Academic writing
Rhetorical functions in academic writing: Writing instructions
Examples
Instructions can be given in many ways. A numbered list with the imperative form of the verb is one common way. Continuous text using the passive form of the verb with should is another common way. Make sure you distinguish between giving instructions – that is, telling someone how to do something – and describing a process – that is describing how something happens. Look at the following examples of different ways of giving instructions. Notice the highlighted language items:
Calculating the standard deviation
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Mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration In certain accidents, if breathing stops, it is possible to save life by artificial respiration. This means that someone else causes air to enter and leave a person’s lungs. The method of artificial respiration now recommended by the U.S. Army, the Red Cross, and the Boy Scouts of America is a method of mouth-to-mouth breathing. First, place the victim face up. Tilt the victim’s head back so that the chin is pointing upward. Next, if there is any foreign matter in the victim’s mouth, wipe it out quickly with your fingers. Then, with your right-hand thumb, pull the jaw down to clear the tongue from the air passage in the back of the victim’s mouth. With your left hand, pinch the nostrils to prevent the air you blow into the victim’s mouth from escaping through the nose. Now, place your mouth tightly over the victim’s and blow into his or her mouth until you see the chest rise. Remove your mouth, turn your head to the side, and listen to the outrush of air that indicates air exchange. Repeat blowing. For an adult, blow vigorously at a rate of about twelve breaths a minute. For a young child, take relatively shallow breaths, at a rate of about twenty a minute. |
Creating a new Web page You don’t need any special tools to create a Web page. You can use any word processor, even WordPad or SimpleText, which are included with the basic Windows and Macintosh system software. To create a new Web page: 1. Open a text editor or word processor. |
Printing black and white photographs
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HOW TO MAKE A KITE TWO-STICK SQUARE KITE Frame. No matter what size, you’ll need two strips of wood the same length. A lightweight wood like pine, spruce, or split bamboo is best. For kites more than 1 metre in length, use wood 1 cm. wide. For smaller kites, use 75 mm wood. First, notch both ends of each piece to a depth of about a quarter of an inch. Next find the center of each piece, position the two at right angles, and glue. When the glue is dry, lash the pieces together with fishing line or heavy thread and spread a thin coat of glue over the lashing. (Don’t fasten with nails, tacks, or staples, since they add weight and weaken the wood.) Then string lightweight cord or fishing line through the notches so that the resulting frame is taut. Cover. Use newsprint for smaller kites and brown wrapping paper or any paper about the same weight for larger ones. If the paper is wrinkled, it should be ironed. Next, outline the frame on the paper, leaving an extra inch all the way around. If the cover is to be decorated, this is the time to do it. Use crayon, water colors, or glue-on cutouts. Then glue the cover to the frame, bending the extra inch around the string and leaving room for the crosspieces to protrude. The cover should be tight and flat. After it is in place, apply a light coating of shellac or dope. Controls. The kite’s controls are the bridle, which is used for steering, and the tail, which helps keep the kite upright. For the bridle, use two lengths of string, each about a quarter again as long as one of the supports. One piece is fastened a few inches from each end of the horizontal support, and the other is attached in the same way to the vertical support. The flying line, for which you’ll need at least 100 metres of wrapping twine, is fastened where the strings meet. For the tail, start with 5 metres of string; more, if the kite is a large one. Attach strips of rag at 25-or 50-cm intervals; then fasten the tail at a point 10or 15 cm above the base of the kite. Determining the proper length for the tail is a matter of trial and error. If the kite dives, haul it in and add more. When the tail is right, the kite will remain on an even keel. |
(Adapted from: How to fly a kite, catch a fish, grow a flower and other activities for you and your child.by Alvin Schwartz, 1964.
Exercises
Try this exercise: Exercise 1
Language
Sequence
Sequence, or order, is important in giving instructions. The table blow shows some common expressions used.
Firstly, |
The first step is |
First of all, |
The first stage is |
To begin with, |
. begins with |
Initially |
. commences with |
Beforehand, |
Before this, |
Previously, |
Prior to this, |
Earlier, |
|
At the same time, |
During |
Simultaneously, |
When this happens |
While |
|
Secondly, Thirdly etc |
After this, |
Next, |
The next step is |
Then, |
In the next stage, |
Subsequently, |
In the following stage, |
Later, |
Following this, |
As soon as the committee has finished its work, . |
|
Eventually, |
… until … |
Lastly |
… finishes with … |
Finally, |
concludes with… |
In the last stage, |
The last step is … |
Manner – how something is done
in such a way that…
slowly, carefully, etc
with care/precision
in a careful way/manner
Purpose – why something is done
so as to …
so as not to …
so that …
in order to …
in order not to …