Deck 12: Instructions, Procedures, and Manuals

Question 1

To motivate people to carry out difficult and time-consuming procedures you should explain to them ________.

A) the underlying concepts
B) why the procedure is necessary
C) the personal rewards and incentives for doing so
D) that it's not as hard as it looks

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The question "What quick test will let the user know that the procedure has been followed correctly?" should be answered in which section of a procedure?

A) introduction
B) step-by-step instructions
C) conclusion/troubleshooting
D) Q&A

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The question "When or under what circumstances should the procedure be followed and by whom?" should be answered in which section of a procedure?

A) context
B) introduction
C) step-by-step instructions
D) Q&A

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Notes, cautions, warnings, and danger alerts that apply to individual steps should be placed in which section of a procedure?

A) introduction
B) context
C) step-by-step instructions
D) conclusion/troubleshooting

Question 5

In which section of a procedure should information on general cautions that apply to the entire procedure be placed?

A) introduction
B) conclusion
C) step-by-step instructions
D) margin notes

Question 6

When citing a time required to perform a procedure, you should estimate ________.

A) the same amount of time that you take
B) two to three times as long as you take
C) four to five times as long as you take
D) half the time you take

Question 7

If you need to caution readers against over-tightening a bolt in step 17 you should place a caution ________.

A) just before step 17
B) just after step 17
C) in the introduction
D) in the margin notes

Question 8

In long and complex procedures, the introduction should NOT contain ________.

A) contextual information
B) typographic conventions
C) tools and materials list
D) troubleshooting tips

Question 9

In the textbook example, which of the following is the correct typographic convention for commands and keyboard keys?

A) Copy, Paste, Save As, Return
B) Copy, Paste, Save As, Return
C) [Copy], [Paste], [Save As], [Return]
D) "Copy," "Paste," "Save As," "Return"

Question 10

In the textbook example, which of the following is the correct typographic convention for menu selection sequences?

A) [Start] > [Programs] > [Adobe] > [Adobe Photoshop CS]
B) Start > Programs > Adobe > Adobe Photoshop CS
C) 1) Start, 2) Programs, 3) Adobe, 4) Adobe Photoshop CS
D) Start $\rightarrow$ Programs $\rightarrow$ Adobe $\rightarrow$ Adobe Photoshop CS

Question 11

In the textbook example, which of the following is the correct typographic convention for dialog windows?

A) New File Dialog Window
B) "New File Dialog Window"
C)
D) [New File Dialog Window]

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a rule for writing instructions?

A) Include graphics whenever possible.
B) Number all steps.
C) Do not use adverbs.
D) Do not double-up on steps.

Question 13

The only place within instructions that provides an explanation for specific actions is the ________.

A) introduction
B) conclusion
C) margin notes
D) notes, cautions, warnings

Question 14

Every step should begin with a verb in the ________ mood.

A) indicative
B) infinitive
C) imperative
D) subjunctive

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true about the conclusions for procedures?

A) They are not always required.
B) They may contain a single maintenance tip.
C) They may contain a troubleshooter's checklist.
D) They should contain any notes, cautions, or warnings that have not yet been mentioned.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT true about graphics used with instructions?

A) They are cheap and easy to use.
B) They are often easier to process than words.
C) They can be used on their own, without text.
D) They should always include a caption.

Question 17

Notes, cautions, warnings, and danger alerts relevant to specific steps should be placed ________.

A) in the introduction
B) immediately before the steps to which they apply
C) immediately after the steps to which they apply
D) in the margin notes

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a type of special note employed in the text?

A) caution
B) danger
C) hazard
D) note

Question 19

In a procedure employing four levels of special notes, which of the following is the most appropriate way to format a warning note?

A) Warning: Put on safety goggles and a breathing mask before removing the battery caps.
B) Warning: Put on safety goggles and a breathing mask before removing the battery caps.
C) WARNING: PUT ON SAFETY GOGGLES AND A BREATHING MASK BEFORE REMOVING THE BATTERY CAPS.
D) WARNING!!!! PUT ON SAFETY GOGGLES AND A BREATHING MASK BEFORE REMOVING THE BATTERY CAPS!!!!

Question 20

________ provide information that prevents the instructions from failing and prevents damage to the equipment.

A) Danger alerts
B) Cautions
C) Warnings
D) Hazards

Question 21

In a procedure with a lot of notes incorporated into the action steps, it's a good idea to differentiate notes from the action steps by ________.

A) bolding the action step
B) placing the action step in all caps
C) putting the note in brackets
D) giving the note a smaller font

Question 22

Which of the following is the most effective title for instructions?

A) Changing the Size or Resolution of Internet Graphics for Print Resolution
B) What to do if you want to change the size or resolution of internet graphics for print resolution
C) How to Change the Size or Resolution of Internet Graphics for Print Resolution
D) Changing Internet Graphics: A How-To

Question 23

The best person to test for usability is ________.

A) an expert who understands the subject matter very well
B) a colleague who understands your project, but didn't help you work on it directly
C) someone with a similar knowledge background as the intended reader
D) someone with slightly less knowledge than the intended reader

Question 24

The most common problem with instructions is that the writer ________.

A) fails to provide adequate context and background info
B) fails to provide adequate or clear safety warnings
C) provides too much unnecessary detail
D) assumes the readers have more knowledge than they actually do

Question 25

The first step in writing a manual is to ________.

A) write out the procedure
B) write out the introduction
C) perform a task analysis
D) determine the sequence

Question 26

An effective set of instructions is written for all audiences, regardless of technical background.

Question 27

Procedures should be organized chronologically.

Question 28

Tools and materials should always be split into two separate lists under separate headings.

Question 29

You should always cite a time required, no matter how short the procedure is.

Question 30

Adverbs such as "calmly" and "slowly" are unnecessary and create wordiness.

Question 31

People rarely read the entire set of instructions before attempting to perform the task.

Question 32

You should never double-up on steps.

Question 33

Steps should be numbered consecutively for a single task, even if they are divided into sections.

Question 34

Graphics are effective because they are universally understood.

Question 35

Cautions alert the reader to potential harm to the user, very likely harm, or risk of death.

Question 36

You can always rely on peoples' common sense to follow instructions properly.

Question 37

Troubleshooting notes often come in the form of a table.

Question 38

Explanations for why something should be done a certain way are never included in a procedure.

Question 39

Warnings advise against potential harm to the user.

Question 40

"If-then" constructions should be avoided when writing instructions.

Question 41

What sections does a procedure contain? Briefly describe the contents of each.

Question 42

What information is included in the introduction section of a procedure?

Question 43

Which principles must be followed in the step-by-step instructions section of a procedure?

Question 44

What should the conclusion section of a procedure contain?

Question 45

What is the "cardinal rule of instruction writing" and why is it important?

Question 46

What should you do in situations where components might be difficult for the user to find?

Question 47

Describe the role of graphics in procedures.

Question 48

List each special note in order of seriousness and briefly describe its purpose.

Question 49

Describe the process of planning and testing for usability.

Question 50

What are the steps for writing a manual?

Question 51

Discuss the drawbacks of providing too much information compared to too little in a procedure. Which is worse? Explain your reasoning.

Question 52

What is the most common problem with instructions? Why does this problem occur and how can this problem be avoided?

Question 53

Why are explanations for actions important? If they are important, why not include more of them?