AUDIENCE AND PURPOSE novice: first-time user experienced: has
performed a similar task Instructions help the reader perform a
task.
Slide 4
WHAT AUDIENCES WANT TO KNOW Why am I doing this? How do I do
it? What material or equipment do I need? Where do I begin? What do
I do next? What could go wrong?
Slide 5
EFFECTIVE AND EXCELLENT INSTRUCTIONS Clear and limiting title
Informed content Visuals Appropriate level of detail and
technicality Logically ordered steps Notes and hazard notices
Readability Effective design
Slide 6
Slide 7
NOTICES note clarifies a point, emphasizes vital information,
or describes options or alternatives caution prevents possible
mistakes that could result in injury or equipment damage warning
alerts users to potential hazards to life or limb danger identifies
an immediate hazard to life or limb
Slide 8
LEGAL ISSUES Courts have ruled that a writing defect in product
support literature carries the same type of liability as a design
or manufacturing defect in the product itself. (Lannon 487, from
Girill Technical Communication and the Law 37) failure to instruct
and caution users in the proper use of a product failure to warn
against hazards from proper use failure to warn against the
possible misuses failure to explain a products benefits and risks
in language that average consumers can understand failure to convey
the extent of risk with forceful language failure to display
warnings prominently