Structure of an INSTRUCTIONAL TEXT - [Summary + examples]

In the exercise section of a textbook, in the IKEA manual that comes with the shelf you bought, or in the recipe for your favorite noodle soup: the instructive texts they are found everywhere and are part of our daily lives. In this lesson from a PROFESSOR we are going to learn one of its most distinctive elements and what makes them immediately recognizable: the structure of an instructional text, with concrete examples so that it is clear to you!

Index

1. What is an instructional text
2. Main characteristics of an instructional text
3. What is the structure of an instructional text
4. Examples of an instructional text and its structure

There are as many instructional texts as there are problems to be solved and products to be created in the world. From cooking an apple pie to solving the most complex computer problem, the instructive texts they are a reader's best friend with a goal to accomplish. This is why we call “instructive”To the texts that

We normally classify instructional texts by the objective they are intended to achieve. Thus, we call instructional texts to cooking recipes, to the rules of a game, to the user manual of an electronic device, to the instructions the assembly of a piece of furniture, the rules of conduct or prohibitions of a place or institution, the procedural methods for carrying out a job, etc.

Image: Quizziz

The most important element of instructional texts is not the author, nor the literary quality of his style, but his function of guidance or assistance to the reader, who consults them with a purpose very clear in mind. This is why all the main features of the instructional text, from language to structure, they are designed so that the text can perform its function as well as possible and achieve the objective wanted.

Are main characteristics of the instructional text are:

• Clear, concise and well organized structure (which you can find detailed below), with different marked sections.
• Precise, clear, direct language. It should be easy to understand so that the reader can follow the steps without problems, but at the same time detailed and concrete to describe each part of the procedure meticulously.
• Objective style and often anonymous author or absent in the content you write. The style must guarantee functionality. However, there are exceptions, such as some cooking recipes, where the author can put personal touches to attract and convince the reader.
• Use of imperative mode (to give orders), both in second person singular or plural (do, do, do, do), as occasionally in the first person plural (let's do).
• Alternatively, use of the infinitive (do), or other impersonal forms (it is done, it has to be done ...).
• Use of graphic signs or enumerations to organize the text.
• Use of connectors to determine the order of the steps: to start, first, next, second, then, after, once (finished ...), finally, last, etc.
• Often, Use of images, graphics, illustrations and other visual elements that facilitate the understanding of the text and / or of each detailed step.

Image: Youtube

You may already know famous text structures such as the famous approach, middle and end scheme in literary texts, or the scheme favorite of every student consisting of an introduction, the development with the arguments or information, and a conclusion in an argumentative text or expository.

The structure of an instructional text, in fact, it is not very different from that of its expository or literary companions. However, unlike other types of texts, instructional text uses and therefore adapt its structure to help, in the clearest and most efficient way possible, to fulfill the objective for which the text has been written.

The structure of an instructional text always adapts to your goal, incorporating different elements according to its specific purpose and according to the process it describes. This makes this type of text It presents many variations in its organization and in the elements that make it up, but in general, the instructional texts follow the following structure:

• Title / Objective: Announces the objective or purpose of the instructional text in question.
• Brief introduction: describes the objective expressed in the title, thus briefly explaining what one can expect from the text and the final objective to be achieved.
• List of material / ingredients that are needed for the process, in case specific material is needed.
• Instructions or procedure: presentation of the steps that must be followed to fulfill the objective of the text. They are usually formulated in a clear and concise way, and often structured in short paragraphs marked with a typographic element (period, symbol, number ...). For clarity, they usually follow a chronological order, or a logical order (cause-effect).
• Closing optional. An instructional text can end with a description of the last step in the procedure, or provide a short closing to describe or comment on the final product.
• Visual elements: These can be images, illustrations, photographs, graphics or similar elements that are distributed throughout the text or that are included at the end. These serve to facilitate the understanding of the instructional text and help the reader to follow the instructions correctly.

We have compiled some instructional texts below. Look at how its structure varies according to its objective, in the elements that are different, as well as in their points in common.

Rules of conduct in the municipal park:

Please follow these rules of conduct for a good coexistence in the park:

Respect urban furniture (bins, benches, fountains ...).

Use the bins in the park. DO NOT litter the public space.

Do not step on the grass in the indicated places.

Do not pick flowers or other plants in the park.

Collect dog and other pet droppings and dispose of them in the correct bins.

For the good of all, let's maintain good citizenship in the park.

Chocolate sponge cake recipe

Follow our recipe for a fluffy and delicious brownie that is sure to triumph with young and old alike. Quick and easy to prepare as a family. Perfect for snacks and breakfasts!

People: 8

Preparation time: 45 minutes

Utensils:

Large bowl

Whisk sticks (if you don't have one, you can use a mixer, fork, or spoon)

2 medium / small saucepans or pots to melt the chocolate in a bain-marie

Baking mold

Kiln

Ingredients:

120g sugar

175 g of dark chocolate to melt (70% cocoa)

70g butter

100 g cornstarch

3 eggs

Half yeast envelope

Walnuts or hazelnuts to taste

preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180º.

In a bowl, mix the melted butter with the sugar until the mixture is white and smooth, without lumps.

In a medium saucepan, add about a finger of water. Put the chocolate in a smaller saucepan over the water and bring it to a boil to melt the chocolate in a double boiler.

Add the eggs one by one, and the melted chocolate, beating the mixture vigorously until smooth.

Add the cornstarch and yeast, and keep whisking as the mixture thickens.

Add the walnuts or hazelnuts in pieces and mix them into the batter.

Once homogeneous and without lumps, prepare the mold by smearing it with a little butter, or lining it with baking paper.

Pour the mixture into the mold. The mixture is now ready to go into the oven. Place it at a medium height and let it bake for about 30 minutes.

Check that the cake is cooked with a toothpick or a small knife, and that's it! Take the cake out of the oven and let it rest at room temperature before enjoying it.

Tip: customize the cake with your favorite decorations and additional ingredients. We love to accompany it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or you can cut it in the middle and make a sandwich with cream or strawberry, berry or apricot jam. Delicious!

If you want to read more articles similar to Structure of an instructional text - with examples, we recommend that you enter our category of Writing.

• Chavez Rodriguez, G. M. (2020). We explain the purpose of an instructional text.
• Escudier, M. TO. (2016). The instructive text: outstanding elements in its construction. Plurentes. Arts and Letters, 5.