Audience Needs Assessment:

Scenario 1: I am an employee at a swimming pool construction and maintenance company and I

have been tasked with writing instructions for customers that explain how to test the pool water
and add chemicals at home for weekly maintenance. While my company does offer free
computerized water testing at the store, sometimes customers do not want to take a trip to have it
tested, and would prefer to do so at home and work with what they already have. These
customers will be using less advanced testing materials and will have to figure out the chemical
dosages on their own, so these instructions must be extremely detailed. While some customers
are familiar with how their pools run and are familiar with the technical jargon that comes with
pool ownership, these instructions should be written in simpler terms for those who may not be
comfortable with the terminology. Short feedback statements and graphics should be utilized to
help explain these terms and locations. Having a short glossary for the function of each chemical
is also helpful. The audience of these instructions will be continuously referring to them
throughout the process of water treatment.

Scenario 2: I am an employee at a swimming pool construction and maintenance company and I

have been tasked with writing instructions/a checklist for the service crew that explain which
chemicals to add at time of weekly service. The crew is already familiar with all the chemical
names as well as technical pool terminology, so these instructions do not have to be as detailed.
The crew will not require any graphics or chemical glossary, as they will mainly be using this set
of directions as a checklist for when they perform the service. The crew will also not need to be
reminded of the dosage amounts, as they have this information memorized. They know how to
perform the task, but will briefly reference these instructions to be sure that they have added all

necessary materials. Having one set of instructions for LOW, OK, and HIGH readings will be
enough information for the crew to service pools effectively.

Scenario 1 Instructions:
How To Test Pool Water and Add Maintenance Chemicals

These instructions will explain how to test swimming pool water and add chemicals, which is an
important part of keeping a clean, clear, and safe pool. Water should be tested with non-expired
tests strips once a month in order to maintain proper water chemistry. These instructions are
written for swimming pool customers using the Aqua Chex test strips and corresponding E-Z
Clor chemicals approved by Snyder Pools and Spas. This process will take approximately 30 to
45 minutes to complete.
Required Materials:

• E-Z Clor Shock Granular Chlorine (1 lb./5,000 gallons of water)

• E-Z Clor Algaecide (6 oz.)
• E-Z Clor Alkalinity Up (1 lb./5,000 gallons of water)
• E-Z Clor pH Up (1 lb./10,000 gallons of water)
• E-Z Clor Stabilizer/Cyanuric Acid (1 lb./5,000 gallons of water)
• E-Z Clor Calcium Elevator (1 lb./5,000 gallons of water)
• Aqua Chek Test Strip (1 strip per test)

NOTE: You may need to purchase additional chemicals from your local swimming pool supply
store if you do not have enough on hand for treatment.

Testing with the Aqua Chek Strip

The Aqua Chek test strips have six color-changing boxes that indicate the present level of each
chemical. Each box has a LOW, OK, and HIGH reading. The OK range is the desired reading for
each chemical. See the chart below for the setup of the strip and the various reading levels.
1. Remove one Aqua Chek strip from its container and ensure that the strip is clean and dry.
Discard the strip if it is wet or damaged.
2. Insert the test strip fully into the pool water for two seconds, then remove it from the water.
3. Let the test strip air dry for 15 seconds for most accurate results.
4. Compare the test strip to the chart on the back of the test strip container.

CAUTION: Do not shake the test strip. It may alter the test results and damage the strip.

Adding Chemicals for a LOW Reading

A LOW reading indicates that all chemical levels in the water are too low to maintain safe, clear
water. See the instructions below for raising all chemicals from LOW to OK range.
1. Add 1 lb. of Shock per every 5,000 gallons of water to the white skimmer basket. The
skimmer basket will be located behind the water intake box at the side of the pool. Wait until
it is completely dissolved before proceeding to step 2.

CAUTION: Do not add any granular chemicals directly into the swimming area of the pool. Due
to their potency, they may strip the pool liner of its color unless added directly to the skimmer
baskets.

5. Add 6 oz. of liquid Algaecide directly into the pool water.

6. Add 1 lb. of Alkalinity Up per every 5,000 gallons of water into the white skimmer basket.
Wait until it is completely dissolved before proceeding to Step 4.

7. Add 1 lb. of pH Up per every 10,000 gallons of water into the white skimmer basket. Wait
until it is completely dissolved before proceeding to step 5.

8. Add 1 lb. of Stabilizer per ever 5,000 gallons of water into the white skimmer basket. Wait
until it is completely dissolved before proceeding to step 6.

9. Add 1 lb. of Calcium Elevator per every 5,000 gallons of water into the white skimmer
basket. Wait until it is completely dissolved before closing the skimmer cover.

10. Allow the swimming pool to run for a full 24 hours after adding any chemicals. The pool
must be running in order for the chemicals to pass through the filtration system and treat the
entire body of water.

WARNING: Allow chemicals to filter through the swimming pool for 12-24 hours before
swimming. Swimming in freshly treated water can cause chemical burns and other adverse
medical reactions.
Adding Chemicals for an OK Reading
An OK reading indicates that all chemical levels are currently in range for maintaining safe,
clear water. Regular sanitization and algae preventative are still necessary even with an OK
reading. See instructions below.

1. Add 1 lb. of Shock per every 5,000 gallons of water to the white skimmer basket. The
skimmer basket will be located behind the water intake box at the side of the pool.

CAUTION: Do not add any granular chemicals directly into the swimming area of the pool. Due
to their potency, they may strip the pool liner of its color unless added directly to the skimmer
baskets.

11. Add 6 oz. of liquid Algaecide directly into the pool water.

12. Allow the swimming pool to run for a full 24 hours after adding any chemicals. The pool
must be running in order for the chemicals to pass through the filtration system and treat the
entire body of water.

WARNING: Allow chemicals to filter through the swimming pool for 12-24 hours before
swimming. Swimming in freshly treated water can cause chemical burns and other adverse
medical reactions.

Adding Chemicals for a HIGH Reading

A HIGH reading indicates that current chemical levels are too high to maintain safe, clear
water. It is not necessary to add any further chemicals. Fresh water is strongly recommended.

1. Add as much fresh, untreated water from a hose or tanker truck to the swimming pool that
you can fit without water exiting the overflow drain. The overflow drain is located at the
back of the skimmer intake box along the side wall of the pool.

13. Allow the swimming pool to run a full 24 hours. The pool must be running in order for the
fresh water to pass through the filtration system.

NOTE: Adding fresh water will dilute the chemicals currently present in the swimming pool,
gradually lowering the reading into the OK range.

WARNING: Entering a pool with chemicals reading HIGH may cause chemical burns and other
adverse medical reactions.

Chemical Function Glossary:

• E-Z Clor Shock Granular Chlorine:
• Shock is a granular form of chlorine that will sanitize the pool by killing off bacteria and
other organic particles.
• E-Z Clor Algaecide:
• Algaecide is a liquid treatment that will kill and prevent slimy algae growth that may be
promoted by poor water circulation, excessive sunshine, or heavy bather load.
• E-Z Clor Alkalinity Up:
• Alkalinity Up with raise the alkaline level of the water, creating a buffer to prevent rapid pH
fluctuation.
• E-Z Clor pH Up:
• pH Up will raise the pH level of water (on the 0-14 scale) in order to prevent corrosion, ear
infections, and cloudy water.
• E-Z Clor Stabilizer:
• Stabilizer will prevent the chlorine from burning off too quickly due to excessive sunshine,
rainfall, or heavy bather load.
• E-Z Clor Calcium Elevator:
• Calcium Elevator will raise the water hardness to keep the pool liner supple and resistant to

tearing or corrosion.

Scenario 2 Instructions:
Testing and Treating Pool Water

These instructions serve as a weekly treatment checklist for the Snyder Pools crew. Remember to
allocate at least 30 minutes at each customer location, and keep the service vans fully stocked
with chemicals from the material list below.

Required Materials:

• E-Z Clor Shock Granular Chlorine (1 lb./5,000 gallons of water)

• E-Z Clor Algaecide (6 oz.)
• E-Z Clor Alkalinity Up (1 lb./5,000 gallons of water)
• E-Z Clor pH Up (1 lb./10,000 gallons of water)
• E-Z Clor Stabilizer/Cyanuric Acid (1 lb./5,000 gallons of water)
• E-Z Clor Calcium Elevator (1 lb./5,000 gallons of water)
• Aqua Chek Test Strip (1 strip per test)

Testing & Treating Swimming Pool Water

1. Remove one Aqua Chek test strip from its container and ensure that it is clean and dry.
Discard the strip if it is wet or damaged.
14. Insert the test strip fully into the swimming pool water for two seconds, then remove it from
the water.
15. Let the test strip air dry for 15 seconds for most accurate results.
16. Compare the test strip to the chart on the back of the test strip container.
17. Determine the necessary chemical dosages depending on the Aqua Chek test strip reading:
LOW, OK, or HIGH.
18. Add E-Z Clor Shock Granular Chlorine into the skimmer. Wait until it is fully dissolved
before proceeding to step 7.
19. Add E-Z Clor Algaecide into the swimming pool water.
20. Add E-Z Clor Alkalinity Up into the skimmer as needed. Wait until it is fully dissolved
before proceeding to step 9.
21. Add E-Z Clor pH Up into the skimmer as needed. Wait until it is fully dissolved before
proceeding to step 10.
22. Add E-Z Clor Stabilizer into the skimmer as needed. Wait until it is fully dissolved before
proceeding to step 11.
23. Add E-Z Clor Calcium Elevator into the skimmer as needed.
In conclusion, please remind the homeowner to allow the swimming pool filter to run for a full

24 hours following the addition of required chemicals. Dispose of any garbage from the job site
(empty chemical buckets, spilled chemicals, etc.) before returning to the retail shop.

Module 2 Project Reflection

Though these two sets of instructions are focusing on the same task, they are tailored to
two different audiences with two very different levels of experience. I chose “How to Test
Swimming Pool Water and Add Maintenance Chemicals” as my title for Scenario 1, because
the inexperienced audience may be unsure as to why they need to add chemicals at all. Using the
word “maintenance” in the title suggests that this is a regular part of pool ownership and care. I
shaved down the specificity for my title for Scenario 2, which reads “Testing and Treating Pool
Water,” because the Snyder Pools crew does not require detailed instruction or reminders that
this is regularly scheduled pool treatment that is required to maintain a clean pool. This more
concise title in the gerund form caters to the crew’s reading preference for brief and to-the-point
instructions that they will use as a checklist.
Writing an introduction for a set of instructions is extremely important, as it will
highlight several pieces of information that readers should know prior to starting the task. As our
textbook states in Chapter 20, introductions can answer the following questions: “Who should
carry out this task? Why should the reader carry out this task? When should the reader carry out
this task? What safety measures or other concerns should the reader understand? Was items will
the reader need? How long will the task take?” (Markel & Selber, Chapter 20). The introduction
for Scenario 1 answers all of these questions wth the exception of the safety precautions, as I
have inserted appropriate warning/caution messages within each step that may require one. The
Scenario 1 audience requires much more detailed instructions, which is why I have written a
much more extensive and detailed introduction. The introduction for Scenario 2 is very different,
as the Snyder Pools crew does not require a reminder of most of the information that the
Scenario 1 audience requires. The Scenario 2 introduction simply reminds the crew to spend an
appropriate amount of time at each job site and keep their vans stocked with the required
materials.
For the written instructions, I was sure to divide the steps into manageable chunks that
the audience for Scenario 1 could handle and refer back to depending on the outcome of the first
sub-section titled “Testing with the Aqua Chek Strip.” The three sections surrounding the
chemical dosages have very different instructions depending on the test result, and I made sure to
keep these sections separated by headings with a larger font of a different color. These headings
will prevent confusion. I was also sure to include graphics of both the test strip result chart and a
standard swimming pool plumbing diagram. These two graphics will explain how the test works
and will supplement the (simplified) technical jargon I have included. I was sure to add short yet
specific explanations for things such as the “white skimmer basket” that reads “The skimmer
basket will be located behind the water intake box at the side of the pool.” In Scenario 2, the item
is referred to as only the “skimmer” because the crew from Scenario 2 are experienced in pool
care and terminology.
I used the imperative mood in both sets of instructions, as it is the most impactful and
most effective method for writing instructions; composing statements such as “Compare the test
strip.” The imperative mood is telling the reader exactly what to do without promoting
confusion. I made sure that the statements for Scenario 1 were longer, because as I mentioned
previously, the audience in Scenario 1 requires more extensive explanation than the Scenario 2
audience.
There were not many feedback statements I used to indicate a reaction that would happen
after a step was taken, but I did use several reminder statements that instructed the Scenario 1
audience to perform actions such as “Wait until it is completely dissolved before proceeding to
step 5,” so the audience did not move through the instructions too quickly. I included this same
reminder statement in the Scenario 2 instructions, but the crew is already aware of the necessary
waiting period between chemicals. It, again, serves as a detailed checklist.
For my conclusions, Scenario 1 is completed with a final warning message/reminder. The
audience is reminded to allow their pool to remain running for a full 24 hours following the
addition of any chemicals or fresh water, because the chemicals must have enough time to pass
through the filtration system and reach the entire gallonage of the pool. The conclusion that I
wrote for the Scenario 2 audience is a reminder to educate the homeowner on the 2 hour rule and
to clean up after themselves before leaving the job site. Because the crew does not require further
instruction, the conclusion is appropriately brief without leaving them confused.
I also thought that including a Chemical Glossary for the Scenario 1 Audience was a
helpful touch. Although the chemical names are generally self-explanatory (like “pH Up” having
the function of increasing the pH level of the water), you cannot assume that the audience
completely understands their function. The definitions are fairly elementary, but the audience has
a guide to refer to in order to squash any confusion they may have regarding the chemical
functions and the differences between them.
Overall, these instructions are very different while offering the same sort of content. The
two audiences are both dealing with common swimming pool maintenance but bring two very
difference experience levels to the table. I think that Scenario 1 instructions are comprehensive
and detailed enough to successfully teach inexperienced pool owners how to treat their pools;
and I think that the Scenario 2 instructions are a great written checklist for the experienced pool
technicians to follow on the job.