Y06W20RC Give Clear Directions

Giving directions sounds simple, but it works best when the steps are clear and easy to follow. This week, you will look at how spoken instructions become more helpful when they are organised in order and checked along the way. As you read, notice what makes directions feel smooth, specific and easy to act on.

Practical / transactional — Instructions/procedures

Instructions or procedures are pieces of writing or speaking that tell someone how to do something step by step. Writers and speakers use them for practical, transactional purposes so the listener can complete a task clearly and correctly. You will usually find a goal, ordered steps, sequencing words, exact details and sometimes checks to make sure the message has been understood. As you read, your job is to follow the order carefully, notice the language that guides each step and work out what makes the directions clear rather than confusing.

Before You Read

  • Read the title and notice that this text is about directions that help people actually complete a task.
  • Think about how confusing it can be when someone gives too many steps at once or skips an important detail.
  • Get ready to look for signs of clear order, such as numbered steps and check questions.

While You Read

  • Pause after each section and make sure you understand the goal before moving to the next part.
  • Use the numbered steps as reading aids, because they show the order the speaker should follow.
  • Watch for sequencing words like 'first', 'next', 'then' and 'finally', since they act like signposts.
  • Notice how the 'check question' examples help confirm whether the listener has understood.
  • Pay attention to exact details in the examples, because specific language often makes the direction clearer.

Read With Purpose

  • Notice how step order helps the listener know what to do first and what comes after.
  • Pay attention to the small language choices that make directions more precise and useful.
  • Look for how checking for understanding can stop confusion before the task goes off track.

Now read

The instructions

~2 min read · ~413 words

Directions That Work

Purpose

Clear directions help people know what to do, in what order and how to check they are on track. This matters in everyday tasks such as packing up equipment, setting up a class game or organising materials for an activity. Good directions do not rush ahead or leave gaps. They guide the listener one step at a time.

Step order rules

1. Start with the goal.

Say what the person is trying to do before you list the steps. For example: ‘We are setting up the reading corner for group time.’

2. Give one step at a time.

A clear instruction is easier to follow when it focuses on one action. Long strings of actions can become confusing.

3. Use sequencing words.

Words such as ‘first’, ‘next’, ‘then’ and ‘finally’ show order. They act like signposts, helping the listener follow the procedure.

4. Be specific.

Instead of saying ‘Put that over there’, say ‘Place the blue tub on the back table.’ Specific language makes the message clearer and more useful.

5. Include an accessibility note when needed.

Directions should work for different people. You might add helpful details such as ‘Say the step aloud and point to the shelf’ or ‘Show the label as you explain it.’ This makes the instruction more inclusive.

Check-for-understanding prompts Even clear directions can be missed if the listener is distracted or unsure. That is why a good speaker checks for understanding. A check should sound calm and supportive, not like a test.

Here are some useful examples:

  • ‘What do you do first?’
  • ‘Can you show me where that goes?’
  • ‘Which step comes next?’
  • ‘Do you want me to repeat that more slowly?’
  • ‘Is any part unclear?’

These questions help you notice confusion early. They also give the listener a chance to ask for help before the task goes off track.

Quick practice scenario

Imagine you are helping a classmate return sports bibs after lunch.

A clearer set of directions might sound like this:

  • ‘First, collect all the red bibs.’
  • ‘Next, fold them in half.’
  • ‘Then, place them in the labelled tub near the equipment shelf.’
  • ‘Finally, bring the tub to Ms Rana.’

After that, you could check for understanding by asking, ‘What do you do after you collect the bibs?’

Directions work best when they are ordered, specific and checked. If the listener knows the goal, hears the steps clearly and has a chance to confirm them, the task is much more likely to go smoothly.

Check your vocabulary knowledge

procedure n.
a set of steps to follow
sequencing adj.
showing the order of steps
specific adj.
clear and exact
accessibility n.
making something easier for different people to use
inclusive adj.
designed to work well for everyone