To Straighten
1. Separate your hair into several manageable sections
2. Place the straightener as close to the roots of the section as possible and clamp the iron down so that the heated plates touch and your hair rests between them
3. Run the flat iron down the length of your section of hair slowly, repeat as necessary
To Curl
1. Separate your hair into several manageable sections
2. Clamp the straightener around the hair and give it a half turn so that your hair is in a U-shape.
3. Hold the flat iron in this position as you move it down the hair shaft, right to the ends.