Instructions Selection Memo
In this assignment you need to select a set of instructions that you will analyze later on in the class. My suggestion is you pick a moderate set of instructions. You should understand them. This will make it easier to analyze. The instructions should be easily accessible. You do not want to go buy a set of instructions that cost loads of money. This would only be a waste. You can find tons of instructions online. Simply use Google to find them. Write down the URL address, so they will be easily accessible later and so that you can cite the source on your paper.
I chose a set of instructions on how to build a paper airplane. I found these online. They were not that difficult, but had enough steps for me to analyze. If you look ahead, you will see that the instructions you choose will need to be tested for usability. If you select instructions with a million steps, this testing will be a nightmare.
The second part of this assignment is to write a memo to Dr. Art explaining why you chose the instructions you did. This is quite simple. On Dr. Art’s webpage, there is a list of questions he wants answered in the memo. If you answer all the questions posed, then there should be no problems reaching the minimum word count. The questions should be answered truthfully and thoroughly. The truth is never bad. If you chose the instructions because you waited until the last minute and it was all you could find, then write about it. You will not lose points for being a procrastinator. The truth will only give you something to write about without being creative.
The last question on the list is open-ended, “What help do you need from Dr. Art to make your instructions analysis project successful?” This is designed for you to ask questions and receive feedback. If you are having troubles write it down. Dr. Art can only help you figure it out. As always, edit your paper. The easiest way to get an “A” is to edit your assignments. No matter the content, it just needs to be correct.
Below is my set of instructions and my memo. It serves as a good example of what should be contained in the memo. My set of instructions was fairly decent when it came to analyzing them. The testing also did not take me long.
