UX Writing Basics

Introduction

1. Starting with the right foundation
2. What does UX writing have to do with building homes?
3. Writing UX copy is like building a house
4. Who this book is for
5. Let me share the story of how I fell into UX.

Chapter 1 - The history of UX (writing)

1. What do all these acronyms mean?
2. What are all these things if they’re not UX?
3. How do CX, UX, UI, CS and HCD fit together?
4. The definition of user experience is
5. History moments that shaped UX
6. Today UX is…
7. Summary

Chapter 2 - Role of a UX Writer

1. What’s the purpose of a UX writer
2. Does design or writing come first?
3. What team does the UX writer belong in?
4. What does it take to be a UX writer?
5. What does a UX writer do, exactly?
6. So, are you a UX writer?
7. Summary

Chapter 3 - Principles of UX writing

1. Give your copy purpose
2. Write short(er) copy
3. Humanise your copy
4. Be as clear as you can
5. Include everyone
6. Focus on accessibility
7. How to use the principles of UX writing?
8. Good to know: Laws and principles of design
9. Where writing meets design
10. Summary

Chapter 4 - Content strategy

1. What is a content strategy?
2. Why do you need a content strategy?
3. What does a content strategy look like?
4. What’s in a UX content strategy?
5. How do you get started on a content strategy?
6. Putting it all together
7. How do you know you got it right?
8. Summary

Chapter 5 - Personas

1. How many personas do you need?
2. Which elements make up a persona?
3. Mistakes to avoid when creating your personas
4. How do you use your persona?
5. Summary

Chapter 6 - Information architecture

1. What’s the definition of Information Architecture (IA)?
2. How to define your IA
3. How do you organise the information you have?
4. A simple approach to user journeys
5. What do you do with your IA and user journeys now?
6. Summary

Chapter 7 - Wireframes and content tracking tools

1. Why you need a wireframe
2. How to make a wireframe
3. Translating your wireframe into a content tool
4. What comes next?
5. Summary

Chapter 8 - Style guide

1. What’s in a UX style guide?
2. How to develop your style guide
3. Inspiring style guides
4. Summary

Chapter 9 - Microcopy

1. Principles of UX writing
2. Rules, tips and tricks for better UX copy
3. The microcopy editing checklist
4. Presenting your microcopy
5. Summary

Chapter 10 - Tracking, testing, iterating

1. What kind of data should you track?
2. How to test your UX copy
3. Usability testing methods
4. How to iterate
5. A special note for freelancer UX writers
6. Summary

Chapter 11 - The future of UX writing

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
2. Chatbots
3. Intelligent devices and writing for voice commands
4. What about other devices and upcoming inventions?
5. Summary

Conclusion - What will you do next?

1. Try techniques from this book, one at a time
2. Learn specific UX writing skills
3. Share what you learn
4. UX and Writing Communities
5. Keep an eye on UX Writing Basics

Thank you

Glossary

References

1. Introduction
2. Chapter 1 - History of UX
3. Chapter 2 - The role of a UX writer
4. Chapter 3 - Principles of UX writing
5. Chapter 4 - Content Strategy
6. Chapter 5 - Personas
7. Chapter 7 - Wireframes and content tracking tools
8. Chapter 8 - Style guides
9. Chapter 9 - Microcopy
10. Chapter 10 - Tracking, testing, iterating
11. Chapter 11 - The future of UX writing