ohjeellisia

Ohjeellisia is a term used in Finnish linguistics to describe discourse segments and textual units whose primary function is to provide instructions or procedural guidance. It is often used in analyses of manuals, tutorials, and other texts where the aim is to lead the reader through a sequence of actions.

Etymology: The word combines the Finnish adjective ohjeellinen ("instructional" or "guidance-related") with the -sia suffix, a plural-like ending used in scholarly coinages to denote instances or kinds of a quality. In practice, ohjeellisia refers to multiple examples of instruction-led segments within a larger text.

Characteristics: Ohjeellisia passages typically use the imperative mood, explicit step numbering, and direct address to the reader. They emphasize action over description and often employ procedural verbs. They may appear as isolated steps or be integrated into longer expository material.

Contexts and examples: Common contexts include user manuals, software help guides, cooking recipes, and educational tutorials. Example sentences in Finnish might include: "Avaa ohjelma. Valitse tiedosto. Paina Tallenna." and "Seuraa näitä askeleita: 1) Syötä tiedot 2) Valitse vaihtoehto 3) Paina Vahvista." These illustrate a focus on sequence and action.

Relation to research: Scholars study ohjeellisia to understand how instruction-seeking behavior shapes discourse structure, how imperative forms affect reader compliance, and how procedural text differs from descriptive or narrative prose. It intersects with genre study, instruction design, and directive speech acts.

See also: Instructional design, directive speech act, procedural text, manual.