English 421K, Technical Writing

This instruction set is a good representation of the four design principles. There is much repetition in the text when it is formatted in similar manners throughout the instruction set. The tables with steps and images are repeated several times as well. The instructions create a contrast between the sets of images and the text, which takes up the bulk of the document. Some photos are offered in color which creates a contrast from the plain black and white images and text.

It's sad that in todays world we must filter through massive amounts of legal disclaimers before we get to the point of assembling anything. While many products should have very clear and in-your-face warning labels, I don't like the fact that I have to suffer through that for everything I'll ever purchase from a department store.

The content of the manual seem adequate. I think that I would have no problem constructing this swing set after reading this document. It covered everything from safety to construction. Most of the information was broken up into three columns, which worked really well in my opinion. I thought that having the step, information and hardware needed all in one area worked really well. There could have been a little more room in between the rows in the graphs, just to give the readers a little more of a break between the steps.

Contrast-Blue/Red colored pictures and yellow in the logo.
Repetition-Not very consistent with the size and bolding of text. Heading seem consistent and center aligned.
Alignment-Because of the several center aligned headings, makes it seem a little unorganized.
Proximity-There is some whitespace. More when tables are used and less in the text only pages.

The center alignment works because of the adequate use of white space between headers. There is an inconsistent use of columns. In page 5 there are two columns for the diagrams and only one for the text. Then on page six there are suddenly four columns. The number of bullets on the first few pages is approaching an overwhelming stage. Bullets later in document are tabbed farther in than at the beginning. There is a lot of distracting white space in the direction columns

Over all, I think that this is a good pamphlet. I like the pictures that show how/what to do next to the written instructions. Important warnings and safety information is repeated multiple times throughout the text. The instructions are clear, an the designs are appeasing. On thing I did notice though was that at the very beginning, it mentions that the set should be 6 feet away from any other structure, yet in the sample picture it is two feet away from a concrete wall. That could be misleading. The tables make the steps easy to follow, and it all flows along in order of assembly.

This set of instructions illustrates the four design principles. The instructions created an appropriate contrast, especially when moving between pictures and text. The color photos break up the monotony that is often created by lists of text. When shifting from one subject to the next, there is a clear visual marker, usually a change from bulleted text to a chart. These bullets and charts created a very balanced alignment. All of the bulleted text is left aligned, while the charts and pictures are generally centered. This creates a very balanced document. The grouping is very logical.

Page 5 - Image at the top is too small. It would be very useful if it were larger.

Page 6 - The table format is consistant, but looks very odd. Not many instructions use this format.

Page 6 - The picture in step 4 is helpful to show what the swing set should look like "at this stage."

Page 7 - The first image could be a little larger to see what the "hands" are actually doing.

Page 9 - This layout is the best one so far. It has clearly labeled pictures of everything anyone would need to know about.

Contrast – Color pictures of swing set with bright colors sets it off, red and blue. Text is black, minimal white space. The reader is pretty easily directed to the correct sections.

Repetition - The pictures go together, like they were taken as a swing set was being built. There are no off-the-wall pictures with some inside, some outside, different color swing sets, etc. The hardware parts are always shown in life-size as well, so the builders knows exactly which pieces of the swing he or she may need and the type of screws needed to put it together.

I personally like the way PlaySafe used tables to run through the set up procedures.  This method seems to be very organized and consistent through out.  The writer broke down the swing set into several parts which were clearly labled such as preassembled parts, glider assembly, swing assembly and slide assembly.  Then each part was broken into instructional steps for putting it together.  Also, the full assembly illustrations at the beginning and the end of this document are helpful.  In my experience I often find myself not looking through the directions in detail and paying more attent