English 421Y: Technical Writing Online

As you look at both sets of instructions, each are very similar. The novice is in a larger page 8.5 x 11 in. due to I needed more room as I wrote the instructions. I tried to make this so it would be different than just writing. I used large bubbles to capture the user’s attention for each step and to keep them from drifting to another step. I used arrows for a guide rather than numbers, I was thinking for a younger novice, this may be helpful.

Over this week’s readings, I found the information from the TCT and instructor’s blog to have useful tools for optimizing the usability for instructions.
For the usability test, I think I am going use survey testing. For this assignment I feel that it will be a more effective way to process information. I don’t know if there are many people who have rice cookers, so instead of people buying one, I want to have feed back to see if the user would have any trouble before starting the process and wasting time and money.

With my instructions I am using 7.5 x 10 paper for both my novice and experienced. For the novice i am trying to islolate the steps with boxes. Trying to make the appeance less intimidating. Using attrows to help guide the novice through the steps. For the Experienced I am having the instructions steps seperated by horizontal lines, and being easy to follow. Both documents are going to include photos to help guide the user through the steps.

From reading this weeks chapters and the instructor’s blog, I have learned some of the basics of how to effectively present information. With adding what we have learned form the previous course work we are becoming better writers. My thought process is changing with learning and refreshing material.

For my instructions project, the process will explain how to prepare and cook Jambalaya, a Cajun meal, step by step. I feel that I am experience at this particular food because I make it on a regular basis and everyone who eats it enjoys it more each time. The instructions are going to accommodate a novice and an experienced cook. By keeping the terminology simple with having pictures for a novice, a person just starting to cook, can follow. And with the experienced cook, one who is in the kitchen a lot, I will try to use terminology for them to relate with.

This week’s readings explain the important steps on writing instructions to your audiences. Rather your audience is a novice or experienced you want both reader to feel comfortable while reading and following instructions. You do not want the novice to feel like an idiot from not know terms nor irritating to the experienced. You have to write in terms that are “user centered”.

1) Is the overall length good or do I need less?

2) Are my examples easy to follow?

While applying to many companies, I have never produced a letter to send with my resume. There are not too many people I know who have written cover letters while applying for a job. The readings were very useful with providing information on creating a good cover letter to accompany your resume.