Overview
Incomplete User Documents disappoint your Readers. Two attitudes of many Technical Writers result in incomplete User Documents. These two attitudes are:
. “Everyone Knows That”, and
. “The User Can Figure It Out”
This article describes these attitudes and presents methods for overcoming them. The result is more effective User Documents and more satisfied Users.
1. “Everyone Knows That”
The “Everyone Knows That” attitude makes assumptions about your Reader’s knowledge. These assumptions cause your Reader grief.
Here’s an example of a possible “Everyone Knows That.” Do you know this:
Tomatoes. Most of us keep them in a refrigerator. However, storing them in a refrigerator will ruin the taste and nutrition of tomatoes. Tomatoes should be stored on a kitchen counter at room temperature, until they are cut. Once cut, tomatoes should then be stored in the refrigerator.
Does everyone know that? What do you assume that everyone knows about your product?
Sometimes your User Documents have to overcome previous User experience. Everyone...