Vow to give attention to certain points (5)
I believe the answer is:
swear
'vow' is the definition.
(I know that swear is a kind of the vow)
'attention to certain points' is the wordplay.
'attention' becomes 'ear' (having someone's ear is having their attention).
'to' means one lot of letters go next to another (I've seen this in other clues).
'certain points' becomes 'sw' (two compass points. I am not sure about the 'certain' bit.).
'ear' after 'sw' is 'SWEAR'.
'to give' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for swear that I've seen before include "Asseverate" , "not to mince one's words" , "Solemnly promise" , "Assert" , "Use bad language" .)