Procedural writing.
WHAT MAKES INSTRUCTIONS FAIL
Steps out of order Assumed knowledge Several actions in one step No indication of success Missing prerequisites
WHAT TO STATE FIRST
What this achieves What is needed before starting How long it takes
WHY PREREQUISITES FIRST
Discovering a missing requirement at step seven wastes everything.
WHAT EACH STEP SHOULD CONTAIN
One action.
WHAT TO ADD
What the reader should see afterwards.
WHY
It lets them confirm without asking.
WHAT TO NUMBER
Steps performed in sequence.
WHAT TO USE INSTEAD FOR OPTIONS
A list, clearly marked as choices.
WHAT TO INCLUDE FOR ANYTHING THAT CAN FAIL
What to do if it does.
WHY
It prevents the question and the stall.
WHAT TO AVOID
Describing the interface rather than the task
Vague verbs: handle, manage, deal with
Passive construction
WHAT TO USE
Direct instructions: click, enter, select.
WHAT TO TEST
Someone unfamiliar following them, without help.
WHY
It exposes every assumption.
WHAT TO WATCH
Where they hesitate.
WHAT TO DO
Fix that step.
WHAT TO KEEP CURRENT
The instructions, when the thing changes.
