(Ref:
Always when running a process newly or whenever the preclear is confused about the meaning of commands, clear each word of each command with the preclear. using the dictionary if necessary. This has long been standard procedure.
You want a pc set up to run smoothly, knowing what is expected of him and understanding exactly the question being asked or the command being given. A misunderstood word or auditing command can waste hours of auditing time and keep a whole case from moving.
Thus this preliminary step to running a process or procedure for the first time is vital.
The rules of clearing commands are:
1. Under no circumstances is the auditor to evaluate for the pc and tell him what the word or command means.
2. Always have the necessary (and good) dictionaries in the auditing room with you.
This would include the Tech Dictionary, the Admin Dictionary, a good English dictionary, and a good non-dinky dictionary in the pc’s native language. For a foreign language case (where the pc’s native language is not English) you will also need a dual dictionary for that language and English.
(Example: English word “apple” is looked up in English/French dictionary and “pomme” is found. Now look in the French dictionary to define “pomme.”)
So for the foreign language case two dictionaries are needed: (1) English to foreign language (2) foreign language itself.
3. Have the pc on the cans throughout the clearing of the words and commands.
4. Clear the command (or question or list item) backwards by first clearing in turn each word in the command in backwards sequence.
(Example: To clear the command “Do fish swim?” clear “swim” first, then “fish,” then “do.”)
This prevents the pc starting to run the process by himself while you are still clearing the words.
4a. Note: F/Ns obtained on clearing the words does not mean the process has been run.
5. Next, clear the command itself.
Auditor asks the pc, “What does this command mean to you?” If it is evident from the pc’s answer that he has misunderstood a word as it is used in the context of the command:
(a) Re-clear the obvious word (or words) using the dictionary.
(b) Have him use each word in a sentence until he has it. (The worst fault is the pc using a new set of words in place of the actual word and answering the alter-ised word, not the word itself. See HCOB 10 Mar 65, Words, Mis-Understood Goofs.)
(c) Re-clear the command.
(d) If necessary, repeat Steps a, b and c above to make sure he understands the command.
5a. Note: that a word reads when clearing a command, an assessment question or listing question does not mean the command or question itself has read necessarily. Mis-understood words read on the meter.
6. When clearing the command, watch the meter and note any read on the command. (Ref: HCOB 28 Feb 71, C/S Series 24, Important Metering Reading Items.)
7. Don’t clear the commands of all ruds and run them, or of all processes and run them. you’ll miss F/Ns. the commands of one process are cleared just before that process is run.
8. ARC breaks and lists should be word cleared before a pc gets into them and should be tagged in the pc’s folder on a yellow sheet as cleared. (Ref: BTB 5 Nov 72R II, rev. 24.7. 74, Auditor Admin Series 6R, The Yellow Sheet.)
As it is difficult to clear all the words of a correction list on a pc over heavy by-passed charge, it is standard to clear the words of an L1C and ruds very early in auditing and to clear an L4BRA before commencing listing processes or an L3RE before running R3RA. Then, when the need for these correction lists arises one does not need to clear all the words as it has already been done. Thus, such correction lists can be used without delay.
It is also standard to clear the words of the Word Clearing Correction List early in auditing and before other correction lists are cleared. This way, if the pc bogs on subsequent Word Clearing, you have your Word Clearing Correction List ready to use.
9. If, however, your pc is sitting in the middle of an ARC break (or other heavy charge) and the words of the L1C (or other correction list) have not been cleared yet, don’t clear first. Go ahead and assess the list to handle the charge. Otherwise it’s auditing over an ARC break.
In this case you just verify by asking afterwards if he had any misunderstoods on the list.
All the words of the L1C (or other correction list) would then be cleared thoroughly at the first opportunity – per your C/S’s instructions.
10. Do not re-clear all the words of assessment lists each time the list is used on the same pc. Do it once, fully and properly the first time and note clearly in the folder, on the yellow sheet for future reference, which of the- standard assessment lists have been cleared.
11. These rules apply to all processes, listing questions and assessments.
12. The words of the platens of advanced course materials are not so cleared.
Any violation of full and correct clearing of commands or assessment questions, whether done in a formal session or not, is an ethics offense per HCO PL 4 Apr 72R (Rev. 21.6. 75) Ethics And Study Tech, Section 4, which states:
“Any auditor failing to clear each and every word of every command or list used may be summoned before a court of ethics.
“The charge is Out Tech.”