Start by determining who your audience is, what they are likely to know already and under what circumstances will they be using the Infoflip.
Some possible ways to organize information:
- From general to specific
- From specific to general
- From what the audience already knows to new information
- Step by step
- From most important to least important
Writing Guidelines:
Use plain words
| Instead of | Use |
|---|---|
| accomplish | do |
| ascertain | find out |
| disseminate | send out, distribute |
| endeavor | try |
| expedite | hasten, speed up |
| facilitate | make easier, help |
| formulate | work out, devise, form |
| in lieu of | instead of |
| locality | place |
| optimum | best, greatest, most |
| strategize | plan |
| utilize | use |
Cut out unnecessary words
| Instead of: | Use: |
|---|---|
| with regard to | about |
| by means of | by |
| in the event that | if |
| until such time | until |
| during such time | whle |
| in respect of | for |
| in view of the fact | because |
| on the part of | by |
| subsequent to | after |
| under the provisions of | under |
| with a view to | to |
| it would appear that | apparently |
| it is probable that | probably |
| notwithstanding the fact that | although |
| adequate number of | enough |
| excessive number of | number |
Use active sentences that start with verbs
- Instead of: It is recommended that trenches that are two metres or deeper have support. Use: Support trenches two metres or deeper.
- Instead of: The computer should be switched on.
Use: Switch on the computer. - Other Examples: Open the valve. Press the emergency button. Tell your supervisor.
Eliminate Redundancy
Example: Fill out an incident report (2).
Link to another page if the subject has already been covered.
Be Consistent
- In capitalization and punctuation for bullets and headings
- In abbreviations and spacing (e.g., 2m. / 2 metres / 2 m)
Use Lists
- Keep lists parallel.
- Use numbers instead of bullets only when describing step-by-step procedures.
- Watch order of list items; put notes and warnings at the start of the instructions, or before the list item to which they refer.
- If the list item is a full sentence, use appropriate punctuation.
Do a Test Run
- Before submitting your text, get feedback from people who are likely to use the Infoflip.