This document summarizes and analyzes several types of documents, including factual writing, instruction manuals, leaflets, how-to guides, and factual journalism. For each document type, it examines elements like use of color, illustrations, conciseness of text, clarity, ambiguity, bias, register of language, and referencing of sources. The analysis considers how these elements are used effectively or could be improved for each document type. It provides insightful evaluations of design principles for instructional and informational documents.

1. Factual Writing
By Sophie Baker

2. Leaflets Large font & Capitals ColoursBold title drawing
the readers eye in
The text
isn’t very
concise
because
there’s so
much of
it
Accuracy and ambiguity within the text when it comes to
facts, however the text turns more biased when they
describe how the children feel afterwards.
The larger illustrations are aimed to catch the eye of the child while
the smaller illustrations demonstrate the text for the reader

3. Leaflets
The colour red usually signifies danger but in this sense it’s in reference to the dragon rather than a warning. Especially since the
illustration of the dragon is depicted and adapted as ‘cute’ and ‘childlike’ to be more appealing to children and more
approachable to viewer. The illustrations in general are aimed for children to look at and pick due to the creator wanting the
children to show it to their parents, or the parents to show the leaflet to their children and for them to show an interest.
Whereas the smaller illustrations next to the text are there to indicate what the text is going to be about. This not only helps the
reader but gives the layout of the leaflet more structure and focus than rather it were to be all text based.
Putting the title of the leaflet ‘Summer For Kids’ in all capitals and in a large font makes the title more eye-catching rather than
having it be in smaller sizes throughout. Particularly when there is so many illustrations the cover of the leaflet as well. Having
the title in white also pairs up with the colour of the background and is bold enough within the red cloud its in.
Clarity is shown throughout the leaflet because of how the text has been organized with the graphics. Giving each piece of text a
bold title signifying what the subject of the text guides the reader. However, the text itself isn’t particularly concise because
there is quite a lot of after the title rather than having there be as few words as possible.
The text itself doesn’t tend to show biased tendencies because what they are stating are accuracy within the facts about events
can be held there, what they do them for, who takes part in them, etc. However, there is a slight tendency to be biased when
saying how the classes or events make the children feel. Altogether losing the ambiguity that they had before. For example, ‘Art
Alive’: ‘The class is an encouraging atmosphere in which children can absorb ideas and techniques.’ Because of the makers of
this leaflet only really explaining facts about their work they don’t have a major need to reference sources because they are
going on what is going to happen in a general sense rather than going into more detail. This results in ‘evidencing of argument’
because they are only explaining their opinion rather than having quotes from people who have worked with them before or
what they thought about it. They are merely going on what they know and think about the event(s).
The register of the text is used for the parents of the children rather than the children themselves. The leaflet is aimed more at
children to promote the events at Cork City Libraries, however it’s the parents who will be taking them their and investing
money into these classes and events. This results in the text being quite formal to communicate with parents rather than
childlike and simple to appeal to, as well as to be understood by, children.
There aren’t any legal constraints or codes of practice that need to be taken out with a leaflet like this because there isn’t any
strong statements or political issues referring to the children that will take part within something like this, such as claiming they
will teach every child to read within these events.

4. Instructional Manuals
Using the
illustration on top
of one another to
make it much more
clear to the viewer
Another illustration
to indicate how the
two parts are put
together for the
next step
Register is simple
for children
Lack of biased
because there is a
lack of text, making
there a lack of
evidence of
argument because
there isn’t much
text
Due to the text being so
simple, almost vague
there is a strong use of
avoiding ambiguity
because the text is to
the point
The boldest use of
text and font is
from the use of the
products title, this
is what people of
the audience will be
looking for
A lot of clarity with this
instruction manual
because there the
instructions are so
simple

5. Instructional Manuals
Even though this instruction manual was printed in 1994 for a piece of memorabilia from the movie ‘The Shadow’
there is a lack of colour because it being an instruction manual it wouldn’t have needed to be as needed, especially
given that it’s a construction piece of a few parts. If there parts were to be colour coordinated then that would
either be addressed within the text or through the images with the colours needed on whatever parts.
The boldest use of texts throughout the instruction manual is from the title of the product. Your eye easily goes to
‘The Shadow’ which is used as a header and is accompanied by an illustration on the side. Even with the lack of
colour there is a drop shadow to make the text for the title stand out even more. This is so the targeted audience
for this product will immediately know the product they are looking for and then know that this instruction manual
is for that product as well.
There are multiple uses of illustration on this instruction manual. The instructions are could work primarily with just
the illustrations but are joined with texts to make the images even clearer. The first graphic in the middle of the
page demonstrates two steps of instructions, whereas the one below continues with one step. The text that is
describing the graphics is a simple register for children to follow. However, even though this is a toy the instructions
in general are very simple, regardless of the age of the audience.
Due to the text being as simple as it is, almost vague, creating concise information there is a strong use of avoiding
ambiguity because the text is to the point and direct. The text doesn’t question the accuracy of any of what it says
throughout. For example, ‘Snap weapons onto canopy’. Because the text is so simple and avoids ambiguity there is
a lot of clarity because with this instruction manual because the illustrations are so clear as well as the text format.
Due to the layout being so clear and accurate there is a lack of biased due to there being a lack of text.
In order to avoid any legal constrains or codes of practice the instruction manual needs to reference sources to
back up any complaints that may happen with customers. This is a very simple instruction manual so for there to be
false facts which could cause customers file gagging orders is unlikely. But a way in which this manual could back up
there facts is through a video or/ and photos of them making the memorabilia by following the instructions, or
other customers.

6. How-To-Guides
Evidence of argument
by considering the
customer and what
they may or may not
have
Putting warnings in
bold to draw the eye
of the reader without
the use of colour
The illustrations are
sometimes more
detailed than the text
because the use of
them saves the
amount of writing
needed
Sometimes the text
isn’t very concise
because there is
sometimes more text
than other, even with
the illustrations
A formal use of
register

7. How-To-Guides
There is a lack of colour with this how-to-guide due to the print being an extract from a 1950’s Hamilton Beach Instruction
Manual on kitchen appliances with this additional how-to-guide on How to Make Coffee. The font size throughout is
consistent and precise giving the reader clarity with this guide. Even though there is a lack of conciseness due to the guide
wanting to be instructive and thorough. However, even with the amount of text within the guide it isn’t overwhelming to
the reader because of the illustrations.
With each step the reader gets one image to accompany it giving the creator of this guide leverage to how much text they
can use because instead of needing to explain what parts of the coffee maker are needed the guide can just show them. In a
way this creates more conciseness throughout the guide because of the marriage between the text and the illustrations. As
well as the fact that the text has been categorized into separate boxes.
Certain words in the instructions are highlighted in bold. Rather than having these words be in italic to stress on a word
there is more of an effect given when the word is in bold because it shows more warning. Nowadays we would simply put
the word(s) in a colour such as red to signify danger. However here they don’t have colour so putting the word in bold has
much more of an effect because it draws the readers eye in to what you should or shouldn’t do. Such as, ‘Be careful not to
get any grounds inside the coffee tank’.
There isn’t much of a biased with this how-to-guide because the creator is working off of how the machine works in as
much detail as possible along side illustrations. The writer is even accompanying the fact that the reader may or may not be
provided with certain amendments with the machine meaning that they are showing evidence of argument. ‘If your model
has a clock, set clock before first use.’ Given that this piece of machinery, a coffee maker, will be aimed at adults the register
of the text is much more formal if it were to be aimed at teenagers or children. However, given that it is a instructional
guide the text isn’t overly complicated either. Such as step four being, ‘Pour water from coffee tank into water reservoir’.
The legal constraints and codes of practice that would be issued with this how-to-guide would be directed to whether or
not the instructions where correct. If not there would be complaints by the customers of the how-to-guide. In order to
avoid this the makers of the guide would need to reference sources to ensure that they have evidence that the instructions
have worked in practice through a video or photographs, as well as that the instructions have worked for other customers
through photographs and quotes.

8. Factual Journalism
Lack of conciseness on
the front page due to
there being more than
one article at a time
Using a fact in the
title could be a way of
avoiding ambiguity,
however people could
still argue with the
facts given
Journalism tends to
show a biased
through the
journalists opinions
but with an article
about sports facts and
events can usually be
traced back by
referencing sources
The register of
headlines tends to be
short and simple but
the register within the
articles are usually very
formal for adults
Using an image of the
star on the cover makes
people purchase the
product
The graphics and font
size for the brand of
newspaper bring
people in comparison
to others
The use of colour
on the gold trophy
draws people in
against the black
and white

9. Factual journalism
There isn‘t a strong use of colour on the front page of this newspaper. The only colour used is for the front pages article on Andy Murry.
The photograph is bold and has the trophy is the focal point. Given that the trophy is gold and shinning it draws people in and gives a
clear indication that he has won a match. This shows people what the athlet has done without even needing to read the article yet, even
if they are fans or not of the athlet. As well as having an image of the public figure on the front page of the newspaper pulls in fans of
them to buy that issue, similar to how many magazines sell by putting starlet on the cover. The title of the newspaper also pulls people
in.
The font size and use of graphics tells customers which newspaper publication they are looking at and can define their audiences by age,
class and gender. For instance, customers who by ‘The Times’ don’t often buy ‘The Sun’ as well. This can come down to the use of
content and the register. With ‘The Times’ and this article the register is very formal to meet their audiences standards, usually of class
and education, and newspapers tend to be aimed at adults so the assumption is that they will be able to understand this form of formal
register in comparison to children. The overall way writing within these articles shows a lack of conciseness because there is so much
information to be told in these articles and they tend to be pushed together then spaced out like a magazine giving the reading more
trouble reading the words. As well as the fact the font of the articles tend to be very small, particular in comparison to the headlines.
The headline ‘Murray ends 77 year wait for British win’ shows facts straight away. This is showing that the journalist writing the article
has shown an accuracy with their research and results. Usually with the accuracy of the fact the journalist and newspaper, or other form
of publication, in journalism will avoid ambiguity. However, many people reading the article will question the facts at hand. A way in
which the writer and form of publication can avoid ambiguity is by referencing sources. For instance in this article they’ve said, ‘Andy
Murray has won the Men’s Single’s final at Wimbledon yesterday’. Newspapers are daily and the events of what happened ‘yesterday’s
sporting activities will be discussed on what had happened on multiple branches. Such as many sports, news broadcaster and radio
presenters. When it comes to writing about public events it’s very likely they will be broadcasted live and will have replays over the next
day or so. This is one way in which a journalist can make sure there’s no room for interpretation by being clear with their written facts.
Referencing sources saves the journalist and house of publication getting in trouble with audiences. Trouble with a lack of accuracy on
facts and having biased opinions can cause readers to file legal constraints against the journalist, such as gagging orders due to false
facts. To avoid this journalists follow the codes of practice by the NUJ codes (National Union of Journalists).
A problem which many journalists and publications face is that they can be deemed as biased with what they write by giving their
opinions about the events they are writing about. This article doesn’t show that because they’ve suck to how the game played out.
However many publications do. Such as the newspaper ‘The Sun’ wrote a small piece on the actress Emma Watson and what they
thought of her latest UN speech on woman’s rights, ‘She bored them all ridged with whining, leftie, PC crap. Just like all actresses do if
people are stupid enough to give them the chance’, etc. This of course caused a lot of controversy and backlash against the publication
and journalist.