All instructions are not created equal. Some of us teach, others expect you to know a lot and that doesn't help those just learning. Most of what I know is from experimentation and reading. These are some of the things I've learned as I spin cotton.

Ginned cotton, contains fibers in all types of orientation, and may contain leaf and stem trash. A good ginner will get most of the trash out but the cotton fibers cling to it like glue. Ginned cotton can be fluffed with the fingers and spun from the "cloud" just as other fibers. It's slower, but will still get yarn or thread singles.The cajun spinners spin from "bowed" fibers which have been fluffed with a bow string.

Seeded cotton fluff can be spun from the seed. Pull out a seed and the fluff will open, let it catch on a leader and turn the seed in your fingers as it pulls the fluff off and makes thread.

Punis are the preparation a lot of cotton spinners work from, tightly rolled or loosely rolled. My preference is the loose rolls made on the hand cards and then tightened a little on the back of the cards. Much easier to see than describe. I make about 3 passes with the fiber on the cards, then begin at the forward edge and roll it back with the other card. Tuck and roll easy as you form the jelly roll. Then you can move it to the back of a card and roll with the back of the other card. I've also seen people use a smooth knitting needle or dowel to roll around for tight rolls. You can use slicker brushes found in the pet section for this, they just make a smaller puni.

Sliver or roving in cotton is more directional than in other fibers. If the first end you try wants to come out in nubs, then pull off a section and try spinning from the other end. I like to pull gently on my rope of cotton until the fibers begin to move in predrafting. Dyed fiber will be compacted and this gets it going to make spinning easier. Draft it enough that you can spin the size you want. Smaller is better for cotton.

I use a long draw for spinning cotton with a spindle or wheel. I get the leader attached to the fluff with almost no pull on the fiber and then gradually pull back with the holding hand, letting the twist go into the fiber supply. Then add more twist until the yarn is almost crinkling back on itself. It will still look underspun when you ply. Holding the spindle in the non fiber hand, spin it so that the fiber holds together before trying the drop part. Same with a wheel, I spin on an Ashford traveller, only let some twist in with the minimal take up, then draw back with the holding hand slowly, then add more twist before letting it go onto the bobbin.

Cotton also comes in many different lengths of staple. Acala is usually shorter, less than an inch, pima is longer and the colors are sometimes quite short.

Joan in coastal MS, the link to photos is in an older post.