Numeracy is a fundamental component of the Australian National Curriculum as a General Capability identified in each F-10 subject. In this paper, we consider the principles of design necessary for the development of numeracy tasks specific to subjects other than mathematics--in this case, the subject of English. We explore the nature of potential design principles by synthesising generic principles of task design from relevant literature, mapping these principles against an episode of classroom practice sourced from a project concerned with enhancing teaching in numeracy, and interrogating this mapping for elements of design that are complementary to aspects identified in the generic principles.