Use the following checklists to review another group's instruction manual. Be sure to use all sections of the checklist, and finish your memo adressed to them and me with some kind of overall statement about their manual and suggestions for improvement.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Does the Introduction to the set of instructions
- state the purpose of the task?
- describe safety measures or other concerns that the readers should understand?
- list necessary tools and materials?
2. Are the step-by-setp instructions
- numbered?
- expressed in the imperative mood?
- simple and direct?
3. Are appropriate graphics included?
4. Does the conclusion
- include any necessary follow-up advice?
- include, if appropriate, a troubleshooter's guide?
Manuals
1. Does the manual include, if appropriate, a cover?
2. Does the title page provide all the necessary information to help readers understand whether they are reading the appropriate manual?
3. Is the table of contents clear and explicit? Are the items phrased to indicate clearly the task that readers are to carry out?
4. Does the other front matter clearly indicate
- the product, procedure, or system the manual describes?
- the purpose of the manual?
- the major components of the manual?
- the best way to use the manual?
5. Is the body of the manual organized clearly?
6. Are appropriate graphics included?
7. Is a glossary included, if appropriate?
8. Is the index included, if appropriate?
9. Are all other appropriate appendix items included?
10. Is the writing style clear and simple throughout the manual?
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G. Oral Presentation Guidelines
The goal of the oral presentation is for you, the creators/designers of an instruction manual, to explain why you chose the format for your manual. Every step of the designing process should have been planned by using the guidelines and suggestions from this Web site and from in-class discussions.
Your presentation must
- integrate all group members,
- fill six to eight minutes
- utilize two visual aids, and
- demonstrate the rationale behind your design intentions.
Part A: Reader Profile
You must explain who the reader is for this instruction manual. Use the audience analysis profile questions as your guide. Tell us as much as you can about the people who will be using your manual, how they will use it, and where they will use it.
Part B: Text and Graphic(s) Integration
Using what you learned from the integration of graphics and text sections, explain at least the following items:
- paper weight and size
- graphics placement
- text placement
- warnings; why and how you use them
- margins
- headers and footers
- binding
- other elements of design
Part C: Sell the Manual
Building off of Part A and B, tell us why we would want to buy and use the manual you have designed. What makes it better than others like it? If there is nothing else like it, why is it needed? What makes it unique? In other words, sell the manual. Treat us as though we are consumers shopping for directions and information.
Guidelines for Visual Aids:
Your two visual aids can be done with any type of material you have on hand. Most commonly used items are poster boards, transparencies, the chalkboard, and flip charts, but feel free to experiment. Your manual should be passed around the room, but does not count as a visual aid. Your visual aids shoudl represent some of the following types of information:
- A page from your manual showing the text and graphics boxes. You can use this visual aid to demonstrate Part B.
- A graph or chart summarizing the reader profile information from Part A.
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Your manual will be graded according to the following criteria:
- Your idea must original.
- Your manual must be professional-looking, including text, graphics, and binding.
- Your manual must demonstrate that you have followed the guidelines for creating manuals that we have discussed in class and that you have read about on this Web site.
- Every memeber of your group must have participated in the creation and presentation of the manual.
- Be sure to check out the peer review section on this page before your make your final draft. It will help you in case you forgot to include an element in your manual.
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topics / audience analysis / design basics /
page design / integrating graphics
