Analyzing Instructions Samples
Exchange with another class member the draft of the instructions you wrote. Read over the other student’s instructions draft carefully. Then answer the questions below about their set of instructions.
Email Your Critique to Dr. Pagnucci
After you finish critiquing the real world instructions, send your critique in an email message to Dr. Pagnucci. Use the format below for your email:
To: pagnucci@iup.edu AND email for author of instructions
From: your email address
Cc: your email address (always keep a copy of all your course emails!)
Subject: English 322 Critique: Draft of Student Written Instructions
Body of the Message:
Your Full Name:
The Name of the Author of the Instructions:
- Briefly describe the instructions.
- On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, rate the quality of the introductory material in these instructions. Explain your rating. Discuss the following as you explain your rating:
- Is the introductory statement clear?
- Does the introduction help define who the audience for the instructions is?
- Does the introduction explain the basic context for using the instructions?
- Is it clear when these instructions might be used and under what conditions?
- Is it clear what sort of equipment is needed for following these instructions?
- Are there any terms in the introduction that need to be defined further?
- On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, rate the quality of the steps to be followed to complete the instructions. Explain your rating. Discuss the following as you explain your rating:
- Can you understand the steps?
- Are the steps complete?
- Are any of the steps confusing in any way?
- Are there any terms in the steps that need to be defined further?
- Should any steps be added or deleted?
- Should any warnings be added to the instructions?
- On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, rate the quality of the concluding material in these instructions. Explain your rating. Discuss the following as you explain your rating:
- How can a user tell if they have successfully completed these instructions?
- Does the conclusion help the reader know they have been successful in performing the task?
- Could the formatting of the instructions be improved in any way? If so, please explain what the author can do to improve the formatting of the instructions.
- Are there any grammatical errors in the instructions? If so, please note these problems so the author can correct them.
- Are there any other ways that the instructions could be improved? If so, please explain.