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Writing for the Web:
Guidelines for MIT Libraries

Web Advisory Group > Writing for the Web > Writing Guidelines

Give instructions with imperatives

To make instructions easy for users to follow:

  • Use numbered lists.
  • Use imperatives. "Do this."
  • Put some space between the steps.

Example:

How to Subscribe to UnCover Reveal

  1. Go to UnCover Reveal at http://uncweb.carl.org/reveal/

  2. Click on Reveal for New Users.

  3. Click on Create a Profile.

  4. You will now be asked to fill in a user profile.
    Do NOT enter account information; the site license takes care of this.
    ***Important*** Note the Profile Number assigned to you and the Password that you have chosen. You will need these to access UnCover Reveal in the future.

  5. After entering your name, password, and email address, click on Save Profile.

  6. You will need to STOP now and wait 24 hours so that UnCover can validate your Profile with the MIT Libraries' UnCover Reveal site license. Please IGNORE the request to Order UnCover Reveal. If you have entered account information in your Profile and click on Order UnCover Reveal, you will be charged for this service.

  7. Once again, you will not be able to access your account for 24 hours.
 

 

 

 

 

 Writing Guidelines
 useful headings |  headings2 |  first few words |  active voice
 set the context |  use lists |  imperatives |  parallelisms
 simpler words |  fragments |  descriptive links |  combine guidelines

 

  hennig@mit.edu
29 July 99