2. Career Activity: In small groups, use graph paper to draw two creative geometric shapes equal in difficulty to those found in Figure 6.2. Your task is to use the rules for giving effective instructions presented in this chapter to explain how to draw each shape in 5 minutes or less. Practice on each other until you think you have the clearest, fastest instructions then complete the following:

 Each group member should present the directions at a later time to at least three people one at a time—make sure that these volunteers are family, friends, or work colleagues but not classmates.

Remember that participants can’t ask you questions once the instructions begin; you may watch their faces, but should not see what they are actually doing; begin with an overall picture and end with a complete summary. When the 5 minutes are over (or sooner, if the participant is finished), show the correct answer and ask for suggestions on how to make your instructions even better. Revise your instructions and try them on the next person.

 Return to class and share your successes and failures. As a group, discuss your answers to these questions:

(a) what did you learn about the way you give instructions?

(b) what did you learn about the way others follow instructions?

and

(c) how do your experiences relate to the workplace?