How to Write (Instruction) So People Can Learn

Patti Shank

Writing for instruction differs from other kinds of writing because we must write to make it easier to learn, remember, and apply. But a lot of instructional content makes these outcomes harder! Content that overloads memory. Writing that makes it hard to find or understand needed information.

The good news is that research offers easy-to-apply instructional, writing, usability, and information design principles that show us how to write for clarity, comprehension, and use.

In this session, participants will apply research-driven and actionable tactics that help us:

• Understand the attributes and limitations of memory 
• Use memory attributes and limitations to write clearer and more comprehensible content
• Analyze the readability of content 
• Apply tactics that make content more readable

Patti Shank PhD is the author of Write and Organize for Deeper Learning, Practice and Feedback for Deeper Learning, and Manage Memory for Deeper Learning. She’s an internationally recognized instructional designer, researcher, and learning analyst who makes these tactics clear and actionable in her books and workshops.