testing drafts for usability and persuasiveness

Testing Drafts forTesting Drafts forUsability and Usability and

PersuasivenessPersuasiveness

Paul V. Anderson’s Technical Communication, 6th ed.

Testing Drafts for Usability Testing Drafts for Usability and Persuasivenessand Persuasiveness

Establish your test objectives.


Pick test readers who truly represent your target readers.


Focus on Usability:Ask your test readers to use your draft the

same way your target readers will.


Focus on Persuasiveness:Learn how your draft affects

your readers’ attitudes.


Interview your test readers after they have read and used your draft.


Avoid biasing your test results.


Interpret your results thoughtfully.


Test early and often.


Global Guideline:With communications for readers in other cultures,

choose test readers from the culture.


Ethics Guideline:Obtain informed consentfrom your test readers.

Read more about testing drafts for usability and persuasiveness in Chapter

15 of Technical Communication.

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