1. Technical Instructions
ENGL 3100
Dr. Shelley Thomas

2. Overview General Requirements Task Analysis Technical Instructions
We’ll start them in class
Technical Instructions
Because of the graphic-intensive nature of this assignment, I must have a hard copy

3. General Requirements
Select a topic that has at least 3 to 5 sets of steps
Document a technical procedure for an identifiable group that would want or need detailed instructions
Use only original text for this assignment

4. General Requirements (con’t)
All of these documents are due with the final product:
A brief cover memo introducing the project and its components (at least 1 page)
The task analysis
The final, printed set of instructions

5. Task Analysis
Provides a detailed outline from which to develop the document
Clearly states the goal for each step
Provides the start state and end state for each step
Start state – the conditions that need to exist before the step is performed
End state – the outcome of the step

6. Task Analysis (con’t) Graphics
Insert placeholders for appropriate graphics
Gives an indication where graphics will be needed

7. Example Task Analysis Topic: Checking email in Hotmail
Audience/User: New Hotmail account holders
Scope: Checking (only)
Materials: Computer with internet connection and Internet Explorer or Firefox

8. Example Task Analysis (con’t)
Goal of Step 1 (Open Browser)
User needs to access the Hotmail homepage
Start State
User has access to a running computer with an internet connection
End State
User has successfully accessed the Hotmail home page
Graphics
Screenshot of the Address line and screen shot of the Hotmail homepage

9. Example Task Analysis (con’t)
Goal of Step 2 (Sign in)
Successfully sign in to Hotmail
Start State
User has the Hotmail home page up
End State
User has successfully signed in to her hotmail account
Graphics
Screenshot (close-up or callout) of sign in

10. Example Task Analysis
Repeat the Goal, Start State, End State, and Graphics for each step within the task

11. Example Step Step 2: Sign in to Hotmail.
Figure 1: Sign in Screen
Type your Windows Live ID (see Figure 1: Sign in Screen)
Type your password (see Figure 1: Sign in Screen)
Press “Enter” or click the Sign in button to access your account
NOTE: Passwords are case sensitive. JSmith is not the same as jsmith

12. Format for Instructions
Clear introduction (see Markel )
Presented step-by-step
Numbered
Sufficient detail
Imperative mood
Appropriate graphics
Conclusion (see Markel 508)