Tipos de texto (Text types)
Note from the author: Most of the content in this section has been written in English to help students grasp concepts quickly. Subsections intended for teachers are presented in Spanish.
5. Conjunto de instrucciones
A set of instructions (un conjunto de instrucciones) is a structured text designed to provide clear, step-by-step directions for completing a task, following a process, or adhering to specific rules.
It may refer to manuals, user guides, recipes, and procedural documents, ensuring that the reader can achieve a desired outcome with accuracy and efficiency.
Model text and key features
| Context | Audience | Purpose |
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Key words
The following key words in the exam may suggest that the appropriate text type is a set of instructions (conjunto de instrucciones).
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Español
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Inglés
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|---|---|
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Explicar
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To explain
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Instruir
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To instruct
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| Guiar |
To guide
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| Aconsejar |
To advise
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Recomendar
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To recommend |
| Paso a paso | Step by step |
| El proceso | The process |
| El manual | The manual |
| La guía | The guide |
| La receta | The recipe |
| Los ingredientes | The ingredients |
| Los utensilios | The utensils |
Key points at a glance
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Format
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Message
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Language
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|---|---|---|
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Sequential connectors: primero, después, por úlitmo... |
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Key features, tips and examples
- Must be relevant and short, to the point.
- Key words: how to (cómo), instructions to (intrucciones para)
- You can make it appealing (perfecto, ideal, el/la mejor...)
Examples:
- Instrucciones para montar la estantería
- Cómo añadir un contacto en WhatsApp
- La mejor receta de tortilla española
- A good image catches the reader's attention more than words.
- Technical instructions often use pictures to illustrate the steps.
- Don't waste valuable exam time by drawing a picture; just draw a box and write the word 'FOTO,' 'IMAGEN' or 'ILUSTRACIÓN' in it.
- If you have extra time, you may describe the content of the picture.
Examples:
- Ilustración del montaje de la estantería
- Imagen del menú de WhatsApp
- Foto de una tortilla de patatas
- Precise and concise: to the point
- Sets the objective of the instructions: why they are important
Examples:
- Sigue las instrucciones paso a paso para montar tu estantería.
- WhatsApp te permite añadir, compartir, editar y eliminar contactos. Empecemos por crear un nuevo contacto, siguiendo estos sencillos pasos.
- La tortilla de patatas es uno de los platos más icónicos de España y cada cocinero le da su toque especial. En esta receta, compartiré contigo el secreto de mi abuela.
- Some guidelines, such as recipes or Ikea instructions, usually include a list of ingredients, utensils, or tools needed to complete the task.
- Use a header and bullet points to list the materials.
Examples:
- Herramientas necesarias:
- Utensilios:
- Ingredientes:
- Para una tortilla para 6 personas, se necesitan:
- A good set of instructions will have a step-by-step process for the reader to follow: use subheadings, numbered points and/or bullet points)
- You may also use sequential adverbs such as "primero", "después", "por último"...
- Instructions can be written in an impersonal tone with verbs written in infinitive or using the impersonal 'se'.
- Instructions can also be written in a personal style with verbs conjugated in the present tense: the most common voice is "nosotros".
- If you want to write the instructions in a personal and direct way, the ideal form is the imperative (recommended). Depending on the audience and context, you may use the voice "tú", "usted", "vosotros" or "ustedes". Choose one voice and be consistent throughout the text.
Examples:
- Infinitive: Pelar las patatas
- Impersonal: Se pelan las patatas
- Present: Pelamos las patatas
- Imperative (informal / formal):
- Pela las patatas / Pele las patatas
- Pelad las patatas / Pelen las patatas
- End on a positive note.
- You may add a final recommendation.
Examples:
- ¡Listo! Ya puedes servir tu tortilla de patatas o reservarla para más tarde. Está riquísima tanto recién hecha como fría.
- Sirve tu tortilla como entrante o como plato principal, con una buena ensalada. ¡Que aproveche!
Test your skills
Escribe entre 70 y 150 palabras.
Muchas personas mayores tienen teléfonos inteligentes pero no saben servirse de sus aplicaciones. Escribe un texto para ayudarles a utilizar WhatsApp. Debes explicar para qué sirve esta aplicación y cómo instalarla.
| Anuncio | Conjunto de instrucciones | Folleto |
Reflect
- What would be the second and third best text types for this task?
- What would you have done differently if you were writing a brochure instead of a set of instructions?
- What would you have done differently if you were writing an ad instead of a set of instructions?
Click on the link to read a student sample for this prompt. Analyze it before reading the marking notes.
Download: Printable cheat sheet
Activities: The Origami Challenge
In this activity you will work collaboratively to:
- Create an origami figure based on visual instructions
- Write the verbal instructions in Spanish to create that figure
- Create the other group's origami figure by following their verbal instructions
- Reflect on the challenge, discuss and draw conclusions
The activity starts by downloading the correct set of instructions for your group. Your teacher will tell you whether you are in group A or B.
- Instructions for Group A: The dog (el perro)
- Instructions for Group B: The fox (el zorro)
De Profe a Profe
Muchas personas mayores realmente necesitan ayuda para aprender a manejar sus dispositivos electrónicos. ¿Por qué no proponer a tus alumnos que escriban un manual de instrucciones para personas mayores, para enseñarles a usar las funcionalidades de su móvil u ordenador ? Puede ser un trabajo colaborativo muy interesante y útil, ideal como proyecto para CAS.Para familiarizarse con el vocabulario de los sistemas operativos y poder hacer capturas de pantalla para ilustrar las instrucciones, pide a tus alumnos que cambien el idioma de sus móviles y ordenadores al castellano. Si no saben cómo, pueden usar las instrucciones del ejemplo ;-)