Assignment Overview
For your first project, you will research and write a set of technical instructions that convey information to perform a procedure.
Technical Instructions
As part of your professional work, you will most likely encounter workplace situations that require you to explain to others how to complete a complicated or unfamiliar technical procedure. For this assignment, you will document an actual technical procedure: you will plan, design, construct, and write a set of technical instructions for a targeted group of “real” users.
Your instruction project will include two components:
a cover memo to me
a set of instructions in an appropriate format
To complete this project successfully, you will need to meet the requirements for the set of instructions and the requirements for the cover memo. These requirements are outlined in the following sections.
NOTE: Remember, the technical instructions are worth 200 points, or 20% of your overall grade.
Requirements
Your instructions must meet the following requirements:
Select a procedure to document that can be broken into at least six major steps. Your instructions must document a technical procedure for which an identifiable group of users need or would expect detailed instructions.
Format the instructions as appropriate for the particular rhetorical situation and how they will be used: a booklet, printed report, extended memo, poster, pamphlet, web site, etc.
Use original work produced for this course assignment. Cite the sources for all visuals and external information used following either MLA or APA format.
Submit the following documents:
a brief cover memo to your instructor introducing the project and its components,
the final set of instructions
Cover Memo
The requirements for the cover memo for the Technical Instructions are as follows:
State the purpose of the memo.
Identify the instructions project you selected and why you selected the topic.
Analyze the rhetorical strategies you used to develop your instructions that were appropriate for the rhetorical situation (audience, purpose, and context). In your discussion, provide references to specific elements in your technical instructions (such as headings, visuals, sentence structure, etc.).
Discuss any obstacles you came up against while working on this project, and explain how you overcame them.
Format the memo in a Word file. Use standard memo identification lines at the top of the first page, and on subsequent pages include your name and a page number. (Do not manually enter; use the header or footer feature of Word).
Use descriptive headings to indicate the content of the major sections and to make sections easy to distinguish and locate.
The usual length of a cover memo for this class is 1 – 2 pages.
NOTE: Remember to include any instances where you break with traditional conventions in genre, protocol, etc. You will need to justify these choices to me before I can fairly grade the assignment.
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Usability Test Design for Technical Instructions on “Creating a 3D Printed Object”
Introduction
Hi everyone,
Thanks for taking the time to help us test the instructions for creating a 3D printed object! We want to ensure our instructions are as clear and user-friendly as possible, and your feedback is crucial in achieving that goal.
Here’s a quick rundown before we start:
– This test should take about 30 minutes.
– We really value your honest feedback.
– There’s no right or wrong way to answer; we’re interested in your true experience.
– If you have any questions during the test, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Thanks again for your help. Let’s dive in!
Test Overview
1. Introduction to the Instructions
– Please read the provided instructions for creating a 3D printed object.
– Note any initial thoughts or impressions.
2. Task Execution
– Follow the instructions to complete the 3D printing task.
– While working through the task, jot down any difficulties or confusing parts.
3. Feedback Questions
– After completing the task, answer some questions about your experience.
Technical Instructions Usability Test
Part 1: Initial Impressions
1. What are your first thoughts on the layout and design of the instructions?
2. Is the purpose of the instructions clear from the start?
3. Do you find the language used in the instructions easy to understand?
Part 2: Task Execution
1. Please follow the instructions to create the 3D printed object.
– Were there any steps that were difficult to follow?
– Did you encounter any issues or points of confusion during the process?
– How long did it take you to complete the task?
Part 3: Detailed Feedback
1. Clarity and Understanding
– Were the instructions clear and easy to understand?
– Were there any terms or concepts that you found confusing?
2. Layout and Design
– Did the visual layout (e.g., headings, bullet points, images) help in understanding the instructions?
– Were there any parts where you felt additional visuals or diagrams would have been helpful?
3. Overall Experience
– How satisfied are you with the overall experience of using these instructions?
– Do you have any suggestions for improving the clarity, design, or usability of the instructions?
Conclusion
Thanks for participating in this usability test. Your feedback is invaluable and will help us enhance our instructions for creating a 3D printed object. Please post your responses to the questions in the Technical Instructions Usability Test Discussion Forum.
Please add pictures to the instruction manual
