Projects/Usability/HIG/Wording: Difference between revisions
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== Purpose == | |||
Every word displayed in an application is part of a conversation with users. This conversation is an opportunity to provide clarity and to help people feel comfortable in the system. | |||
== Guidelines == | |||
* Use a terminology that is familiar and easy to understand for the target audience (i.e. Persona) of your application. | |||
* Put the most important thing first. | |||
* Short words, active verbs and common nouns. | |||
* Avoid [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Contractions|contractions]] such as ''Don't'' and ''Won't'' etc. | |||
* Avoid abbreviations (including ampersand instead of 'and'), acronyms, and tech-babble. | |||
* Use a tone that’s informal and friendly, but not too informal; avoid popular, but transient, words and phrases. | |||
* Keep information short and consistent; avoid redundancy or unnecessary words. e.g. Do not repeat the dialog title in the dialog text. | |||
* Don't abuse [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Capitalization|capitalization]] because it draws people’s attention. | |||
* For date and time information, consider that your app may potentially be used for several years; do not use immutable date references like ''this year'' unless it is algorithmically determined. | |||
* Follow system-wide wording conventions for basic functions to keep wording consistent. | |||
[[Category:Usability]][[Category: Presentation]] | |||
Revision as of 22:56, 26 May 2014
Purpose
Every word displayed in an application is part of a conversation with users. This conversation is an opportunity to provide clarity and to help people feel comfortable in the system.
Guidelines
- Use a terminology that is familiar and easy to understand for the target audience (i.e. Persona) of your application.
- Put the most important thing first.
- Short words, active verbs and common nouns.
- Avoid contractions such as Don't and Won't etc.
- Avoid abbreviations (including ampersand instead of 'and'), acronyms, and tech-babble.
- Use a tone that’s informal and friendly, but not too informal; avoid popular, but transient, words and phrases.
- Keep information short and consistent; avoid redundancy or unnecessary words. e.g. Do not repeat the dialog title in the dialog text.
- Don't abuse capitalization because it draws people’s attention.
- For date and time information, consider that your app may potentially be used for several years; do not use immutable date references like this year unless it is algorithmically determined.
- Follow system-wide wording conventions for basic functions to keep wording consistent.