writing
ASSIGNMENT: Write a set of instructions on how to use a computer or other application. At least two screen captures or images must be incorporated into your text (you may add more if necessary). Please provide citations in a reference list documenting the screen captures you use. If you like, you can also include illustrations you create yourself in power point, cad, paint, with a digital camera etc. The use of text boxes and arrows may be necessary as well to label various components within an illustration. As usual, write in the clear and concise style characteristic of good technical writing and in a language and tone appropriate to your audience and purpose. TOPICS: You should pick something you are interested in in school, job, etc. you might illustrate how to complete a computer based application choose something that most students in our course probably dont know how to do such as:
1. Step-by-step instructions with visuals on anything related to school or career
2. Manipulating visuals in word
3. Creating diagrams/charts in word
4. Searching the online library databases.
6. Using other applications in word such as tables, inserting pictures, changing page layouts, how to rename files, how to create folders and file things in word, how to cut-andpaste text, etc.
7. How to create an APA citation from a webpage that you locate on the web.
8. How to make a pdf file using free software.
9. Creating a power point with visuals.
10. Using various Eagle Online applications posting to the discussion board, uploading to a drop box, finding your grade, etc.
11. Entering your preferred email in starport.
12. How to publish to the web using free web services, etc.
13. Using any other software-pick something students might want to know how to do.
14. Be sure to provide step-by-step instructions. Some important notes about this assignmentplease read carefully: You need to describe a procedure that you are familiar with. Again, I want you to look into your experience as a student or current job for ideas. Look for material that is actually needed so the document has a practical purpose. What I do not want is for you to prepare instructions for an activity that has been well documented. In the end, you should be able to cover the how to in such a way that your reader (a non-technical person) will be able to carry out the steps in a systematic way. Readability: Steps should be written in logical order using active voice. This process should allow the user the ability to complete each step after reading it one time. Use headings as appropriate & in LOGICAL ORDER. Use bold, italics, font sizes as appropriate and in a consistent manner. Be generous with margins & allow white space for visuals. These instructions can be used to help in your current job or in an anticipated job. Keep in mind that this assignment could be a sample of creating what you can do and could be used in a job portfolio in the future. Your assignment should have the following elements: Introduction/overview. Theory or principles of operationhow does it work? List of equipment and materials needed Necessary prior knowledge and/or skills of the user Major steps Hazard notices (preview hereactual notices are in the appropriate step with symbol) Cautionprevent possible mistakes Warningalert user to potential hazard Required steps (body of memo)–how-to instructionsin logical order use numbered steps–one instruction each with at the most two or three closely related instructions use familiar, direct language and avoid jargon be accurate NOTE: use visuals as appropriatemust have at least one NOTE: use hazard notices in steps where indicated Tips and troubleshooting procedures Glossary (definitions and terms) Conclusionclose your memo Suggestions for Responding Successfully Keep in mind the following eight tips for completing this assignment successfully:
1. Analyze your audience and purpose carefully. The assignment stipulates that you indicate your audience and purpose (in the introduction). This step is important in all technical communication, of course, but it is especially critical in instructional writing, for only if you come to a clear understanding of who you are writing to and what you want to accomplish can you write an effective set of instructions. Therefore, indicate explicitly and specifically on your assignment your audience and purpose. For example, “My audience is adults who are considering buying their first pair of rollerblades. My purpose is to help them understand how to choose the right kind of rollerblades for their intended purpose.”
2. Choose a topic you understand well. This assignment is not a good occasion to learn about a topic you’ve always wanted to understand. Select a topic that you are at least fairly knowledgeable about, either from a personal hobby, course work at school, or a job. You don’t have to know everything about it, of course, but you do not want to have to spend a good deal of time learning the basics of the subject. Naturally, you can do secondary and primary research. Remember, you can find a lot of current information on the Web. If you use secondary sources to get information on the procedure or illustrations, document with a Works Cited list.
3. Focus on safety. Your first responsibility is to make sure your readers use the instructions safely. Doing so is not only an ethical obligation; it is also a legal obligation. The courts are scrutinizing instructions and awarding plaintiffs enormous sums of money if they can prove that the instructions are unclear or fail to warn the reader of hazards in assembling, using, or maintaining machines or other equipment. Our assignment excludes writing instructions on dangerous topics, but practically any task may involve some danger or hazard, so warn the user about it.
4. Choose a topic for which you can find or create effective graphics. The best place to find existing graphics is, of course, the Web, for you can download them easily. (Place the cursor over the graphic, then right click and save the graphic to your computer.) You can also find graphics for your topic in books and magazines. Remember that if you did not create the graphic, you must cite it. Remember that you must cite a source even if you have modified the original graphic substantially. Of course, you may also create your own graphics. Regardless of whether you find or create a graphic, please include it digitally; that is, download the file and include it in your document or scan the existing image and include the scanned image. 5. Study the chapter on document and page design. Before you begin assembling your instructions, study Chapters 14 and 15 on graphics and design. You want to submit instructions that are clear, easy to follow, and professional in appearance. One easy way to format most instructions is to use the table feature. Create a two-column table. Put the text in the left column; the graphic, in the right column. Make a new row for each step (or set of steps). Then, hide the grid lines. 6. Don’t list “system responses” as steps. A step is an action the reader is supposed to perform. A system response is a response made by the system to a step the reader has performed. For instance, a step is to press the Enter key. The system response is that a particular dialog box appears on the screen. To describe the system response, list it as a comment after the step, or show it in a graphic. 7. Check to see that your instructions are complete. Follow the guidelines in the text to make sure you have the three sections the reader will be looking for-the introduction, step-by-step instructions, and conclusion-and that each section fulfills its purpose in the instructions. 8. Do some informal usability testing. usability testing is the process of studying a person using the instructions to find out if they are easy to understand. Although you won’t have time to do formal usability testing with numerous people trying out your instructions, you can have one or two people try to carry out the process, talking to you as they go along about what th