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This is an informal summary of the General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours. The full text can be found in most breviaries (at the start of Vol. 1 of multi-volume sets).
In contrast with the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours is relatively free in its specification of how things should be done. The texts, psalms, and prayers are the important things, and after that, many variations are allowed according to local circumstances and tradition.
The General Instruction concerns itself with public celebration of the Divine Office. In private recitation you should adopt whatever posture seems reasonable and appropriate. Similarly, in recitation within a small group (such as a family) the aim is to assist the devotional aspect of the Office and not to cause a distraction-- frequently, an unvarying posture (standing or sitting) is best. For your information, however, here is a brief summary of what happens in a public celebration:
Each psalm in the Divine Office has a title, which is not intended to be read out, but which helps in the understanding of its significance.
Each psalm is also given an antiphon. The antiphon may be said once, at the beginning of the psalm; or once at the beginning and once at the end (either before or after the Glory Be); or additionally between every verse of the psalm. Which of these methods is chosen is up to whoever is organising the recitation: if you are doing it on your own, then you have to choose for yourself.
In a celebration of the Hours by more than one person, it is also possible to alternate the verses, between two choirs or two parts of the congregation. In this case it is probably less appropriate to insert the antiphon after every verse.
When a longer psalm has been split into parts, each part can be treated as a separate psalm, or the parts can be united into a single, longer psalm, with the Glory Be said only once, at the very end.
At present, the Universalis site does not present many antiphons, except for the invitatory psalm and for Compline. This omission will be rectified in due course.
Lauds and Vespers have short Biblical readings (not yet included in the Universalis site). It is always permissible to substitute appropriate longer readings for these: for instance, the Mass reading of the day.
Responsories (not yet included in Universalis, except for Compline) follow readings in the Liturgy, and help to meditate on the significance of those readings. In individual recitation, the repeated part of the responsory can be omitted, unless the meaning demands that it be kept.
These start with an introduction and a short response, and there then follow a number of intentions, each of which is in two halves. Here are the two methods recommended by the General Instruction:
When reciting the Office on your own, choose whatever is most comfortable. The second method usually works better.
It is permissible to add special intentions at Morning Prayer and at Evening Prayer.
Universalis uses a translation of the Roman Breviary, but individual Episcopal Conferences usually modify the prayers and intercessions quite extensively.
This may be said at any time - even after Vespers of the previous night. It helps, though, to try to say it at a regular time each day.
Where circumstances require it, the public celebration of a particular Hour may be merged with the Mass, or with another Hour. The rules for doing this are rather complicated, and can be found in the General Instruction referred to at the start of this page.
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