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One of our former students had the writing of instruction manuals as part of his professional duties. When asked for some professional guidance for writing or giving instructions he replied as follows:
“When writing an instruction manual you should consider your reader to be a 9 year old. Keep the language clear and simple - the language a 9 year old would understand...”
“Do not forget to mention any of the equipment that will be needed, however obvious you think it is.”
“Do not leave out any part of the process of the instruction, however obvious or trivial you think it is. “
“You must mention ALL the equipment and ALL of the process of the instruction, and give the instructions in SIMPLE, EASY TO UNDERSTAND language.”
“If you do these things then there is a good chance that your reader will be able to follow your instructions. Otherwise it is very likely that your reader will get confused. Then there is a very good chance that
they will get frustrated and angry - and complain!”
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