Fast Five Guidelines:

1. Use numbered lists and bullet points.
2. Use complete sentences.
3. Do not use the word, please.
4. Only state the best way to complete the task without alternatives.
5. List as few steps as possible to complete the task.

Top Ten Guidelines for How to Make OneStop Instructions Easier to Read:

1. Make sentences a command.

• Good: Copy the file that contains the table.
• Bad: You need the password. Go into the keychain.

2. State the purpose of the task before how to do the task.

• Good: To start a new document, click File > New > Document.
• Bad: Click File > New > Document to start a new document.

3. Give the reader the information they need for the task ahead of time.

Good: The following hardware and software are required.

Bad: Run the installation. When asked for the code, go to the text file.

4. Write in the order that the reader needs to follow.

• Good: In Microsoft Word, click File > New > Document.
• Bad: Click File > New > Document in Word.

5. Use consistent verb form.

• Good: Download the print driver. Click More, and then click Download.
• Bad: It can be downloaded by clicking More and then clicking Download file.

6. Do not use directional language such as above, below, or bottom left-hand corner.

• Good: Click Menu.  Or: In the preceding diagram.
• Bad: Click the button with three lines. Or: In the picture above.

7. If the user must press Enter after a step, include that instruction as part of the step.

• Good: Click the search box, type headers, and then press Enter.
• Bad: 1) Click the search box and type headers.  2) Press Enter.

8. For an optional step, type “Optional:” as the first word without parentheses.

• Good: Optional: Enter a PIN code.
• Bad: (Optional) Enter a PIN code.

9. Do not include keyboard shortcuts.

• Good: Copy the command, and then paste it.
• Bad: Press Ctrl+C, and then press Ctrl+V.

10. Focus on what the command prompt does without using “run the following command.”

• Good: In Terminal, deploy iOS installation.
• Bad: In Terminal, deploy the installer by running the following command.

Please contact Debbie Dramstad, Web Accessibility, and Applications Specialist, for more information.