Request for Instructions – a written request to the judge for jury instructions, made by either party, usually after both sides have rested. [1]

jury instructions:
(1943)

1. A direction or guideline that a judge gives a jury concerning the law of the case. — Often shortened to instruction. — aka jury charge; charge; jury direction; direction. [2]

1. Directions given to the jury by the judge just before she sends the jurors out to deliberate and return a verdict, explaining the law that applies in the case and spelling out what must be proven and by whom.
— aka charge. [1]

instructions to jury:

1. To final charges given by the court to the jury upon the submission of the case to the jury, explaining the law of the case and pointing out the essentials to be proved on the one side or the other, the purpose being to furnish guidance to the jury in their deliberations, and to aid them in arriving at a proper verdict, so far as it is competent for the court to assist them.  53 Am J1st Trial § 509.

As usually understood, the term does not include anything which the court might say during the progress of the trial as to the purpose for which certain evidence is admitted as to what facts have been admitted by one side or the other; oral direction to the jury to reject evidence, made when it is given; directions during the trial to disregard improper or incompetent evidence given in the examination of the witness, or to disregard prejudicial remarks of counsel; oral directions as to the form of the verdict, or other comment and statements of the trial judge as to collateral matters made during trial.  53 Am J1st Trial § 508.

Types of Jury Instructions:

abstract instructions:

1. An instruction to the jury, which is generally regarded as insufficient and erroneous, that does not apply the law to the facts, but merely an abstract proposition of law.  53 Am J1st Tr § 573. [3]

additional instruction:
(1821)

1. A jury charge, beyond the original instructions, that is usu. given in response to the jury’s question about the evidence or some point of law. — aka additional direction; further instruction; further direction.

affirmative converse instruction:
(1966)

1. An instruction presenting a hypothetical that, if true, commands a verdict in favor of the defendant.  *  An affirmative converse instruction usu. begins with language such as “your verdict must be for the defendant if you believe . . . .” — aka affirmative converse direction.

affirmative instruction:
(1835)

1. An instruction that removes an issue from the jury’s consideration, such as an instruction that whatever the evidence, the defendant cannot be convicted under the indictment count to which the charge is directed. — aka affirmative charge; affirmative direction.

argumentative instruction:
(1888)

1. An instruction that assumes facts not in evidence, that singles out or unduly emphasizes a particular issue, theory, or defense, or that otherwise invades the jury’s province regarding the weight, probative value, or sufficiency of the evidence. — aka argumentative direction.

cautionary instruction:
(1881)

1. A judge’s instruction to the jurors to disregard certain evidence or consider it for specific purposes only.

2. A judge’s instruction for the jury not to be influenced by outside factors and not to talk to anyone about the case while the trial is in progress. — aka cautionary direction; prophylactic jury instruction. [2]

conditional instruction:

1. An erroneous form of instruction to a jury b which the court directly or in effect instructs the jury that a charge is to be considered by them if evidence has been given to sustain it, and otherwise to disregard it. 53 Am J1st Trial § 553.

contradictory instructions:

1. Instructions given to the jury containing contradictory and conflicting rules without explanation, so that following one of them will lead to a result different from that which will obtain if another is followed.  53 Am J1st Trial § 557. [3]

curative instruction:
(1890)

1. A court’s instruction to the jury to disregard something that should not have happened in court, such as an improper outburst, misconduct by a lawyer, or testimony that flouts an order in limine. — aka curative direction.

disparaging instruction:
(1907)

1. A jury charge that discredits or defames a party to a lawsuit. — aka disparaging direction.

formula instruction:
(1927)

1. A jury charge derived from a standardized statement of the law on which the jury must base its verdict. — aka formula direction.

general instruction:

1. Any jury instruction that does not present a question or issue to be answered. — aka general direction.

identification instruction:
(1964)

1. An instruction cautioning jurors about the reliability of testimony as to a perpetrator’s appearance. — aka eyewitness-identification instruction; mistaken-identification instruction; identification direction; eyewitness-identification direction; mistaken-identification direction.

mandatory instruction:
(1895)

1. An instruction requiring a jury to find for one party and against the other if the jury determines that, based on a preponderance of the evidence, a given set of facts exists. — aka binding instruction; mandatory direction; binding direction.

model jury instruction:
(1964)

1. A form jury charge usually approved by a state bar association or similar group regarding matters arising in a typical case.  *  Courts usually accept model jury instructions as authoritative. — aka pattern jury instruction; pattern jury charge; model jury charge; model jury direction; pattern jury direction.