Tips for Writing Infoflips
Start by determining who your audience is, what they are likely to know already and under what circumstances will they be using the Infoflip.
Some possible ways to organize information:
- from general to specific
- from specific to general
- from what the audience already knows to new information
- step by step
- from most important to least important
Writing guidelines:
Use plain words
| Instead of | Use |
|---|---|
| accomplish | do |
| ascertain | find out |
| disseminate | send out, distribute |
| endeavor | try |
| expedite | hasten, speed up |
| facilitate | make easier, help |
| formulate | work out, devise, form |
| in lieu of | instead of |
| locality | place |
| optimum | best, greatest, most |
| strategize | plan |
| utilize | use |
Cut out unnecessary words
| Instead of: | Use: |
|---|---|
| with regard to | about |
| by means of | by |
| in the event that | if |
| until such time | until |
| during such time | whle |
| in respect of | for |
| in view of the fact | because |
| on the part of | by |
| subsequent to | after |
| under the provisions of | under |
| with a view to | to |
| it would appear that | apparently |
| it is probable that | probably |
| notwithstanding the fact that | although |
| adequate number of | enough |
| excessive number of | number |
Use active sentences that start with verbs
- Instead of: It is recommended that trenches that are two metres or deeper have support. Use: Support trenches two metres or deeper.
- Instead of: The computer should be switched on. Use: Switch on the computer. Other Examples: Open the valve. Press the emergency button. Tell your supervisor.
Eliminate redundancy
- Link to another page if the subject has already been covered.
Example: Fill out an incident report (2).
Be consistent
- in capitalization and punctuation for bullets and headings
- in abbreviations and spacing (e.g., 2m. / 2 metres / 2 m)
Use Lists
- Keep lists parallel.
- Use numbers instead of bullets only when describing step-by-step procedures.
- Watch order of list items; put notes and warnings at the start of the instructions, or before the list item to which they refer.
- If the list item is a full sentence, use appropriate punctuation.
Do a Test Run
- Before submitting your text, get feedback from people who are likely to use the Infoflip.
Download a printable version of these writing tips.