Sample Papers

Write a critique of one of the manuals listed below. Your critique must be substantial and thoughtful and be a minimum of 500 words. The textbook “Technical Writing For Success” is currently being used for the class and this assignment refers to Chapter 4 and ChapterAssignment 1_Manual critique5 in the textbook.

The assignment consist on reviewing one of these online user manuals and critique the ease of use of the instructions:

http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1565/en_US/iphone_user_guide.pdf

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMPBDT210-MUL.PDF

http://www.cuisinart.com/share/pdf/manuals/cmw-100.pdf

http://applianceassistant.com/ServiceManuals/8178010_l-67_whirlpool_calypso_electronic_control_washer.pdf

Note:  If the web address is no longer valid, you can try visiting web.archive.org to access an archived version of the files.

Remember to state clearly in your review which product manual you are discussing. Try to identify both pros and cons of the document you select, including document design, content, and organization. Would you be able to use this product for its intended purpose given only this manual? You may want to consider effectiveness and/or what would you change if you were the technical writer on this project.

Note: You may also choose to add to an already-posted review by another learner, but please remember to explain fully why you agree or disagree with what that learner has said about the document. “I agree” is not a full response for this assignment!

Assignment Outcomes

Demonstrate various document design options and presentation features.

Explain various types of visuals and how to apply graphics and visuals to make writing more aesthetically appealing.

Evaluate course concepts critically and competently through interaction with Learners and Faculty Mentor.

Manual Critique

Name

Institution Affiliation

Course

Date

Critique of iPhone user manual.

The world has experienced a revolution in the usage of home appliances; they have been changing from day to the other. The usage of some of the electronic appliance has been marred with complications due to the technology and system involved in the devices. However, with the provision of a manual, the application has been simplified and made it possible for people to acquire more of such appliances. The critique is for the iPhone user manual. Since its inception, the phone has been changing in the models produced and therefore the need to produce a manual that can help in the usage of each model.

Pros of the user manual.

The user manual is rich in information regarding the usage of the iPhone 8.4 software. It has been able to show even the most uncomplicated icon usage and thus making it simple for an individual to follow the guidelines in the manual with ease. The accessories that are compatible with the phone are well portrayed to ensure that users do not use other accessories that are incompatible and can harm the phone (Bar-Magen Numhauser & Zalevsky, 2016). Every accessory is well displayed and where it fits in the phone as well.

Another advantage of the manual is that it has been able to show the meaning of different icons. Users might fail to differentiate between different icons for many of them look alike and can be confused with the hotspot icon and the WIFI icon. The design of the manual is well organized. It has well categorized every specification to its right class such that the user does not get stuck when searching for a specific guideline. It has also made use of the outline where the user can identify the area he needs information and where he/she can be able to access it quickly. The manual has also made use of graphics that can enable the user to compare them with the real scenario on the phone.

Cons of the manual.

The manual has failed in some aspects that are very important to the user. It has provided information on the shortcomings of the phone. It has also not addressed a situation where the phone fails to function what the user has to do to ensure that he can personally repair the phone. The procedure for troubleshooting is not well addressed since it has left out some critical issues that need to be addressed (Burcaw, 2016). The manual has however in some way failed in the presentation of graphic images. Some of the graphics are not colored as they appear in the real scenario of the phone. Therefore they can mislead the user if not careful.

Recommendations.

The manual should have organized the manual well to avoid it appearing to be bulk. Some user might become bored by the bulk of the information. Therefore, it is essential to leave out some unnecessary information and concentrate on the most important. It could have combined some issues since in the table of contents appear to be so stretching it could be more presentable with less information. The guide should have made use of colored graphics to make it more appealing to the users (Bondo, 2014). The colored graphics could capture the concentration of the user and make them read through making them familiar with the usage of the phone. Such concentration makes them get relevant information that leads to less failure in the usage thus little complains.

References

Bar-Magen Numhauser, J., & Zalevsky, Z. (2016). Usage of iPhone for 3D and Through-walls      Objects Mapping. Imaging and Applied Optics 2016. doi:10.1364/3d.2016.tw5a.3

Bondo, J. (2014). Yet Another Google Reader. iPhone User Interface Design Projects, 21-40.      doi:10.1007/978-1-4302-2360-3_2

Burcaw, D. (2016). Brightkite for the iPhone. iPhone User Interface Design Projects, 41-57.         doi:10.1007/978-1-4302-2360-3_3