Terms
Found at the beginning of instructions, these indicate who should follow the instructions and what the instructions will explain.
What is an introduction?
These typically begin with an imperative verb.
What is a command?
One of these typically alerts a user about a safety concern.
What is a warning or caution?
Language choice might depend on who the instructions are for. This consideration would be...
Who is the audience?
A verb that makes a request, offers advice, issues a command, or gives an instruction
What is an imperative command?
This personal pronoun should not be used in written instructions.
What is "you"?
A list of these after the introduction helps instruction followers to be prepared.
What are materials?
What is the purpose?
A step within a step
What is a nested step?
Language to avoid in instructions, like "if", "should" or "maybe", is called this.
What is hesitant language?
A 1/2 cup as opposed to a little bit
What are specific measurements?
Peer review of instructions is called this.
What is usability testing?
Explanations that suggest things to check if something isn't working correctly after following instructions.
What is troubleshooting?
Using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance
What is parallel structure or parallel language?
This information explains additional considerations or why a step should be performed.
What is supplemental information?
These words are technical terms, typically used in a field or industry.
What is jargon?
What is an alternative step?
What are "a", "an", and "the"?
These should be used to illustrate a step.
What are visuals or graphics?
At the end of the instructions, some people might include this to define terms.
What is a background or a glossary or an appendix?