You've read about technical documents and the way they're designed to convey
information, and you've read a project plan that explains a process. it might have
occurred to you, though, that a lot of technical information is conveyed orally, not in
documents. because of that, we're putting a spin on this activity. instead of
discussing your response to a claim as usual, you'll work with your peers to practice
giving and receiving oral instructions.
the instructions you develop have to include directions for performing tasks,
answering questions, solving problems, and completing processes.
possibilities include: staging a scavenger hunt; putting together a piece of electronic
equipment; and building a specific object, like a birdhouse or a bike (with building
toys, for example).
your instructions should do the following:
1. include clear objectives: what exactly will the group need to do?
2. be clear about what supplies and how much time are needed.
3. present your instructions in a clear and organized way.
4. use simple, focused language.
your teacher will divide the class into groups and then pair the groups. each group
will both give and receive instructions, following the process below.