Technical Writing Project–Instructional Design

This project requires that you write a self-contained set of instructions for a product, a feature of a product, or an activity for a specific audience. You can do this either individually or in a group.

Identify a Product or Activity
What product to write your instructions for? It’s your choice. It could be a cool gadget you just got, a piece of software, a computer game you’re teaching people to learn… Think about it this way: you’re writing a set of instructions that can be titled “How to…”

can be either individual or small group. You have two options for this project:

• Option 1–Find a project on your own.
• Option 2–Use the scenario provided below.

Important Notes:
Make sure this is a product or program or task for which no or little current instructions exist. DON’T PLAGIARIZE! You must obtain my verbal approval before you proceed.

Design Your Instructions
This is a summary of part of Chapter 23 in Lannon’s textbook, Technical Communication.

• Have a clear and limiting title.
• Provide an introduction that explains the rationale, purpose, and intended audience/users (when appropriate)
• Describe the necessary conditions/tools for performing a task.
• Warn audience of any possible risks and display your warnings prominently.
• Number the instructions if they are procedural, and use an unordered list if they’re not.
• Don’t skip any steps.
• Use language appropriate to the audience.
• Use action verbs and the imperative mood.
• Be task oriented rather than feature oriented.
• Use visuals whenever appropriate.
• Conclude on a persuasive note.

To Turn in
Save your file as “Instructions(YourName)” and email it to me at bgu@gsu.edu.