UX Writing Notes PDF
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Uploaded by WellRegardedCalcite
2022
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Summary
This document provides notes on UX writing principles, including conciseness, clarity, and consistency. It also covers techniques like the inverted pyramid and progressive disclosure. The notes cover different aspects of UX copy and include examples of what to use and avoid in different scenarios.
Full Transcript
UX Writing CS 194H | April 26, 2022 Basic Principles Building blocks of UX copywriting Be Concise As few words as possible without losing meaning Delineate what is necessary for the user to know (see: progressive disclosure) Avoid long blocks of text, make it parsable Only use punctuation when...
UX Writing CS 194H | April 26, 2022 Basic Principles Building blocks of UX copywriting Be Concise As few words as possible without losing meaning Delineate what is necessary for the user to know (see: progressive disclosure) Avoid long blocks of text, make it parsable Only use punctuation when necessary (helps with parsability) Write in the present tense, e.g. “video has been downloaded” vs. “video downloaded” Concise examples Be Clear Avoid double negatives, kind of an evil design pattern, e.g. “I do not want to unsubscribe” Avoid jargon (match between system and real world heuristic), use terms that your audience is likely familiar with Make it obvious what an interactive element does, e.g. buttons should be labeled with exactly what will happen upon click/tap Clarity Example Make It Useful Lead with the objective; users are trying to figure out how to achieve a goal (task), put the task at the forefront of the text that’s helping them, e.g. “Tap on an item to see its properties” (bad) vs. “To see an item’s properties, tap on it” (good) Show don’t tell; use visuals when appropriate Be Consistent Same tone, style, voice, and terminology throughout the product. Avoid using synonyms Maintain same perspective throughout (first person vs. second person) When possible, opt for words used universally in UX. Use numbers, e.g. “2” instead of “two” (in most cases) Use language consistent with the device, e.g. “tap” on mobile vs. “click” on web Additional Principles Extra improvements and techniques Inverted Pyramid Technique Progressive Disclosure Especially useful for mobile UI (less screen real estate); upfront information is just enough for baseline understanding with ability for users to explore and learn more. Key: delineate which information is central and which is peripheral. Brand/Product Tone F Pattern Most users scan a screen in an F-pattern. Use this to help prioritize text and create scannable hierarchy. Key UX Questions Does this copy help reduce user anxiety? Does this copy make sense to my users? (A/B test) Does this copy reflect the tone of my brand? Is this copy manipulative and/or unethical? Does it mistreat my user? Glossary Good: Bad: “Use” “Utilize” Specific actions verbs “Enable” Very (and other adverbs) “Blah blah” text “End user” → who is this for you? Sources 16 Rules of Effective UX Writing. by Nick Babich UX Writing: Handy Tips on Text Improving User Experience What Are UX Writers? UX Copywriting | Adobe XD Ideas All you need to know about Progressive Disclosure UX copywriting: What's powering the web's best digital experiences | GatherContent The complete guide to UX writing - Justinmind Writing - Material Design Cringeworthy Words to Cut from Online Copy Inverted Pyramid: Writing for Comprehension
