Sometimes, you are required to give instructions in your response. You will be given specific instructions on what to include in your response. For example, after an email asking for directions, you may be asked to cover four steps.

Some of the emails in this section of the test will ask you to explain how to do something. For example, you might be asked how to send a fax or bake a cake. In this unit, you will learn a few linguistic “signposts” to use to make your instructions more precise. Using these signposts will boost your score for organization.

Basically, when you give instructions, you are guiding someone through a series of steps in sequence. These are appropriate words to indicate sequence: 

   -  First, / First of all,

  -  Next, 

   - Then, 

    - Finally, / Now, finally you ....

When the person answers, ...

When you hear the dialing tone, ....

Using these words will help the reader have a clear idea of the order of instructions.

Often, when you give instruction, you also need to help the person avoid common mistakes. Here are some phrases that clearly indicate that’s what you’re doing.

-  Be careful not to leave the oven on.

-  Be sure to turn off the oven when you leave.

-  Don’t forget to turn off the oven when you leave.

-  If the paper jams, then clear the paper and turn the copier off.

Notice that the first phrase specifically tells someone what not to do, whereas the next two remind the person of what they need to do.