HOW TO USE COMMAS

1. Use a comma after phrases of more than three words that begin a sentence. (especially
if they begin with a preposition: in, to, over, under, etc.)
Example: In order to apply, you must have previous experience.
2. Use a comma to separate two complete sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction
and, or, but, for, nor.
Example: I have painted the entire house, but he is still working on sanding the doors.
3. A comma splice is an error caused by joining two sentences with only a comma instead
of separating them with a conjunction, semicolon, or period.
Incorrect: Time flies when we are having fun, we are always having fun.
Correct: Time flies when we are having fun; we are always having fun.
Correct: Time flies when we are having fun, and we are always having fun.
4. Use a semicolon to separate two complete sentences where the conjunction has been
left out or when there is a conjunctive adverb like therefore, however, thus,
nevertheless, etc.
Example: Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.
Example: I have paid my dues; therefore, I expect all the privileges listed in the
contract.
5. Do not use a semicolon in front of words such as therefore and however if they do
not connect two complete sentences.
Example: I would, therefore, like a response.
6. Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain
commas.
Example: Everyone likes mixed-up ice cream flavors like pistachio, chocolate, and
banana; blueberry and lemon; and strawberry, cream, and iodine.
HYPHENS
Throughout your papers you want to make sure youre hyphenating uniformly.
Generally, a hyphen should be used when you have a two-word adjective coupled
to a noun like air-cooled (adj) martensite (noun) or water-quenched sample.
But not when the adjective comes after the noun: the martensite was air
cooled. Or when the adjectival pair is used by itself: There were three
processes: air cooling, water quenching, and tempering.

For a general guideline on hyphens, see:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/576/1/
CAPITALIZATION
Dont capitalize things randomly throughout your instruction set. When capitalizing
something outside of the first word of a sentence or a title ask yourself, should
this be capitalized? Whats the rule? Most of all be uniform. Dont capitalize some
headings entirely and other headings not at all.

Example: How to create a 3D model of a bracket in SolidWorks 2016

Capitalize your titles: The only words in a title that you dont capitalize usually are
articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but or), and short
prepositions (to, at, by, from). See <capitalizemytitle.com>

Why is the word new capitalized but file isnt? Also note that ideally the
actions/clicks your users are to take in a software manual should be
differentiated from the rest of the sentence (color changed or bolded)
 Installation Steps

Part 1: Preparation

AVOID PADDING

1. Set the guitar on a worktable. This could be a bed or a table with towels set underneath
the guitar to avoid scratching.

YOUR LANGUAGE

2. Unwind the strings using the string winder by rotating each of the six machine heads.

Avoid padding language and

using empty adj, adv:
very, many, etc. Your
instruction set should be as
descriptive as possible, but
you dont get points for Figure 1: Unwinding the machine heads

using extra words. In fact,

Caution: Make sure to unwind the strings at least enough to leave at least a distance of 1 inch
words outside of your main from the body of the guitar, when pulled perpendicular. Cutting the strings when they are
actions should be kept to a wound tighter may cause injury when the strings are split and break outwards,

minimum. The main

headings/instructions of
your set should be action
oriented Pour the
concrete, etc.
The example to the left is of non Must be at least 1 inch
of space from the
padded language. Notice strings to the body of
the guitar
the bolded actions.

Figure 2: 1 inch space between the pulled strings and the body
REPRESENTING LISTS
When you list things in technical documents, make an actual bulleted or numbered
list. Use bullets when the order doesnt matter (a list of materials and tools to
gather) use numbers when order does matter (first, do this).

DEFINE KEY TERMS

If this is my first
time using
SolidWorks how am
I supposed to know
what a design tree
is?
TEACHING
Instructions mean that you instruct: You need to be teaching me, not just listing at
me. Why should I do it in this way? What happens if I dont? Why do you
recommend this equipment over that equipment? Etc.
TEACHING
TEACHING
DIFFERENTIATE YOUR ACTIONS
For Software: If you are doing a programming instruction set, differentiate your clicks
with either quotations or, better yet, colors.
 LABEL YOUR IMAGES

If you have one

image that
portrays
multiple steps
make sure you
number those
steps directly
on the image.
SIZE YOUR IMAGES APPROPRIATELY
If the surrounding context of the image doesnt matter, zoom in rather than including
a bunch of extra information.
THREE PART LABELING SYSTEM
You need to follow the 3-part image labeling method taught during this unit. For every
image, include a figure number and descriptive caption, a label on the image
itself highlighting what youre talking about, and a reference to the image during
in the step (see figure 1). The figure below is missing an on image label.
 GIVE CHECK-INS AND FEEDBACK

Status Check
If you have followed the steps correctly so far, you should have an
image that has the 3 main views and a trimetric, dimetric, or
isometric view. If you want to delete the centerlines on your object,
select them with the left-mouse click and press the delete key on the
keyboard.

Top View Isometric View

Front View Side View

 CONCRETE EXAMPLES
If you are explaining
something
theoretical like how
to use for excel,
make it concrete by
giving a running
story line/example.
Instead of saying
excel is good for
seeing trends, say
excel is great for
seeing trends, in this
instruction set we're
going to look at the
trends in salary
across an NBA team.
List of Materials

Item # Name Places to buy Cost ($)
1 Baitcasting Rod $30 - $200
2 Scissors, Clippers, or Knife Basspro Shops, $1 - $5
3 Fishing Line Cabelas, $8 - $20
4 Baitcasting Reel Walmart, Etc. $30 - $200
5 Lure $1 - $20

4
GIVE TIME LINES

INTRODUCTION
This tutorial aims to navigate, step-by-step, the actions required in
order to reset a computer running Microsoft Windows.
Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 will be the specific
versions of Windows covered herein, and this guide will detail the
two paths available when resetting a Windows computer running
one of these operating systems1.
These instructions are intended for users with little or beginner
knowledge of the Microsoft Windows environment.
Motivations for resetting a computer can include:
Removing sensitive information in order to recycle or resell a
computer without fear of leaving identifiable material.
Speeding up the computer by removing all material added
after initial setup in order to start fresh, or to give the computer
to someone else.
Removing any and all viruses present on the computer as a
guaranteed way to clean it of any infection.

Time Commitment
Reset ... 12 Minutes
Refresh 10 Minutes

Reset Time (HDD2)

Reset ... 60 Minutes
Refresh 40 Minutes

Reset Time (SSD3)

Reset ... 40 Minutes
Refresh 20 Minutes