A set of instructions: A set of instructions (le mode d'emploi / un jeu d'instructions) tells the reader how to do something step by step.
What you need to know
- Examples: a recipe, a how-to, a set of rules.
- In Paper 1 you choose it when the task asks you to explain how to make or do something.
- It's part of Unit 2: Text Types, so the marks come from getting its conventions and register right (Criterion C), not just the message.
Real tasks where it was an option
- Guidelines after a report on repeating a year (Nov 2020)
- Instructions for the school music festival (Nov 2023)
- Instructions for the tech club's new app (Nov 2025)
Conventions the examiner checks
- Un titre qui dit le but
- Numbered steps in order, short sentences
- Impératif : Téléchargez, Ouvrez, Choisissez
Traps that cost Criterion C
- A story instead of steps
- Steps in the wrong order
- Mixing tu and vous in the imperatives
- le mode d'emploi / un jeu d'instructions
- a set of instructions / how-to
- le titre
- the title (says what the reader will make/do)
- l'étape (f.)
- the step
- l'impératif (m.)
- the imperative (command form: épluche, ajoute)
- l'ordre / la séquence
- the order / sequence of steps
- l'avertissement (m.) / le conseil
- the warning / a tip to be careful
Spot it in the task: The task asks you to explain a process. Explique comment préparer…, Écris les instructions pour… → a set of instructions. If it said Écris à ton ami pour lui raconter… you'd switch to an informal email (a different text type). Read the command term first.
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Clear and direct: Instructions must be clear and direct. The reader has to follow you exactly.
How to give each step
- Use the imperative (or the infinitive) for each step.
- Use a second-person tu (or vous) or an impersonal voice.
- Use precise, ordered language.
- Keep sentences short and unambiguous.
Consistency matters: Mixing épluche (impératif) with éplucher (infinitif) breaks the register and costs you Criterion C.
Instructions — do this
- D'abord, épluche la banane.
- Ajoute le lait et mixe une minute.
- Fais attention à la lame.
Avoid here
- Je pense qu'il serait sympa d'éplucher la banane.
- Tu pourrais peut-être ajouter un peu de lait.
- Je vous prie de faire attention.
Stay consistent: Pick one command form — imperative tu (épluche, ajoute, sers) OR infinitive (éplucher, ajouter, servir) — and keep it from the first step to the last. Don't switch halfway through.
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The five parts: Every set of instructions follows the same shape. Hit all five parts and you've covered the conventions the examiner is looking for.
Instructions — 5 parts
1
Title
A clear title that says what the reader will make or do. Comment préparer un smoothie en cinq minutes
2
What you need
A short intro and the things or ingredients required. Il te faut une banane, du lait et un mixeur.
3
Numbered steps
The steps in order, in the imperative — the longest part. D'abord, épluche la banane. Ensuite, ajoute le lait.
4
Tip / warning
A tip or a warning so it goes well. Fais attention à la lame.
5
Encouraging close
A short, encouraging ending. Et voilà ! Lance-toi.
Title → What you need → Numbered steps → Tip/warning → Encouraging close
Don't skip the frame: Students lose easy Criterion C marks by jumping straight into steps with no title or list of what you need. They take seconds and show you know the text type — never leave them out.
A model, part by part: Here's a complete set of instructions built from the five parts above. Read it once for the message, then tap Voir la traduction to check the English or the audio button to hear it.
Modèle : les 5 parties en action
Le mode d'emploi rédigé, partie par partie
- Comment préparer un smoothie à la banane en cinq minutes
- Cette recette est très simple et rapide. Avant de commencer, il te faut une banane mûre, un verre de lait, une cuillère de miel et un mixeur.
- D'abord, épluche la banane et coupe-la en morceaux. Ensuite, mets les morceaux dans le mixeur et ajoute le lait. Après, verse le miel et mixe le tout pendant une minute. Enfin, sers le smoothie dans un verre froid.
- Fais attention à la lame du mixeur et assure-toi de bien fermer le couvercle avant de l'allumer.
- Et voilà ! Tu verras, c'est super facile. Lance-toi et dis-moi ce que tu en penses.
Pourquoi ça marque — why it scores: These short instructions earn marks on all three Paper 1 criteria — here's how:
A — Language /12
- Clear imperatives: épluche, coupe-la, mets, ajoute, verse, mixe, sers
- Sequence connectors: D'abord, Ensuite, Après, Enfin
- Precise vocabulary (banane, mixeur, cuillère, couvercle)
B — Message /12
- Clear purpose: a process the reader can actually follow
- Ideas developed (ingredients, ordered steps, a warning)
C — Conceptual /6
- Instructions conventions: title + what you need + steps
- Consistent command register (imperative throughout)
- Ordered, precise, direct tone
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A toolkit you can reuse: Learn a few ready-made phrases for each part. They make your instructions sound natural and save time in the exam. Tap the audio button to hear them.
Pour commencer (title & what you need)
- Comment + [infinitif]… — How to + [do something]…
- Avant de commencer, il te faut… — Before you start, you need…
- Cette recette est très simple et rapide. — This recipe is very easy and quick.
Pour les étapes (ordering the steps)
- D'abord,… / Ensuite,… — First,… / Next,…
- Après,… / Enfin,… — Then,… / Finally,…
- Assure-toi de… — Make sure you…
Pour terminer (warning & close)
- Fais attention à… — Be careful with…
- Et voilà ! Tu verras, c'est super facile. — That's it! You'll see it's super easy.
- Lance-toi ! — Give it a go!
Use one from each: A clear title, two or three sequence connectors in the steps, and a short encouraging close is plenty — and instantly makes it feel like the real text type.