You have three different options from which to choose:

Option A. Produce a set of instructions to explain the steps of a particular hobby, such as putting together a model airplane, knitting a scarf, creating a scrapbook, or whatever (your choice). Your readers are beginning at the task.

NOTE: When you are thinking about a topic, you might have to narrow a larger one. For example, you might not be able to teach a beginner how to knit an entire scarf, but you can teach him or her the basic steps he or she will need to know to begin knitting as a hobby.

Option B. You have just been asked by your station officer to train a new firefighter in the same tasks you perform on the job (pump, drive, clean the hose tower). Produce a set of instructions this firefighter, rookie, can take home to study. You need to cover all aspects of the job – everything he or she will need to know to perform the job.

Option C. Because you are an experienced senior firefighter at your department, you have just been asked by one of the following individuals to produce an instructional booklet that can be distributed to new firefighters at orientation. The topic of your set of instructions will depend upon which of the following you choose to write for:

• Joe Smith, Chief of fire prevention (how to inspect a business and maintain up-to-date fire inspection records)
• Sara Bardeen, Captain, Emergency Medical Coordinator (how to check the drug box at the beginning of each shift)
• Eric Manning, training specialist, operations division (how to develop and maintain good physical fitness)
• ________________X, area of your choice (how to survive some other aspect of the fire service)