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How NOT To Write Instructions

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15 views19 pages

How NOT To Write Instructions

Uploaded by

windows4hasan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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You are on page 1/ 19

How NOT to

write
instructions

1
All slides from 3-10 are from Heath (2020) see the reference list for complete details of the source.

2
Figure 2 Interesting Warning (Heath 2020)
3
4
Figure 3 Wearing your helmet (Heath 2020)
Figure 4 Right is left (Heath 2020)
5
6
Figure 5 Going nowhere (Heath 2020)
Figure 6 Notice the notice (Heath 2020) 7
8
Figure 7 Everything is forbidden (Heath 2020)
Figure 8 Precaution (Heath 2020)
9
How does this work?

Figure 9 Face mask issue (Martinez 2021} 10


Really!!!

11
Figure 10 Racism (deMilked n.d.)
Not sure that this is a good idea!

12
Figure 11 End children (deMilked n.d.)
Well, that’s clear!

13
Figure 12 Environmental message (deMilked n.d.)
Okay, I can do that!

Figure 13 No blood donation (deMilked n.d.) 14


If you insist!

Figure 14 Smoking first (deMilked n.d.)


15
Writing Instructions (Brown n.d. cited in Dozuki n.d.)
“Assemble small 90° adapter fitting to outlet port of filter base and orient so that free end of fitting will
point toward backhoe and angled about 30° upward from horizontal.”

If you’re like most readers, you probably didn’t make it to the end of that sentence.
Layout and punctuation are important
While run-on sentences like this might make sense to the writer, readers rely on things like periods (full
stops) and commas to make distinctions between ideas.

Divide the previous instruction into sections/points ; this allows each piece of information to be clear
and direct.

1. Attach the small 90° adapter fitting to the port of the filter base.
2. Check that the free end of the fitting points toward the backhoe.
3. Angle the fitting about 30° upward of horizontal.

Breaking down steps into smaller, direct components gives readers:


• the opportunity to process each instruction thoroughly,
• prevents errors and misunderstanding. 16
YES, punctuation is important to avoid misunderstanding
Take these two sentences for example:

“The ultimate guide for summertime fun: grilling kids and family”
Or
“The ultimate guide for summertime fun: grilling, kids, and family.”

That’s right!
The only thing standing between you and cannibalism is a handful of commas.
Small but important mistakes don’t catch your eye during a first or second draft. Nobody’s perfect!
That’s why it’s crucial to get multiple rounds of feedback on a document before it’s released.

Editing and proofreading are important stages of the writing process.

17
List of figures
Figure 1 Medicine Instructions (Heath 2020)
Figure 2 Interesting Warning (Heath 2020)
Figure 3 Wearing your helmet (Heath 2020)
Figure 4 Right is left (Heath 2020)
Figure 5 Going nowhere (Heath 2020)
Figure 6 Notice the notice (Heath 2020)
Figure 7 Everything is forbidden (Heath 2020)
Figure 8 Precaution (Heath 2020)
Figure 9 Face mask issue (Martinez 2021)
Figure 10 Racism (deMilked n.d.)
Figure 11 End children (deMilked n.d.)
Figure 12 Environmental message (deMilked n.d.)
Figure 13 No blood donation (deMilked n.d.)
Figure 14 Smoking first (deMilked n.d.)

18
References
Dozuki n.d., 5 Technical Writing mistakes to avoid, digital images, viewed 23 March 2021,
<https://www.dozuki.com/blog/2017/10/10/5-technical-writing-mistakes-to-avoid>.

deMilked n.d., 40 Times People Were Confused By Hilarious Poorly Designed Signs, digital image,
viewed 19 July 2022, <https://www.demilked.com/funny-confusing-signs/>.

Heath, 2020, 20 funniest (and most confusing) examples of everyday documentation,digital


images, viewed 6 September 2020,
<https://www.knowledgeowl.com/home/everyday-documentation>.

Martinez, K 2021, 15 frustrating signs that make me want to knock them over, BuzzFeed, digital
images, viewed 19 July 2022, <https://www.buzzfeed.com/kellymartinez/poorly-thought-out-signs>.

19

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