To: Nancy Myers

From: Treg Cox

Date: April/ 28/ 2022
Subject: APLED 121-Chapter 15 Summary-Outline

Chapter 15 summary
Why we write instructions

 Just about everything comes with instructions. Instruction manuals and user
manuals are common with letting people know how to do activities such as
trouble shoot software, set up a product, or manufacture a product.
Criteria for writing instructions

 Its important to write clear, concise instructions that could be followed by

people of varying levels of understanding. Unclear instructions are common.
 It is important to write instructions that are safe for people to follow. Writing
instructions that lead to injury can be malpractice. It is important to include up
to date information.
 It is important to include a title that gives your reader some insight into what
instructions are going to follow. You can also add visual aids such as a graphic.
 You should include clear hazard notations if steps are going to be hazardous.
These hazard notifications should include a graphic, text and icon.
 Your instructions should include a table of contents, introduction, glossary,
required tools section and instructional steps.
 Numbering you steps will help organize and simplify your instructions. You can
also add highlights to the texts such as italics or bolding. Your steps should be
concise and clear in regard to word selection and count.
 The steps should always start with a verb.
 Labeling components or system components requires an additional component
known as a technical description. A warranty is another type of technical
description.
 Companies try to increase profit by selling accessories, these require
descriptions. You may also need to provide additional information for these
accessories.
 Providing answers to frequently asked questions can save a company time.
 Providing the company’s contact information gives customers resources on
information on how to contact the company.
Graphics

 Providing graphics makes instructions clear and adds appeal. You must consider
your audience aswell when selecting a graphic.
Collaboration to create user manuals

 Writing instruction manuals often requires a team collaborative effort. The

instruction manuals are often long and complex.
Instructional videos

 Instructional videos add clarity with animated graphics. They are good for visual
learners. Instructional videos are also good as a alternative to written
instructions. The audience can also manipulate the video.
Standard Operating Procedure

 A SOP is “ a set of written instructions that documents routine or repetitive

technical or administrative followed by business and industry. “
 They contain title pages, table of contents, scope and applicability, definition of
terms, safety and warnings, interferences, equipment and supplies, procedures,
data and records management, and references.
Test for usability

 This is the method for testing a previously written SOP.

 Get a test audience. Ask the audience to test the instructions while you watch
them and time them. Finally, quantify the audiences response.