Writing Instructions
BasicUse imperatives.
- Instruction shape: materials (You need...) → steps → closing (Enjoy!).
- Order words: First → Then → Next → Finally.
- Start every step with an imperative verb: Cut, Add, Mix, Wait.
文體小知識：Step by step.
§Text Passage
1How to Make a Fruit Salad
2Today, let me show you how to make a fruit salad. It is easy, healthy and yummy. You do not need a stove, so it is a good job for young cooks. A fruit salad is a great snack for a hot summer day. It only takes twenty minutes. Making it is fun. Just follow my simple steps.
3First, wash your hands and get a big bowl. Second, you need an apple, a banana, an orange and some grapes. Wash all the fruit carefully with clean water. Then, peel the banana and the orange. Next, cut the fruit into small pieces. Be careful with the knife! After that, put all the pieces into the bowl.
4Then mix them all with a big spoon. Finally, add some yogurt or honey on top. You can also add other fruit you like, such as strawberries. Put the bowl in the fridge for ten minutes. Everyone in my family loves it, and yours will too. I hope you like this recipe. Now, enjoy your yummy fruit salad!
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
How to Make a Fruit Salad
如何製作水果沙律
Today, let me show you how to make a fruit salad.
今天讓我教你整水果沙律。
It is easy, healthy and yummy.
又簡單、又健康、又好吃。
You do not need a stove, so it is a good job for young cooks.
不需要用煮食爐，好適合年紀小的小廚師。
A fruit salad is a great snack for a hot summer day.
生果沙律是炎熱夏日的絕佳小食。
It only takes twenty minutes.
只需要二十分鐘。
Making it is fun.
整的過程好好玩。
Just follow my simple steps.
跟著我幾個簡單步驟做就可以。
First, wash your hands and get a big bowl.
首先，把雙手洗乾淨，拿一個大碗。
Second, you need an apple, a banana, an orange and some grapes.
第二，你要準備一個蘋果、一條香蕉、一個橙同一些提子。
Wash all the fruit carefully with clean water.
用清水小心沖洗所有水果。
Then, peel the banana and the orange.
接著剝香蕉皮同橙皮。
Next, cut the fruit into small pieces.
之後將水果切成小塊。
Be careful with the knife!
用刀要小心！
After that, put all the pieces into the bowl.
然後將所有水果放入大碗裡。
Then mix them all with a big spoon.
接著用大湯匙把它們全部拌勻。
Finally, add some yogurt or honey on top.
最後加一些乳酪或者蜜糖在上面。
You can also add other fruit you like, such as strawberries.
還可以加一些自己喜歡的水果，例如士多啤梨。
Put the bowl in the fridge for ten minutes.
將碗放入雪櫃冷藏十分鐘。
Everyone in my family loves it, and yours will too.
我家個個都喜歡吃，你家人也一定會喜歡。
I hope you like this recipe.
希望你喜歡這個食譜。
Now, enjoy your yummy fruit salad!
現在，慢慢享受你的美味生果沙律！
1Summary 重點摘要
Use imperatives.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Start.
Next.
After.
End.
Required.
Stage.
Combine.
Put in more.
3Step by step Steps
- MaterialsBegin an instruction text by listing the materials, using the pattern You need plus a list of nouns. Example: You need: apples, bananas, grapes and yogurt. Join the last two items with and and separate the others with commas. If an amount matters, put a number or a quantifier before the noun, such as two apples and a bottle of milk, so that the reader can prepare all the materials at once.
- StepsLink the steps with order words: First, Then, Next and Finally. Example: First, wash the rice. Finally, serve it in a bowl. Order words go at the start of the sentence and are followed by a comma. The steps must follow the real order of the task, or the instructions will not work. Finally is only for the last step; use Then and Next alternately before it to keep the writing from sounding repetitive.
- VerbsAn instruction sentence begins with the base form of the verb, as in Cut the apples and Mix the fruit. This is the feature of imperatives: the subject you is left out and the verb starts the sentence. The verb takes no s, no ing and no to, so never write To cut the apples. Use one main verb per step so that each action stays clear. Think about the action first, and then choose the most accurate verb to express it.
- EndInstruction texts often end with a short wish or reminder, such as Enjoy! Done! Let it cool. The ending can be one word with an exclamation mark, or a short reminder such as Wait for five minutes. The exclamation mark gives a light and happy tone. After the ending, the instructions are complete and no further explanation is needed. A complete set of instructions includes the materials, the steps and the ending, and all three parts are necessary.
- Imperative verbs firstAn imperative sentence starts with the base verb, as in Add the water. Do not write You add the water; instructions value brevity, and leaving out the subject is the convention. To sound more polite, add please at the start or the end, as in Please add the water. The negative imperative begins with Don't, as in Don't touch the hot pan. Mastering these forms keeps your instructions in the right style and earns the format marks.
- Test your writingTest the instructions after writing: ask a classmate to follow your steps once; if they can complete the task, you pass — if not, revise. Example: Ask a classmate to follow your instructions. During the test, look for steps that are unclear or missing, such as a forgotten cutting step that blocks the whole process. Revise by adding the missing order words or verbs. This kind of test reveals problems you cannot notice yourself, and it is an effective way to improve instruction writing.
5Worked example Example
Question: How do we write step-by-step instructions for making a fruit salad?
- Step 1: List the materials, starting with You need — You need: apples, bananas, grapes and yogurt.
- Step 2: Write the first step with First — First, wash the fruit.
- Step 3: Write the middle steps with Then and Next, one action per sentence — Then cut the apples and bananas. Next, mix the fruit in a big bowl.
- Step 4: Write the last step with Finally — Finally, add the yogurt and mix again.
- Step 5: Add a closing line with a cheerful tone — Enjoy your fruit salad!
- Answer: Sample answer: You need: apples, bananas, grapes and yogurt.
First, wash the fruit. Then cut the apples and bananas. Next, mix the fruit in a big bowl. Finally, add the yogurt and mix again. Enjoy your fruit salad!
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Tense?
Q2Order words?
Q3First step?
Q4Need?
Q5Imperative?
Q6End?
8Recap Recap
- Instruction shape: materials (You need...) → steps → closing (Enjoy!).
- Order words: First → Then → Next → Finally.
- Start every step with an imperative verb: Cut, Add, Mix, Wait.
- Never change the order; always write the amounts.
- Test it: have someone follow your steps once.