Tips on Writing an Instructional Outline

Writing an instructional outline is a useful thing, especially if you’re going to write a process analysis essay or instructions. Learn more about instructional outlines with this example from Writers House service.

Basic Information

When writing an instructional outline, you’ll likely need to provide the following information:

1. Skill to be taught: Define your topic clearly.

2. Equipment and materials: List your tools and materials. Provide the necessary measurements.

3. Warnings: Explain how to perform the task to ensure success and safety.

4. Steps: List all the steps of the process chronologically. While writing the outline, just provide a brief description of each step to elaborate on it further.

5. Tests: Explain how your readers can understand that they’ve completed the task successfully.

A Sample Outline: Using a New Baseball Glove

• Topic: Putting on a brand new baseball glove.
• Equipment/Materials: A baseball glove, neatsfoot oil, shaving cream, or mink oil (4 ounces), clean rags, a softball or baseball, heavy string (3 feet).
• Warnings: Work outside because the process can be messy. Besides, you won’t be able to use the glove for a week.

Steps:

1. Apply a layer of oil to the external surface of the glove using a clean rag. Don’t use too much oil.

2. Let the glove dry.

3. Pound the softball or baseball, depending on your game, into the palm of the glove.

4. Keep the ball inside the glove and wrap the string around it. Tie the string tightly.

5. Leave the glove for 3-4 days.

6. Wipe the glove with a clean rag. The glove is ready to use.

Follow these instructions, and your glove will be flexible yet not floppy.