An instruction manual provides instructions for doing something.
Instructive is an adjective that is used to describe what allows one to instruct : transmit knowledge, explain, teach. The term is also often used as a noun to refer to the text that has this purpose.
For example: “The government provided instructions to journalists who plan to cover the legislative session so that they are aware of the planned schedule,” “Concern over an instructional video shared on social media that teaches how to prepare a homemade explosive,” “No “I know how to use the machine because it came without instructions.”
The instructional text
Instructional texts aim to guide the actions that the reader must take. The usual thing is that they are intended for the resolution of some problem, generally linked to the functioning of something or the development of a process.
Whoever reads an instructional text, in this way, finds information on how to proceed step by step to achieve an objective. It can be said, therefore, that an instruction manual is an instruction manual .
Some examples
Furniture to assemble , for example, usually includes instructions. It is a variable-length brochure that details how the pieces should be attached and in what order to ensure that the piece of furniture in question is assembled and ready to use.
A digital radio , on the other hand, can be marketed with instructions that explain how to record the stations. The instructions indicate: 1. Turn on the radio / 2. Press the “Auto search” button. / 3. Once the device has found a signal, you can record it in memory by pressing the “Record” button. / 4. If you do not want to store the signal found, press the “Next” button to continue the search .
Assembly furniture is usually sold with instructions.
Online instructions
Nowadays, instruction manuals are less and less common in physical format, since the individual usually receives a link to an Internet site from which they can download it, along with a series of useful applications and files for their use. correct operation. This is the case of computer components such as graphics cards, hard drives and USB ports, for example, but also of video games that are sold on disc or cartridge.
One of the reasons why more and more companies do not include instructions in physical format is the need to respect the environment by minimizing the forest exploitation necessary for paper production. This initiative generates a positive impact on the consumer, especially when they buy a product from their favorite company, because it encourages them to participate in the environmental movement.
Just as it happens in other cases, there are people who have such a high level of intuition that they do not need to read the instructions to know how to operate a device or a program, or how to assemble a piece of furniture, even if it is the first time. face such a challenge. Needless to say, this ability is not common, but appears in a minority who sometimes make this a profession and other times take advantage of it to help their friends and family with each purchase and technical problem.
Synonyms and antonyms of the concept
Regarding the use of the word instructive as an adjective, we can say that among its most common synonyms are the following: educational, pedagogical, exemplary, formative, moralizing and illustrative .
One of its most common antonyms is destructive , although confusing and counterproductive can also be used. In this sense, an instructional video provides us with relevant information on one or more well-defined topics, so that after watching it we are able to do something that we could not do before or that we have new knowledge in a certain area. The opposite is one that confuses us or offers us incorrect data.