Evaluates, in question/answer form, the available research literature on giving instructions/directions in terms of their effect on learning; presents a few guidelines on writing directions for practitioners; and points out some "missing links" in the area of research. (Author)

Advocates a new set of feedback principles: (1) providing feedback immediately is frequently less effective than later; (2) it is usually a poor idea to couple feedback with praise; and (3) holding people accountable for achieving objectives that they have set often decreases their performance quality. (VT)