English Writing Lesson 2: 
How to Give Instructions in English

Do you know how to give instructions in English? What sort of instructions can you give someone?

  • How to make a cup of coffee?
  • How to search for a topic on Google?
  • How to make a call on your cell phone? Or listen to your voice mail?

There are two parts to giving instructions.

What we call Sequencers and then the actions.

Sequencers help order your instructions

It is like the 1, 2, 3, 4 of your actions.

The most common are

First(ly)...

Then...

Next...

After that...

Finally...

Example: Today I am going to tell you how to make the best sandwich in the world. 

First, you must roast a chicken and slice it into thick pieces. Then toast your favourite bread (two slices).  

After that you need to put mayonnaise and mustard on the toast and then the chicken slices.  Next you are going to add your vegetables.  Tomatoes, lettuce  onions, cucumbers etc.  

Finally put a couple slices of cheese on the sandwich and then close it with the other piece of toast.

The second part,

Instructions...

do one of three things. 

1) Tell people what is necessary
2) what is wrong
3) what is not necessary

  • You (don't) need to...
  • You have to...
  • You must/mustn't...
  • You should/shouldn't...


So now that you know the basics...here is an example:

How to Make a Cup of Coffee

First you need to buy some coffee and a coffee maker.


Then you have to put the water into the bottom of the coffee maker.

You needn't boil the water (you don't need to boil the water), cold water is fine.

Next you have to put the coffee in the coffee compartment and screw the top of coffee maker on.

After that you need to put the coffee pot onto the stove. 

Then turn the stove on hight and wait. You don't have to move the coffee pot.

When the water boils and goes into the upper part of the pot youthen have to remove the pot from the heat.

Finally you pour some coffee into a cup, add sugar and milk and enjoy.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see what I (Diana)and other visitors had to say about this assignment ...

How to use a public telephone 
To use a public telephone you must first b u y a phone card and then you go to where there is a cabine phone booth . If there is someone there …

How to use a digital camera 
First, you need to turn on the power. Then, you can see look at the displ a y and focus on the view or object you like. To Focus, just press the …

How to Use a Photocopier 
First, you need to turn on the photocopier power . And Then you put the face of the paper that you want to copy, on the screen of the copier. Next, …

My First English Letter 
How to give someone a ring ( /to make a call ) in F rance, since from a box pay phone! F irst you have to buy a phone card (there aren't …

How to cook a chicken 
First, you need to buy a chicken. Then, when your chicken is clean, you cut it in to 6 or 8 pieces. ( How does your chicken get clean? Tell us... Then …

Now do Lesson 3: How to explain situations in English

Visit the Home Page > Lesson 2: How to give instructions

MOTIVATE yourself to Learn English!!

New! Comments

What do you think about this page? Leave me a comment in the box below.

Still looking?  Search the site for exactly what you need using the site search box below.

Happy exploring!

Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Discover these Amazing ESL Materials!

It's English Time! English Express! 5 Simple Steps to Better Writing! English Harmony 2.0! Pronunciation Power!
Effortless English! Best Accent Training! Ola Zur! English Grammar Revolution! English Success

Sign-up For The Learn English Newsletter

Your E-mail Address
Your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Learn English Newsletter.