Question

Start at the bus stop on the corner of Washington and Madison Streets. Get on the A126 bus to Ridgefield. Pass three stops and get off at the fourth, which is Jefferson Street. Walk several blocks. The restaurant will be on the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Adams Way.
Which revision most makes these directions easier to follow?
It is best if you start at the bus stop on the corner of Washington and Madison Streets.
Get on the A126 bus, which should be flashing its number, to Ridgefield.
Walk along Jefferson Street for exactly seven blocks.
The lavish restaurant will be on the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Adams Way.

Answer 1

The proposed revision makes the directions worse — it adds vague or irrelevant phrasing (“It is best if…,” “should be flashing its number”), a possibly incorrect precise distance (“exactly seven blocks”), and a subjective descriptor (“lavish”).

A clearer revision is short, direct, and keeps only useful details. For example:

Start at the bus stop at the corner of Washington and Madison Streets. Take the A126 bus toward Ridgefield and ride four stops; get off at Jefferson Street (the fourth stop). Walk several blocks to Adams Way; the restaurant is on the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Adams Way.

Why this is better:
- Uses clear, active instructions (“Take,” “ride,” “get off,” “walk”).
- Replaces wordy/uncertain phrases with precise, relevant details (fourth stop).
- Omits irrelevant or subjective details that could confuse the reader.