Text Types

Lesson 1: Identifying the conventions

of Instructional Texts and
commenting on them
 Definitions:
• Imperative verb – a verb which commands or
instructs. Examples include clean, open, shut,
do, move, write.
• Modal verb – an auxiliary verb which shows
necessity or possibility. Examples include
must, shall, will, should, can, may.

Now you will be read a list of words.

Raise your left hand every time you hear
an imperative verb and your right hand
every time you hear a modal verb.
 Extension: Can you sum up the
Instructional Texts text, and its purpose, in three
sentences?
connectives
Punctuation limited to full stops / commas. conditional
phrases (if,
• Read through the step-by-step guide to putting when…)
someone into the recovery position.
• Look at example below with key features identified. short sentences
• With a partner, annotate the rest of the text with
the Instructional Text conventions.

Sentence starts with an imperative verb,

using the present tense.

Image or diagram to
Numbers, letters or bullet points give an example.
show the order of actions.
 Connectives(to add, to contrast, to give a
reason/purpose/express cause and effect)
So: effect
But: to contrast
And: to add
To/in order to: purpose/reason
However: to contrast
Because: cause
Therefore: effect
Hence: effect
Also: add
In addition: add
Additionally: to add
Until/till/by the time/meanwhile/as/while/when
I was too tired so I didn't go out to have dinner
with our friends last night.
Cause and effect/ the reason and the
outcome/result (inevitable)

I came home early so that I could sleep a little

before our lesson.
Cause and effect: action and intention (may or
may not happen)
 Identifying and interpreting information

1. From lines 1-5, identify two things that the reader must do.

With your partner, you have one minute to read lines 1-5 and
highlight the two things that the reader must do.

Did you get…?

1.kneel on the floor
2.place the person’s arm at a right angle to their body

TIP: Look for the imperative

verbs – the doing words!
 Explain, comment and analyse how
writers use language and structure to
achieve effects and influence readers

2. Give one example from lines 13-16 of how the writer uses
language to show one thing that the person’s body weight
should enable them to do.

With your partner, you have one minute to read lines 13-16 and
highlight one thing that the person’s body weight should enable
them to do.
Did you get…?
roll over quite easily
 Explain, comment and analyse how
writers use language and structure to
achieve effects and influence readers
2. Give one example from lines 13-16 of how the writer uses
language to show one thing that the person’s body weight
should enable them to do.

How does the writer use

Did you get…? language? What language features
2. roll over quite easily can you spot?

---- -----
Model answer:
2. “quite easily”
The writer uses an ----- to show that the
person’s body weight should help them to be
moved without much difficulty.
Now your turn… TIP: Look for the imperative
write your answers verbs – the doing words!
in your book
1. From lines 6-10, identify two things that the reader must do.

2. Give one example from lines 21-26 of how the writer uses
language to show what happens as a result of the chin being
raised.

TIP: Use this structure

“…………………………………………….”
The writer uses (technique)…………………….. to
show that the result is
…………………………………………………………
Check your answers
1. Any two answers from: pick up their other hand
with your palm / place the back of their hand onto
their opposite cheek / keep your hand there

2. “this will open up their airway”

The writer uses a verb to show what will happen
because of the chin being raised.

How many people got 4/4?

 Conventions of Instructional
Punctuation limited to full Texts
conditional phrases (if,
stops / commas.
when…)
short sentences
• Using the conventions you learned
about at the beginning of the lesson as
connectives a guide, you have 10 minutes to write
one of your own.
• What could you instruct someone else
to do? Put on a school uniform? Take a
selfie? Make a sandwich?

Sentence starts with an imperative verb,

Image or diagram to
using the present tense.
give an example.
Numbers, letters or bullet points show the order of actions.