Specificity
This wording is more specific: "turn the lid left" vs. "twist the cap counterclockwise."
What is "twist the cap counterclockwise"?
This is the kind of language you should use when writing instructions.
What is formal, straightforward, and logical language? (I will accept any one of these.)
This is the slang word in the following sentence: "Use various icings to decorate the cookie, but don't be too extra."
What is "extra"?
Most people who read instructions are in this kind of mood.
What is frustrated, bad, or cranky?
This wording is more specific: "use a butter knife to spread a slice of butter across the top side of a piece of toast" or "put the butter on the toast."
What is "use a butter knife to spread a slice of butter across the top side of a piece of toast"?
You should be as (pick one: specific/vague) as possible when writing instructions.
What is specific?
This is the slang word in the following sentence: "For a lit photo shoot, charge your camera's batteries before the session."
What is "lit"?
This is when most people decide to consult the instructions.
What is when they can't figure it out on their own?
This wording is more specific: "put toothpaste on the toothbrush" or "squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto the bristles of the toothbrush."
What is "squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto the bristles of the toothbrush"?
This is the only thing you should ever assume when writing instructions.
What is the audience has never used this thing before?
This is the slang word in the following sentence: "Open a new Google Doc, align the text left, and begin typing. From there, it will all be Gucci."
What is "Gucci"?
What is easy?
This wording is more specific: "place pizza rolls in oven" or "place tray of pizza rolls in oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit."
This is when you should number the steps in your instructions.
What is when the steps must be completed in a specific order?
This is the slang word in the following sentence: "Instead of getting salty, calm down by drinking some of our tea. Simply submerge the tea bag into hot (not quite boiling water) and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. The enjoy!"
What is "salty"?
Ineffective instructions make people feel this way.
What is confused or frustrated?
This wording is more specific: "insert USB adapter into the USB port of your computer" or "plug the USB adapter into your computer."
What is "insert USB adapter into the USB port of your computer"?
This is when you should use bullets to list the steps in your instructions.
What is when you are listing options or steps that can be done in any order?
This is the slang word in the following sentence: "Take a comment card below to tell us how you feel instead of throwing shade on social media."
What is "shade" or "throwing shade"?
These people make up the audience for instructions.
What are people who don't know how to use the thing?