Expert: Leslie - 2/22/2010

Question
I am taking a technical writing course at my college and we have a project coming up where I was hoping you could give me some ideas. I am suppose to find a process at school that needs a new set of instructions or needs an improved set of instructions. Can you give me some general ideas of something a school might need.

Answer
Lynn,

You will find places that need instructions everywhere....

If you have to ask a question on how something is done, then the process/procedure needs instructions.

Completing the registration forms, getting a discount on a book. going through the cafeteria line, buying something in a big box store, saving and printing a document, and flushing a toilet are all ordinary things that may need instruction.  Most of us live with assumptions that people just "know" how to do something. Set those assumptions aside. Think of being four years old.

Try to imagine someone coming from a place where the person never saw the device, store, plumbing, whatever. He or she would not know what to do. You can write instructions to help. Once you start seeing where people need help, then suddenly, you will see the need for instruction everywhere.

A good example that I recall came when I went to the Pacific Rim, (Hong Kong, Singapore, China). I did not know how to use their toilets which are called Turks. I had to stand and watch how other people used them to figure it out. I could have used some instructions.

Good luck on your project.

Leslie