Dear friends,
This is an assignment I gave to my 7th-8th grade English students in our home school co-op several weeks ago. They really seemed to enjoy this one!
Virginia
EXPOSITORY WRITING ASSIGNMENT
"HOW TO" INSTRUCTIONS
This
week your assignment is to write about how to do something. This
writing skill comes in quite handy because giving people instructions is a
regular part of real life. Here are the steps to writing a great
"how to."
1. Choose a topic that is simple enough to
be explained on a single page. It should be one that you already know enough
about, or can research easily, to make it clear and interesting. Here are some sample "how to"
topics:
·
How
to make a hot fudge sundae
·
How
to organize your bedroom
·
How
to pump up bicycle tires
·
How
to play a favorite outside game
·
How
to choose the best book to read
2. Decide on a format for instructions. You
can use bullets or numbers if this would make it easier to follow. A recipe usually lists the ingredients first,
and then the instructions.
3. Consider using pictures to show each step
and the finished product. This often
makes a real difference on how clear and interesting your instructions are.
4. Remember the important parts of your
instructions:
·
Your
topic sentence will introduce what you are going to teach and might give a hint
of why your audience would want to do it.
If necessary, you can use two or three sentences for this.
·
Your
supporting detail sentences should show, in chronological order, the steps in
the process, as well as what materials are needed. There may be more than one sentence per
step. Be sure that your transitions
between steps are clear. Keep your steps
in a consistent format. For example, you
might want to present each step in simple command form, and then elaborate more
on it in another sentence.
·
Your
concluding sentence should provide some final motivation to go try it.
5. Check your draft to make sure you have
included all of the important information.
Don't assume that your readers know what you know. Also check to be sure you haven't put
unnecessary, off-topic information into your paragraph since that would be
distracting.
6. Polish it all up for a terrific final
draft! You can ask a parent or friend
for help in deciding if your instructions are clear and interesting.
I think you'll
have fun writing your "how to" instructions. I sure enjoyed writing these for you!
