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W RITING E FFECTIVE I NSTRUCTIONS

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AUDIENCE AND PURPOSE novice: first-time user experienced: has performed a similar task Instructions help the reader perform a task.

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WHAT AUDIENCES WANT TO KNOW Why am I doing this? How do I do it? What material or equipment do I need? Where do I begin? What do I do next? What could go wrong?

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EFFECTIVE AND EXCELLENT INSTRUCTIONS Clear and limiting title Informed content Visuals Appropriate level of detail and technicality Logically ordered steps Notes and hazard notices Readability Effective design

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NOTICES note clarifies a point, emphasizes vital information, or describes options or alternatives caution prevents possible mistakes that could result in injury or equipment damage warning alerts users to potential hazards to life or limb danger identifies an immediate hazard to life or limb

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LEGAL ISSUES Courts have ruled that a writing defect in product support literature carries the same type of liability as a design or manufacturing defect in the product itself. (Lannon 487, from Girill Technical Communication and the Law 37) failure to instruct and caution users in the proper use of a product failure to warn against hazards from proper use failure to warn against the possible misuses failure to explain a products benefits and risks in language that average consumers can understand failure to convey the extent of risk with forceful language failure to display warnings prominently

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