As part of a Technical Writing class, I proposed to explore the technique of writing instructions. The correct instructions can turn a pile of wood into a beautiful desk or a lot of scattered ideas into a functional web page, such as  Dr. Walker’s instructions for creating a Web page.

The following tips can help insure that, when you find yourself required to give directions--whether for something technical or something as simple as driving directions--you will not go wrong. 

Remember your audience
When writing instructions, it is important to remember who your audience is. Don’t assume that the people reading the instructions know anything about what you’re talking about. This was a lesson well learned by my Technical Writing class. We were asked to write down instructions that would help next semester’s class get to Dr. Walker’s schedule of assignment’s page; then we were to test out these instructions on our neighbor. I just hope that the poor student who got my instructions already knew how to log onto the Internet and what the address bar was!

Consistency
Be consistent with your instructions. Make sure that if you call something a “watch a ma doodle” in the beginning you call it a “watch a ma doodle” through out the instructions. It makes it easier for readers to follow numbered or alphabetized instructions when the instructions have to be completed in chronological order, but be consistent when using numbers or the alphabet.

Diagrams and Illustrations
You can clear up a lot of questions by using diagrams and illustrations. This helps the reader by giving them a clear vision of what they are suppose to be doing looks like. These should be used whenever possible but make sure to include a title for the diagram or illustration to ensure that the reader knows what they are looking at.

Usability Testing
This exercise also taught me the importance of testing the instructions. It’s important that you as the author to practice the instructions you write, but it’s even more important that you get someone else with little to know experience on the subject to follow the instructions. It’s important that you don’t give them any oral information and make notes on places they seem to get hung up on or don’t quite understand. This will let you know if there are any weak points in your instruction

• Create a title that explains what the instructions are  "How to...."

• Use action verbs in the beginning   "Pick up, take, hold...."

• Use short clear sentences with words that are common.

• Avoid words with more than one meaning.

• Make sure to include any cautions, warnings, or dangers.

• Be Specific.