02.03 Lists & Instructions

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LISTS & INSTRUCTIONS

IKEA man holding instructions

Editing

elephant sculptures

Lists

Santa holding a list

If it’s a list, make it a list

Replicants are the ideal workforce for off-planet installations because they are inhumanly strong, guaranteed disease-resistant, well-trained in a variety of technologies, and too short-lived to require pensions.

If it’s a list, make it a list

Replicants are the ideal workforce for off-planet installations because they are inhumanly strong, guaranteed disease-resistant, well-trained in a variety of technologies, and too short-lived to require pensions.

Replicants are the ideal workforce for off-planet installations because they are:

  • Inhumanly strong

  • Guaranteed disease-resistant

  • Well-trained in a variety of technologies

  • Too short-lived to require pensions

Bullet or numbered?

Bullet lists

Lists that still make sense when you rearrange the items.

Aloy can override the programming on several creatures:

  • Striders

  • Grazers

  • Tallnecks

Bullet or numbered?

Numbered lists

Lists where item order conveys information.

Let’s do the Time Warp again:

  1. Jump to the left.

  2. Step to the right.

  3. Put your hands on your hips.

  4. Bring your knees in tight.

Put shared information in the introduction

Vor noblemen do certain things when they reach adulthood:

  • Must serve in the military.

  • Have to marry another Vor.

  • Are required to swear fealty to the Emperor.

Put shared information in the introduction

Vor noblemen do certain things when they reach adulthood:

  • Must serve in the military.

  • Have to marry another Vor.

  • Are required to swear fealty to the Emperor.

Vor noblemen must do certain things when they reach adulthood:

  • Serve in the military.

  • Marry another Vor.

  • Swear fealty to the Emperor.

Make list elements consistent

There are rules for what you can have in your quarters:

  • no live tribbles

  • Sharp swords must have sheaths.

  • Nothing from Klingon or Romulan space

  • acoustic musical instruments only

Make list elements consistent

There are rules for what you can have in your quarters:

  • no live tribbles

  • Sharp swords must have sheaths.

  • Nothing from Klingon or Romulan space

  • acoustic musical instruments only

The following possessions are forbidden in crew quarters:

  • Live tribbles

  • Sharp swords without sheaths

  • Anything from Klingon or Romulan space

  • Amplified musical instruments

Formatting list items

Formatting list items

Capitalization

The broom was overloaded with cargo and passengers:

  • Gigi the cat

  • a toy black cat in a cage

  • Kiki

  • a fish casserole

 

Formatting list items

Capitalization

The broom was overloaded with cargo and passengers:

  • Gigi the cat

  • a toy black cat in a cage

  • Kiki

  • a fish casserole

The broom was overloaded with cargo and passengers:

  • Gigi the cat

  • A toy black cat in a cage

  • Kiki

  • A fish casserole

Formatting list items

Punctuation

Either:
The Wayfarer has many species on her crew:

  • Humans

  • Grum

  • Aandarisk

  • Sianat (paired)

Or:
A Sianat Pair is a special entity:

  • It is a combination of a Sianat and its symbiont.

  • It can navigate hyperspace.

  • It follows certain rituals throughout its life.

Formatting list items

Punctuation

But not:
The Wayfarer has many species on her crew:

  • Humans ,

  • Grum ,

  • Aandarisk , and

  • Sianat (paired) .

Grouping list items

Bullet lists: categories and items

Numbered lists: alternatives or sub-steps

Minecraft flowers come in many colors:

  • Red

    • Roses

    • Poppies

  • Yellow

    • Daffodils

    • Sunflowers

  • …​

How to tame a dragon:

  1. Catch the dragon. There are several ways to do this:

    • Set a trap in its den.

    • Lure it with food.

    • Offer it gold.

  2. Gradually build up trust:

    1. Distract it with food.

    2. Treat its injuries while it eats.

  3. …​

Instructions

Hand-washing instructions

Start with the user’s goal

To use your SecUnit:

  1. Activate the unit on the local HubStream.

  2. …​

Start with the user’s goal

To use your SecUnit:

  1. Activate the unit on the local HubStream.

  2. …​

To defend the base during an attack:

  1. Activate your SecUnit on the local HubStream.

  2. …​

Three kinds of step

How to evade a sandworm in the deep desert:

  1. Optional: Activate a thumper to distract the worm. ← Optional

  2. Walk with an uneven rhythm. ← Required

  3. If there are rocks nearby, go toward them. ← Conditional

Use "you" forms

  1. We put the ghost trap into the containment unit.

  2. We enter our personal code on the keypad to release the ghost into the grid.

Use "you" forms

  1. We put the ghost trap into the containment unit.

  2. We enter our personal code on the keypad to release the ghost into the grid.

  1. Put the ghost trap into the containment unit.

  2. Enter your personal code on the keypad to release the ghost into the grid.

Write in the present

After you take the red pill, the Matrix will eject you.

Write in the present

After you take the red pill, the Matrix will eject you.

After you take the red pill, the Matrix ejects you.

Fin

Line drawing of a fish