Writing assignment 6

Writing assignment 6: Rewriting your instructions (will replace grade 4).

Rewrite and recode your instructions, observing the following principles:

Note: Pay special attention to YSG chapter 7 on writing user interface text and chapter 11 on capitalization)

Begin with a title (use title case).
After the title, add an explanatory paragraph or two that contains an overview of the instructions and their purpose and audience. If the instructions assume knowledge or possession of a certain skillset or software package, explain that too.
Group instructions into steps of no more than five. Use subheadings (sentence case or "down style"). Number all steps,and do not number anything that isn't a step.
Use consistent language for menu items, buttons, text boxes, radio text, etc. Example: use "choose" for menu items, "select" for radio items, and "type" or "type in" for text boxes.
Use the imperative mood for all steps. Make bulleted or numbered items parallel.
Be consistent about punctuating styles.
When you have made an illustration that illustrates your step, clearly label that illustration and refer to it in your step (example: See figure 1: Setting up a free site).
Avoid passive voice and expletive constructions.
Because these instructions will look funny in Internet Explorer, add an explanation about which browsers work best (choose browsers that can read figures/ captions).
Make sure that a step,not an image, ends the instructions.

Create a container div to control the width of your page (see styling, below).
Each group of instructions should be in its own div, and each div should have its own unique id.
You should use "figure" and "figcaption" to label illustrations. (These won't work unless they are contained inside divs).
For illustrations, use alt text to clearly label each image. Use the "width" property to make sure your images have a consistent width and don't fill up too much of the page.

Make your container no more than 80% of the page or give it a fixed width of no more than 900px.
Each div should be the same width.
Float images next to the instructions they illustrate.
Make sure images have borders.
Center figure captions under pictures.
Create "span" styles (classes) for buttons, menu items, text entry, windows, and notes so readers will be able to tell the difference.

When labeling screen shots, make sure your arrows have a consistent look and color. Choose fonts that will contrast with the fonts on the screen shot.