> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://content-designer-ux-writing-skill-26.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Checklist

> Comprehensive content usability checklist for evaluating UX text quality

Use this checklist to evaluate UX text quality. Rate each criterion 0-10.

## How to use this checklist

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review individual pieces">
    Evaluate specific UI strings, messages, or flows
  </Step>

  <Step title="Audit entire experiences">
    Score major screens or user journeys
  </Step>

  <Step title="Compare options">
    Rate different versions to choose the best
  </Step>

  <Step title="Track improvements">
    Measure before and after edits
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build rationale">
    Use scores to explain writing decisions
  </Step>

  <Step title="Focus efforts">
    Identify lowest-scoring areas to improve first
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Concise

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Every word has a distinct job">
    * No filler words like "basically", "actually", "just"
    * Each word adds meaning or clarity
    * Can't remove words without losing meaning

    **Score 0-10**: How well does each word earn its place?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="High information density in minimal words">
    * Maximum meaning per word
    * Efficient phrasing
    * No redundancy

    **Score 0-10**: How efficiently is information conveyed?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="40-60 characters per line">
    * Optimal line length for readability
    * Breaks appropriately for scanning
    * Not too long (causes focus loss) or too short (causes back-and-forth eye movement)

    **Score 0-10**: Is line length optimized for reading?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Short sentences and paragraphs">
    * Less than 3-4 lines per paragraph
    * Sentences vary in length but average \~15-20 words
    * Broken into scannable chunks

    **Score 0-10**: Are sentences and paragraphs scannable?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Front-loaded with signal words">
    * Most important words come first
    * Action words at start of sentences
    * Users see key information immediately

    **Score 0-10**: Is critical information front-loaded?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Ideas ordered by priority">
    * Most critical information first
    * Secondary details follow
    * Nice-to-know information last

    **Score 0-10**: Is information prioritized effectively?
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Purposeful

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="User goals are clear and supported">
    * Text helps users complete their task
    * Addresses user's "why am I here?" question
    * Removes barriers to action

    **Score 0-10**: How well does this support user goals?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Business goals are met">
    * Supports conversion, engagement, or retention
    * Aligns with product objectives
    * Advances organizational goals

    **Score 0-10**: Does this advance business objectives?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Brand voice is reflected">
    * Consistent with brand personality
    * Recognizable as coming from this product
    * Uses appropriate tone for context

    **Score 0-10**: Is brand voice consistent?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Value proposition is evident">
    * User benefit is clear
    * Explains "what's in it for me?"
    * Shows value before asking for action

    **Score 0-10**: Is user value clear?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Subject matter focuses on user benefit">
    * Written in second person ("you")
    * Emphasizes outcomes, not features
    * User-centered, not company-centered

    **Score 0-10**: Is the focus on user benefits?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Active, inviting framing">
    * Motivates action without being pushy
    * Matches user's intention and journey stage
    * Appropriate level of urgency

    **Score 0-10**: Does framing invite appropriate action?
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Conversational

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Natural, spoken language">
    * Sounds like something you'd say aloud
    * Flows naturally when read
    * Not stiff or overly formal

    **Score 0-10**: Would you actually say this out loud?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Active voice predominates">
    * Subject performs the action
    * Direct and energetic
    * Use passive only when it's clearer (rare cases)

    **Score 0-10**: Is active voice used appropriately?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Connecting words included">
    * Prepositions present ("to", "from", "with")
    * Articles included ("a", "an", "the")
    * Not telegraphic or robotic

    **Score 0-10**: Does it sound human, not robotic?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Familiar words and phrases">
    * Uses language your users use
    * Based on user research and testing
    * No unnecessary technical jargon

    **Score 0-10**: Does this match user language?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Personality in appropriate moments">
    * Voice shines through when context allows
    * Not overly serious in light contexts
    * Not playful in serious moments

    **Score 0-10**: Is personality appropriate for context?
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Clear

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Accurate action words">
    * Specific verbs that describe the action
    * "Delete" not "Remove" for permanent deletion
    * "Save" not "OK" for saving changes

    **Score 0-10**: Are verbs specific and accurate?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Command forms used appropriately">
    * Active imperative for buttons
    * Clear, direct instructions
    * Action-oriented language

    **Score 0-10**: Are commands clear and direct?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Plain language">
    * 7th grade reading level for general audience
    * 10th grade for professional contexts
    * Avoids complex vocabulary and sentence structures

    **Score 0-10**: Is reading level appropriate?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Meaningful, descriptive titles">
    * Titles tell you where you are
    * Not generic or vague
    * Provide context and orientation

    **Score 0-10**: Do titles orient users effectively?
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Consistent patterns and terminology">
    * Same word means same thing throughout
    * UI patterns applied consistently
    * Terminology documented in style guide

    **Score 0-10**: Is terminology consistent?
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Scoring guide

<CardGroup cols={5}>
  <Card title="9-10" icon="star">
    **Excellent**

    Best practice example
  </Card>

  <Card title="7-8" icon="thumbs-up">
    **Good**

    Minor improvements possible
  </Card>

  <Card title="5-6" icon="circle-half-stroke">
    **Adequate**

    Notable issues to address
  </Card>

  <Card title="3-4" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    **Needs work**

    Significant problems
  </Card>

  <Card title="0-2" icon="xmark">
    **Poor**

    Major revision required
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Example evaluation

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Before">
    **Text**: "An error occurred while processing your request. Please try again."

    ### Scoring

    <ParamField body="Concise" type="score" default="6/10">
      Wordy, could be "We couldn't process your request. Try again."
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="Purposeful" type="score" default="4/10">
      Doesn't help user fix the problem or explain what happened
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="Conversational" type="score" default="5/10">
      Somewhat robotic, "an error occurred" is system-speak
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="Clear" type="score" default="5/10">
      Vague, doesn't specify what error or why
    </ParamField>

    **Overall**: 5/10 — Adequate but needs significant improvement
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="After">
    **Text**: "We couldn't save your changes. Check your connection and try again."

    ### Scoring

    <ParamField body="Concise" type="score" default="9/10">
      Brief, direct, no wasted words
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="Purposeful" type="score" default="8/10">
      Suggests likely cause (connection) and next step
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="Conversational" type="score" default="9/10">
      Natural, human phrasing
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="Clear" type="score" default="9/10">
      Specific about what failed and what to do
    </ParamField>

    **Overall**: 9/10 — Excellent
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Printable checklist

Use this condensed version for quick evaluations:

### Concise (0-10 each)

* [ ] Every word has a job
* [ ] High information density
* [ ] 40-60 characters per line
* [ ] Short sentences/paragraphs
* [ ] Front-loaded signal words
* [ ] Ideas ordered by priority

### Purposeful (0-10 each)

* [ ] Supports user goals
* [ ] Meets business goals
* [ ] Reflects brand voice
* [ ] Value proposition clear
* [ ] User-benefit focused
* [ ] Active, inviting framing

### Conversational (0-10 each)

* [ ] Natural, spoken language
* [ ] Active voice predominates
* [ ] Connecting words included
* [ ] Familiar words/phrases
* [ ] Appropriate personality

### Clear (0-10 each)

* [ ] Accurate action words
* [ ] Command forms appropriate
* [ ] Plain language
* [ ] Meaningful titles
* [ ] Consistent terminology

<Note>
  **Overall score calculation:**\
  Sum all individual scores and divide by number of criteria (22 total) for an overall 0-10 rating.
</Note>