Read ALL the instructions completely through.
If there are words you don't fully understand, ask or look them up
in a dictionary.
Figure out what you are to
accomplish; that is, what the end
result should be.
Look at the information you have to work with.
Read it
just
to familiarize yourself
with it.
Go back and reread the instructions. Try to
connect in your mind
each part of the instructions
with something in the
problem statement or
something you must
do. You may need to go back and read
sections of the problem. (Keep track of where you are in the
instructions by placing your finger or pencil point at that
spot.)
Do not be overly alarmed if you don’t
understand why an instruction is given. Sometimes that may not
become clear until after you have done everything. Sometimes it
will never be clear as to why you should do that instruction. That
is likely the fault of the person who wrote the instruction,
nevertheless, DON’T IGNORE IT. THE SAFEST THING IS TO DO THAT
INSTRUCTION!
Remember that instructions are
usually written in the
sequence in which you should do them.
Try this:
Read the 1st instruction and do
it.
Read the 2nd instruction and do
it.
Read the 3rd instruction and do
it.
Etc.
Start to solve the problem or to do the work.
Keep in mind what the
end result should be.
Go back and
forth between the exercise and the
instructions as needed
to clarify what to
do. (Don’t try to do the
instructions from memory! You are likely to shoot yourself in the
foot!)
Reread the instructions from beginning to end.
Check off each
part that you have done. If you forgot
some part, do it now and then repeat the item above (step
#8).
When you have finished,
pretend to be the
teacher. Proofread your work
looking for
errors, incompleteness, poor English,
or lack of clarity.
Take pride in your work:
clean up anything that is done poorly. It will also help your
grade!
