Use active voice (conversational) and present tense where possible – this reduces reading time and engages the learner more. The language used should flow naturally and should not sound robotic.
Do not use: “When you press Enter, a warning message will appear.”
Use: “When you press Enter, a warning message appears.”
Active vs Passive
|
Passive |
Active |
|---|---|
|
A message will be sent. |
We’ll send a message. |
|
Video has been downloaded. |
Video downloaded. |
|
The Search button should be clicked when you are ready to search for an item. |
Click the Search button to search for an article. |