1. Writing Instructions
From Online Technical Writing: Task Analysis and Task-Oriented Documentation, Nov 2006
Technical Communication, DAHMEN

2. Goals for Writing Instructions
Clear, simple writing
A thorough understanding the procedure in all its technical detail
Your ability to put yourself in the place of the reader, the person trying to use your instructions
Your ability to visualize the procedure in great detail and to capture that awareness on paper
Finally, your willingness to go that extra distance and test your instructions on the kind of person you wrote them for.

3. Steps in the Process Assess audience and situation
Define the procedure and related tasks
Establish phases as needed
Consider a task or tools approach
Include introductory discussion

5. From Online Technical Writing: Task Analysis and Task-Oriented Documentation, 14 Nov 2006

6. From Online Technical Writing: Task Analysis and Task-Oriented Documentation, 14 Nov 2006

7. Goals for Writing Instructions
Indicate the specific tasks or procedure to be explained as well as the scope of coverage (what won't be covered).
Indicate what the audience needs in terms of knowledge and background to understand the instructions.
Give a general idea of the procedure and what it accomplishes.
Indicate the conditions when these instructions should (or should not) be used.
Give an overview of the contents of the instructions.

8. Additional Sections General warning, caution, danger notices.
Technical background or theory
Equipment and supplies.
Discussion of the steps.

9. Ways to Describe Steps Fixed-order steps Variable-order steps
Alternate steps
Nested steps
"Stepless" instructions.

10. Writing Instructions, How NOT to write
“The Pause button should be pressed in order to stop the display temporarily”
“The Timer button is then set to 3:00”
“The user should then press the Pause button."
“Press Pause button on front panel to stop display of information temporarily”

11. More on how NOT to Write
The papers will be graded according to the criteria stated in the syllabus.
The results will be announced when the situation is judged appropriate.
After the arm of the hand-held stapler is pushed down, the blade from the magazine is raised by the top-leaf spring, and the magazine and base

12. Formatting Instructions
Headings
Lists
Special Notices
Numbers, abbreviations, symbols

13. Checklist for Instructions, part 1
Make sure you provide real instructions—explanations of how to build, operate, or repair something.
Write a good introduction—in it, indicate the exact procedure to be explained and provide an overview of contents.
Make sure that you use the various types of lists wherever appropriate. In particular, use numbered vertical lists for sequential steps.
Use headings to mark off all the main sections and subheadings for subsections. (Remember that no heading "Introduction" is needed between the title and the first paragraph. Remember not to use first-level headings in this assignment; start with the second level.)

14. Checklist for Instructions, Part 2
Use special notices as appropriate.
Make sure you use the class style and format for all headings, lists, special notices, and graphics. If that's a problem, get in touch with your instructor.
Use graphics to illustrate any key actions or objects.
Provide additional supplementary explanation of the steps as necessary.
Remember to create a section listing equipment and supplies, if necessary.
Include strong sections of definition, description, or both, as necessary, using the guidelines on content, organization, and format in the chapters on definition and description

15. Web Resources
Needs Assessment Matrix:
Task Analysis Assessment:
Task Analysis for Mining
Task Analysis for Instructional Design

16. Final Project
The situation: Your group has realized there is quite a lot of confusion about how to prepare for l'aid el kebir. For this project, you need to identify the audience you wish address for your communication product, decide what needs they will have, and present a thorough task/job analysis of the situation. Then your group will need to decide on the most appropriate media for this communication product and write complete instructions. You also need to define who you are 'working for' (i.e. who will support this project and pay for it and why).
(you may develop a different project idea)

17. Step 1: Audience Analysis
Use an audience analysis worksheet (either from our book or from the web) to help identify and clarify your audience, perhaps you will have both a primary and secondary audience. You will also need to identify what methods you will use to find out more about your target audience’s needs. Can you identify Subject Matter Experts or ‘Master Performers’?

18. Step 2: Job & Task Analysis
After you have clarified your audience, use the resources we have seen to identify the needs this group will have and clarify what tasks they will need to do. What information will you need to obtain, and what assumptions will you need to make about their knowledge? What information will it include/not include? Where can you go to observe the needed tasks?

19. Step 3: Defining the TCP
You need to decide on the approach you will take, making decisions such as:
Format of TCP (Technical Communication Product)
Identify which of the three 'types' it belongs to (end user, internal, oral)
Cultural/societal factors
Level of language
Media
Economic considerations
Etc...

20. Step 4: Drafting a Proposal
You need to draft a proposal (in formal form) to submit covering each of these points and laying out a plan for how your team will go about achieving its goal. Add appendices as needed. (See P in CGTC)

21. Step 5: Research and Observation
Do the necessary primary research to collect the sufficient data needed for your TCP

22. Step 6: Writing Instructions/Designing the TCP
These two steps will go hand in hand.
How you write instructions will effect the format of the TCP and vice versa
Consult for more information about writing instructions

23. Step 7: Usability Testing
You must provide the guide to potential audience members for review/trial to test the Usability, Relevence and Accessiblity of your TCP

24. Step 8: Revise TCP
Make any necessary revisions to your TCP

25. Step 9: The End Write formal report to summarize findings Finalize TCP
Be prepared to present your project to the class