Computer Science Writing Assignment #2 -- Set of instructions for a website (with description of the application of personas)

Writing Assignment #2

Set of Instructions for a Local Website and

Description of Accommodating Your Personas

Summary of the Assignment:

• Task: In this assignment, you will write a set of instructions that explain how to

accomplish a task on a website at a local institution. You will also write a brief

description of how the personas that you wrote for writing assignment #1 informed this

assignment.

• Length: There is no minimum or maximum word count on the set of instructions.

However, your instructions must have 8 or more steps. More information on the number

of steps is provided below.

• Graphics: You must include at least one graphic for each step.

o At least 8 graphics should be integrated into your set of instructions.

o All graphics should be screen captures of the website you are demonstrating.

o All graphics should be labeled.

• Incorporating the personas into this assignment: You will write a description of 100

to 200 words indicating to the instructor how your instructions accommodate the

personas you wrote in writing assignment #1.

For this assignment, it is acceptable to write a set of instructions on how to accomplish a

task on a mobile device. An example of this approach would be a set of instructions on

how to download an app to borrow library books from your local library.

Brief Description and Strategies to Follow:

Please keep in mind the following principles when writing this assignment:

• You must provide instructions on how to accomplish a task on a website. The website

should be for a regional or local organization or company in your area. For

example, you could write about how to order a pizza from a local pizza shop in your

town. You could write about how to purchase an item from a local shop in your area (not

from Amazon).

• The organization or company can be national. However, the set of instructions you write

must involve a local or regional location for that national organization. For example, you

can write about how to arrange a rental tool online at Home Depot, provided that you are

arranging the rental at a local Home Depot location.

• If you have questions about whether your topic will work, please contact your instructor

for approval or for suggestions on the topic.

• Whether you choose a local establishment or a national organization with regional

locations, the important features of your set of instructions will be that they are written to

a general audience but also accommodate the specific personas that you wrote for writing

assignment #1.

Some examples of topics are the following. (Keep in mind that you may select your own

topic. These are just examples to help you consider various topics.)

o how to check your balance in your checking account online at your local bank or

credit union

o how to find and borrow a book on your local public library’s website

o how to order a chabchae dish from the local Korean restaurant in your area

o how to locate a product on your local Craigslist site and contact the seller to

arrange for purchase and pickup

o how to order a large pizza online from a local pizzeria in your neighborhood

o how to pay a fee on the website for the Motor Vehicle Association in Maryland

(or the equivalent for your state)

• You must have at least 8 steps.

• Each step is to be numbered and is to begin with an imperative verb, as the resources in

the class indicate.

• Every step will include a picture or graphic to help the reader follow the instructions.

Sections to Include in Your Set of Instructions:

The set of instructions will include the following sections:

• Title

• Overview or Introduction with background information about why a user would want to

accomplish the task you are describing.

• Instructions

o number all of the main steps, as the resources for the class indicate

o provide a graphic for steps of the instructions

▪ all graphics will be screen captures of the website.

▪ all graphics should be labeled

• A description of how the instructions accommodate the personas. Remember, each one

of your personas had at least one pain point or one unique situation that needs

attention in your set of instructions. Your instructions for this assignment will

accommodate each persona’s pain points or unique situation. It is in this section of the

assignment that you describe how you accommodated them.

Helpful Guides and Resources:

• Chapter 10 from Tebeaux and Dragga, which is available in the e-reserves section of the

class, is a helpful document to review as you begin this assignment.

• The Tech Writing Handbook by Dozuki, which is one of the resources listed in our class,

has an appendix that provides tips in writing instructions and incorporating graphics into

instructions.

• The Mayfield Handbook, which is also one of the resources listed in our class, features

excellent tips on writing instructions.

o Section 2.8.3 of the handbook, Instructions and Procedures, will be particularly

helpful.

• Two sample sets of instructions are provided in our class in LEO.

Due Date: Your instructor will notify you of the due date. You will write a first draft, your instructor will

comment on the first draft, and you will submit a second draft using the comments as your guide.