Grammar and mechanics
How do we use acronyms within our content?
Spell it out the first time you mention it and specify in parentheses. Then use the short version for all other references.
First use: Convenience and Grocery (CnG)
Second use: CnG
NOTE: eLearning modules/courses that use acronyms should make use of the acronym table towards the beginning of the module/course.
What are the five major considerations for writing accessible content?
Physical
Hearing
Visual
Cognitive (neuro-diversity)
Speech
True or False: The example below is the correct way to link out to another document or external website.
Ex: Read the Brand Guidelines for additional details.
False: Don’t include preceding articles (a, an, the, our) when you link text. For example:
Yes: Read the Brand Guidelines for additional details.
No: Read the Brand Guidelines for additional details.
What is the main benefit to having a style guide?
The style guide help us create content with a consistent voice, tone and style.
For the most part, when we write, we write in active voice rather than passive voice. What is the difference between active and passive voice?
In an active voice, the subject of the sentence does the action. In passive voice, the subject of the sentence has the action done to it.
Active: Marti logged into the account.
Passive: The account was logged into by Marti.
We want to be mindful of visual elements. When thinking about visual elements within our content, what do we want to aim for?
We want to aim for high contrast between font and background colors.
True or False: In a quiz, the "multiple choice" or "select all that apply" answer options do not need to need to be in a full sentence.
True: The designer is able to choose whether they answer choices are/are not formatted in a complete sentence.
However, we need to ensure consistency within a single questions. For example, in a single question, we would not have one answer choice as a complete sentence and the rest of the answer choices in another format.
When thinking about tone, why is it important to understand the readers emotional state?
So that you can adjust your tone to match the emotional state of the reader.
True or False: When writing, we should avoid contractions when possible?
False: We should use contractions whenever possible. This gives our writing a friendly, informal tone.
True or False: We do not use directional language?
False: We should use directional language to help the reader to see the layout or design of the page.
Yes: “Select from the options in the right sidebar.”
No: “Select from these options,” (with the steps listed after the title)
True or False: The below example shows the correct way to list the steps of a process.
1) Identify what your steps are.
2) In your head, figure out the order of your steps.
3) List your steps.
False: An ordered list that shows the steps of a process should look like this:
1. Identify what your steps are.
2. In your head, figure out the order of your steps.
3. List your steps.
What’s the difference between voice and tone?
You have the same voice all the time, but your tone changes. You might use one tone when you're out to dinner with your closest friends, and a different tone when you're in a meeting with your boss.
True or False: In the sentence below, commas are used appropriately.
At DoorDash, our customers consist of Consumers, Dashers, and Merchants.
False: According the the style guide, we do not use the serial common.
The correct way to format this sentence is: At DoorDash, our customers consist of Consumers, Dashers and Merchants.
True of False: Even when a video or audio clip is short (let's say under 10 seconds), if there is speaking in it, transcripts or closed captioning are ALWAYS required.
True: We should included transcripts or closed captioning on all video and audio clips where there is speaking.
Buttons should always contain __________.
Actions.
Example: Sign Up, Register, Log In
When including a multiple users type in a page title, what is the order the user types should fall in?
Cx, Dx, Mx, Ux
The first time you mention a person in writing, how should you refer to them?
The first time you mention a person in writing, refer to them by their first and last names. On all other mentions, refer to them by their first name.
How can you be considerate of cognitive (neurodiversity) disabilities?
Use plain language writing techniques to assist with reading and comprehension.
Make content readable so readers are not unpacking vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
True of False: All of the words on a button should be capitalized, even articles (a, an, the, our).
True: Every word on a button should be capitalized, even articles (a, an, the, our).
True or False: When are are writing about a person, include their age whenever possible.
False: Don’t reference a person’s age unless it’s relevant to what you’re writing.