Writing for Interaction

Writing for Interaction

by Linda Newman Lior
Released February 2013
Publisher(s): Morgan Kaufmann
ISBN: 9780123948441

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Book description

Writing for Interaction focuses on the art of creating the information experience as it appears within software and web applications, specifically in the form of user interface text. It also provides strategies for ensuring a consistent, positive information experience across a variety of delivery mechanisms, such as online help and social media.

Throughout this book, you'll learn simple techniques for writing consistent text with the right tone, how to select content delivery mechanisms, and how straightforward, clear layouts help your customer interact with your application. Divided into five sections, the book completely covers the information experience design process from beginning to end. You'll cover everything from understanding your users and their needs, to creating personas, designing the IX strategy, creating your information, and evaluating the resulting information experience. This is your one-stop reference for information experience!

  • Illuminates writing principles and practices for use in interactive design
  • Includes examples, checklists, and sample processes, highlighting practical approaches to designing the information experience
  • Provides the complete picture: understanding customer needs, creating personas, and writing the text appearing within the user interface

Table of contents

  1. Cover image
  2. Title page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Copyright
  5. Acknowledgments
  6. About the author
  7. Introduction
    1. Who is This Book For?
  8. Section 1: Introducing Writing for Interaction
    1. Section 1. Introducing Writing for Interaction
    2. Chapter 1. Introducing the Information Experience
      1. Introduction
      2. What is the Information Experience?
      3. Summary
    3. Chapter 2. Design and Development Models and Processes
      1. Introduction
      2. What are Design and Development Models?
      3. Development Models
      4. Development Model Phases and Information Experience Design
      5. Working as a Team
      6. Using a Team Decision Matrix
      7. Summary
  9. Section 2: Understanding User Needs
    1. Section 2. Understanding User Needs
    2. Chapter 3. Getting to Know Your Users
      1. Introduction
      2. Understanding Your Users
      3. Identifying Your User Types
      4. Business Applications and Their Users
      5. Consumer Applications and Their Users
      6. Summary
    3. Chapter 4. Gathering Data about Your Users
      1. Introduction
      2. Gathering the User Data
      3. Creating User Surveys
      4. Site Visits
      5. Focus Groups
      6. Talking to Customer Support
      7. Gathering Information From the Internet
      8. Analyzing Your Data
      9. Summary
    4. Chapter 5. Creating Your Personas
      1. Introduction
      2. Creating the Task List
      3. Categorizing User Tasks
      4. Mapping Tasks and Categories to Target Users
      5. Creating User Scenarios
      6. Creating the Persona Biographies
      7. Summary
  10. Section 3: Designing Your Information Experience Strategy
    1. Section 3. Designing Your Information Experience Strategy
    2. Chapter 6. Understanding User Reading Patterns
      1. Introduction
      2. How Do Users Interact with Online Text?
      3. What the Research Tells Us
      4. Readability Scales
      5. Summary
    3. Chapter 7. Applying Usability Principles to Your Writing
      1. Introduction
      2. Understanding Your Users’ Information Needs
      3. Understanding User Attributes
      4. Understanding Information Attributes
      5. Summary
    4. Chapter 8. Creating Writing Guidelines
      1. Introduction
      2. What Is a Style Guide?
      3. Defining Writing Style Guidelines
      4. Typography Guidelines
      5. Defining Guidelines for Each Content Type
      6. Summary
  11. Section 4: Creating Your Information Experience
    1. Section 4. Creating Your Information Experience
    2. Chapter 9. Designing Your Information Strategy
      1. Introduction
      2. Understanding the Workflow Phases
      3. Creating an Information Experience Strategy
      4. Designing the Implementation Model
      5. Defining Rings of Quality
      6. Putting It All Together
      7. Summary
    3. Chapter 10. Writing Text for Interaction
      1. Introduction
      2. The Four A’s of Writing
      3. Mapping Information to the User Workflow
      4. Finding the Right Voice
      5. Writing the User Interface Elements
      6. General Text Guidelines
      7. Summary
    4. Chapter 11. Writing for Diverse Audiences
      1. Introduction
      2. Writing Accessible Content
      3. Writing for International Audiences
      4. Summary
  12. Section 5: Evaluation
    1. Section 5. Evaluation
    2. Chapter 12. Evaluating Your Information Experience
      1. Introduction
      2. What are You Reviewing for?
      3. Planning Your Evaluation Strategy
      4. Evaluation Methods
      5. Summary
  13. Review Check List
  14. Final Summary
  15. Bibliography
  16. Index

Product information

  • Title: Writing for Interaction
  • Author(s): Linda Newman Lior
  • Release date: February 2013
  • Publisher(s): Morgan Kaufmann
  • ISBN: 9780123948441