Humanities Homework Help

English 208: Usability Test Form (Set of Instructions) Technical Communication, 12th ed., Mike Markel and Stuart A. Selber (abbreviated TC) ISBN:9781319058616

Team number:

Evaluator’s name:

1. Read the entire set of instructions. What are the instructions for? Ask yourself all of the questions in the Guidelines box on page 566 of TC, “Drafting Introductions for Instructions.” Are you satisfied with your answer to them? Why or why not? For example, is it clear who should carry out the task? Are there issues the writers might consider but haven’t? What advice about these “big-picture” elements of the instructions can you offer to your peers?

1. Examine the content of the document using the Guidelines box on pages 567-68 of TC. Are the directions presented in a logical order, for instance? Are they numbered? Is the right amount of information presented in each step? Is the imperative mood used? Are step and feedback statements confused? Are articles omitted to save space? What advice about these content elements of the instructions can you offer to your peers?

1. Focus on the graphics and/or screenshots used, if any. Are graphics or screenshots used? If not, are there places in the instructions where they might be included? If graphics/screenshots are used, are they appropriate? Are they easy to see? If the graphics are not appropriate, why? What would an appropriate graphic be? Can you offer advice to the writer about these or other graphic elements of the instructions?
2. Look in the instructions for navigational aids. Are graphics referred to in the text of the instructions before they are shown? Are graphics labeled? Are users able to return to the beginning of the document if it’s longer than one page? Do you have suggestions for your peer to improve this aspect of the document?

1. Focus on the design elements. Does the overall design of the document match up with what you have learned about design principles in Chapter 11 of TC? For instance, does the document conform to the principles of proximity, alignment, repetition, and contrast discussed on page 250 of TC? Are its use of navigational aids, layout, use of white space, typography, titles and headings, and paragraphs presented appropriately? What advice about these design elements of the instructions can you offer to your peers?

Final Thoughts: Are there any additional suggestions you might offer the writers about their set of instructions at this point? For instance, in following the instructions, are you able to complete the process successfully, if possible?