Pronouns: Instead of saying "The Great White Shark" in every sentence, you can use "It" or "They" to avoid repetition.
  • Adverbials: Use words like "Additionally," "Furthermore," or "In contrast" to link your facts together.
  • Word Families: Using words related to your topic (e.g., in a report on trees, you might use leaf, branch, root, and trunk).

Did you know? Non-chronological reports usually use the present tense because the facts are true right now!

Part 3: Language and Tone

When writing instructions or reports, we usually use Standard English. This means avoiding slang or "text speak."

Formal vs. Informal

Instructions and reports are usually quite formal because they are designed to give information clearly.
Informal: "Stick the bits together with some gloop."
Formal: "Attach the components using a strong adhesive."

Degrees of Possibility

Sometimes in a report, we aren't \(100\%\) sure about a fact, or something only happens sometimes. We use modal verbs to show this:
- "The volcano will erupt." (Certain)
- "The volcano might erupt." (Possible)
- "The volcano could erupt." (Possible)

Summary Checklist

Don't worry if this seems like a lot to remember! Use this quick review list when you are writing:

  • Purpose: Why am I writing? (To explain how to do something or to give facts?)
  • Audience: Who am I writing for? (Use the right level of formality.)
  • Commands: Did I use bossy verbs for my instructions?
  • Sub-headings: Did I use labels to organize my report themes?
  • Punctuation: Did I use bullet points, commas after fronted adverbials, and full stops?

Common Mistake to Avoid: In a non-chronological report, try not to start every sentence the same way (like starting every sentence with "The..."). Use different adverbials or pronouns to keep your writing interesting!

Key Takeaways

Instructions use chronological order (time order), numbers, and commands.
Non-chronological reports use sub-headings and paragraphs to organize facts by theme, rather than by time.
Both types of writing use organizational devices like bullet points and headings to make the information easy for the reader to find.