The other day I was cleaning out a shelf above our computer desk downstairs. Almost a third of one shelf was “directions” sheets and books that came with things we’ve bought over the years. Some of the things we still have and use, some we haven’t had for years and some I don’t even remember ever using. Most of the directions literature say to read them carefully before operating the device. I have to be honest — I don’t remember ever reading any of them.
But before I threw them away, I decided that I should look through them, and I noticed that a lot of the older ones were poorly written — from a grammar point of view. Obviously the machine or whatever it was, was made in a foreign country and the directions were written by someone whose English was his second (or third) language. It seems like most of the newer ones are written in better English. Another thing I noticed was that a lot of the directions/instructions were mostly made up of safety information and warnings. I guess legally, they have to include this information, but I think most people know you should turn off an electric saw before changing the blade and it’s probably not a good idea to put your electric hair dryer in the dishwasher.
I’m a firm believer in the trial and error method of learning — directions are something I turn to as a last resort, so I’m not sure why I saved all these books and pamphlets. And I’ve noticed that if it turns out that I really do need directions for something, that’s almost always the one that I did throw out.
And while we’re on the subject, I agree that reading and following directions is important — here’s an activity, or a version of it, that I first became aware of in a psychology class in college. It’s been around for years, but if for some reason you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to do it. I remember it being very enlightening when it was presented to our class and generated a lot of discussion — some of us found it funny, some of us were embarrassed.
DIRECTIONS WORKSHEET:
(Materials: you may need: a sheet of notebook paper, a pencil, and a box of crayons.)
Directions:
1. Real all directions before beginning.
2. Take out one sheet of lined paper.
3. Place it on your table/desk so that the holes are on the left side and the margin is at the top.
4. Skipping lines, number your paper 1-7.
5. On the first line, write your name.
6. On the second line, write the name of a flower.
7.On the sixth line, draw three stars using a blue crayon.
8, In the center of the paper, about 5 lines below line seven, draw a box.
9. Write the number of siblings you have to the right of the box.
10. Divide the box into four equal parts with a purple crayon.
11. Color the top right hand section of the box orange.
12. Draw a flower in the bottom left had corner of the box.
13. Color the center of the flower red.
14. Turn your paper upside down.
15. Write out today’s date using all capital letters.
16. Turn your paper right side up again.
17. On line three, draw a small picture of your favorite food.
18. Draw a circle around it.
19. Write the name of your first pet on line four.
20. Draw a star in each corner of your paper, using four different colors.
21. Underline two of the stars.
22. Turn your paper over.
23. Fold it in half lengthwise.
24. Fold in half the other way.
25. Write your middle name on the outside.
26.Ignore directions one through twenty-five and enjoy watching everyone else do this activity wrong.
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