PARK COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
HS 8251 TECHNICAL ENGLISH
(Learning material)
INSTRUCTIONS
An
instruction is a direction for carrying out a procedure or for performing a
task.
It
can be oral or written. It is a piece of information passed on to the reader
regarding what he/she should do/ and shouldn’t do. It is a step by step guide
explaining how to make or do something. It is a modified form of
recommendation.
Correct
instructions can turn a pile of wood into a beautiful desk.
Activity:
1
1. Open a fresh page in your class work note book.
2. Draw a line across the page from left to right. (Draw the
line across the middle of the page
3. Draw a small house in the centre of the space above the
line.
4. Draw a coconut tree to the right of the house.
5. Draw a man standing under the tree.
6. Draw a small cowshed to the left of the house.
7. Draw a fence, in the centre of the space below the line.
8. Draw a gate leading to the house in the middle of the fence.
9. Show the drawing to your faculty.
Guide
lines for writing instructions:
1. Create a title
Prefix the instruction
with a clear heading.
Ex: Instruction on ‘How
to………..’
2. Use action verbs in the beginning (Use the direct imperative form
Ex: Close the lid
tightly
Keep the lab clean.
Avoid……
Don’t…….
Maintain…….
Handle………
Keep away
3. Use short clear sentences with
words that are common
4. Avoid words with more than one
meaning.
5. Make sure to include any caution, warning or dangers.
Ex:
Warning: Handle with care
Caution: Don’t touch the wire.
6. Use a numbered list when the
order is important.
7. Otherwise use a bulleted list.(
when the order is not important.)
8. Leave enough space between any
two instructions.
Activity:
How to make a cup of coffee
1. Give a suitable title:
Instructions on ‘How to
make a cup of coffee.’
2. Mention the ingredients required:
Ingredients required:
1. Instant
coffee powder
2. Half a
cup of milk
3. A cup of
water to boil
4. Required
amount of (one tea spoon) sugar
3. Give Instructions:
1. Enter the kitchen
2. Take a cup of water in a small vessel.
3. Switch on the stove.
4. Place the vessel on the stove and allow the water to boil.
5. Add some sugar, when the water starts boiling.
6. Add a tea spoon of instant coffee powder and some milk.
7. Allow the mixture to boil for a few minutes.
8. Switch of the stove.
9. Remove the vessel from the stove.
10. Pour the coffee into a cup.
11. Serve it hot.
Examples:
1.
Write eight instructions on’ How to keep your ATM transaction safe and secure’
Answer:
Instructions on ‘How to keep your
ATM transactions safe and secure’
1. Keep your ATM card in a secure place.
2. Cover keypad when entering pin.
3. Change your pin first time and regularly there after
4. Do not ask for help from strangers.
5. Do not hand over ATM card to any unknown person.
6. Do not keep any record of your pin- memorise it instead.
7. Do not leave ATM cabin till your transaction is complete.
2. Write 8 instructions on how to use your
card safely.
Answer:
USE YOUR CARD SAFELY
1.
Please guard against hoax calls. Do not provide information
2. Change your pin regularly.
3. Memorise your pin. Never keep it
with the card or write it anywhere.
4. Do not share your ATM card, PIN
and internet banking details with anyone .
5. Do not allow anyone near you or
take their help to complete transactions.
6. In case of any
foreign device or suspected add-on on the machine, do not swipe your card.
7. Visit your branch to
register your mobile number and get SMS alerts for transactions.
8. Block your card
immediately on loss.
3.
Write a few instructions on’ How to
prepare yourself to excel in interviews
Answer:
INTERVIEWS
ARE LIKE EXAMS, PREPARE YOURSELF TO EXCEL
1. Keep all the
documents (resume, passport size photos, mark sheets, certificates, etc.)
ready in a formal
folder
2. Remember to dress
for success.
3. Prepare responses to
common interview questions including your introduction, strengths and
weaknesses.
4. Arrive at the venue
30 minutes before the reporting time- allow you to get settled and ask previous
interviewees for feedback on their interviews.
5. Keep your body
language in check-
a) Dos: smiling, making
eye contact, having solid posture, active listening, nodding
b) Don’ts: slouching,
looking in the distance, playing with pen, fidgeting in chair, mumbling
6. Before entering the interview room,
put your phone on silent mode or switch it off.
7. Research the
responsibilities for the job, and practice answers to why you have applied and
what value you can add in the role.
8. Research the company
you have applied for and at the end of the interview ask relevant questions to
the interviewers. This shows your interest.
4.
Write eight instructions to keep your
body fit at 40
Answer:
Instructions on ‘How to keep your
body fit at 40’.
1.
Make
sure you eat too less before you sleep; let your supper be light meal that
includes fruits, follow it up with a walk if possible; or small activity that
relaxes you such as reading a book or listening to soothing music.
If hunger pangs strike
you again, sip buttermilk or milk.
2. Drink 8-12 glasses
of water a day; water by itself is a great detoxifying agent.
3. Maximise physical
activity and incorporate yoga into your everyday routine.
4. Get started on an
annual medical check up to catch emerging diseases early. Find a great
physician who understands your body and knows your medical history.
5. Go for a weekly oil massage for the whole
body. Gingelly oil is the best.
Self application works
too, the massage must be done top-down generally and in a circular motion for
the face. This improves blood circulation, nerve strength and helps fight
stress.
6. Eat protein rich
food. Sundal made with different grams and pulses are ideal.
7. Avoid curd at least
dinner time, as it increases cholesterol. Switch to buttermilk.
8. Eat on time. Stick
to home cooked food.
5.
Write a few instructions for washing clothes
manually
Answer:
Instructions
on washing clothes manually
1.
Take a bucket of water.
2. Add some detergent powder to the
water and mix it well.
3. Put the dirty clothes in it and
soak for an hour.
4. Scrub the clothes.
5. Take out the clothes and rinse
them in clean water.
6. Wring out water and spread the
clothes to dry.
6. Rearrange the following instructions in
the right order.
A. Using the chamois leather, polish
the car until it sparkles.
B. Wash the car thoroughly.
C. First clean the inside of the car
with a vacuum cleaner.
D. Fill with soapy water.
E. Then fetch a bucket from the
garage.
F. Rinse the car with clean water.
Answer:
1. C 2.E 3. D 4.
B 5. F 6.A
Activity:
Follow the instructions: (no
talking)
1. Take a sheet of paper.
2. Fold the paper in half. (Top to
bottom)
3. On the right hand side of the
paper, write the words,’ Instructions test.’
4. Fold the paper in half again.(
side to side)
5. Draw a smile face on the front of
the card.
6. Write your name on the card.
7. Fold the paper in half from top
to bottom again.
8. Ignore step five.
9. Pass the paper to the instructor.
How
people read instructions:
People
read instructions in one of the following three ways:
1.
Some, but only a few, read instructions all the way through before beginning to
follow any of the steps.
2.
Others read and perform each step without looking ahead to the text.
3.
And still others begin a task without reading instructions and turn to them
only when difficulties arise.
Of
these three categories of people, which category do you belong?
INSTRUCTION-RECOMMENDATION:
A COMPARISION
1. An instruction
is a direction for carrying out a procedure or for performing a task.
2. A recommendation
is a suggestion given on a particular issue. You don’t have to follow it. But
it is recommended.
3.A recommendation is more like a
suggestion and an instruction is like an order.
4.
An instruction is a modified
form of recommendation. Instructions are to be followed.
Examples:
Instruction
|
Recommendation
|
Add concentrated sulphuric acid
|
Concentrated
sulphuric acid should be added
|
Keep
all the cutting tools in good condition
|
All
the cutting tools should be kept in good condition
|
Don’t
smoke here
|
You
should not smoke here
|
Don’t
run
|
You
must not run
|
Take
300 g of flour
|
You
will need 300g of flour
|
Maintain
absolute silence in the class
|
You
should maintain absolute silence
|
|
|
Instructions
|
Recommendation
|
Write 8 instructions on’ How to keep
your ATM transactions safe and secure
|
Write 8 recommendations to keep your
ATM transactions safe and secure
|
Answer:
|
Answer:
|
1.
Keep your ATM card in a secured place.
|
1.
You should keep your ATM card in a secured place
|
2.
Cover key pad when entering pin
|
2.
It is advisable to cover your key pad when entering pin.
|
3.
Change your pin regularly
|
3.
You must change your pin regularly
|
4.
Do not ask for help from strangers
|
4.
You should not ask for help from strangers
|
5………….
|
5……….
|
6………….
|
6……….
|
7…………..
|
7………..
|
8…………
|
8…………
|
Instructions-Quiz
1.
What is the purpose of instructions?
a) to sell things
b) to tell people how to do something
c) to persuade people to do
something
2.
Which of these is not a set of instructions?
a) a recipe
b) a horror story
c) direction from one place to
another
3.
Which of these is a set of instructions?
a) a leaflet telling people about a
new restaurant and the food it sells
b) a leaflet included with a model showing you how to build it
c) a leaflet asking people to join a
campaign against litter
4.
It is important to do what when writing instructions?
a) list the right steps in the right order
b) list the right steps in any order
c) show the end result and let the
reader work out the steps.
5.
What are ingredients?
a) small screws used for putting
things together
b) a price list showing you how much
something will cost to make
c) a list of things you will need when following a recipe
Assignment:
1.
Write a set of eight instructions that are to be followed by a student in a
college library.
2.
Write a set of instructions to improve your language skills
3.
Write a set of eight instructions to be followed by people to manage the heat
during the summer.
Additional
example on instructions:
Write
a few instructions for succeeding on the day of the examination.
Answer:
Instructions for succeeding on the
day of the examination
1.
Wake up early so that you do not need to rush through having breakfast and
getting ready.
2.
Check the venue and time of the exam to make sure that you have not confused
the day/time/venue.
3.
Have a balanced breakfast and eat nothing risky. Bananas are always a good
option.
4.
Before leaving home, check that you have everything that you will need –ID,
stationary, map to the exam venue, etc.
5.
Head to the exam with plenty of time. A lot of unexpected events can happen on
your way there and you do not want to be late.
6.
If there are people around who are panicking, avoid them. They are not doing
any favour.
7.
Go to the toilet before exam starts. Exam can be quite long and there is no
time
8.
Remember to write your register number on the exam paper. You would not believe
how many people have forgotten to do it.
9.
Read all the questions carefully before starting and quickly plan how much time
to allot to each.
10.
Start answering the questions that you feel most confident about. There is no
need to answer the questions in order.
11.
If your brain freezes, just start writing anything and you will soon
remembering more details.
12.
Don’t spend more time than you planned on a particular section/ question or you
might run out of time to answer other questions.
13.
Use every minute of the exam and if you have time left, review your answers
before handing back the answer script.
14.
Stay calm. You have done your home work and have nothing to fear.
