So, you’ve just enrolled into ENC 4265 Writing for the Computer Industry at UCF. You have some ideas of what this course entails but would love tips from someone (other than the professor) who “knows the ropes” or who, at least, is familiar with them. Enter: me.
Since the Procedure Video assignment is freshest in my mind (having literally just completed it minutes ago), allow me to give you a few tips on how to approach this course to-do.
Tip 1 - Study supplementary material
Your textbook isn't the only place to learn from. Professor Johnson offers other practical resources to help with course assignments. For the Procedure Video, I found this article on how to make a good tutorial video very useful. In it, you’ll learn the seven essentials to include in your video:
Clarity
Flow
Pacing
Cognitive Load
Appeal
Tone
Presentation
While a Procedure Video is more to-the-point and doesn’t need the “why” of each step unlike a typical tutorial, these seven essentials provide an excellent starting point in crafting an effective video.
Out of the seven essentials, pacing is something that might need extra focus. In normal conversation, we tend to speak fast. But, when demonstrating a procedure, we must slooowww dowwwn. Because unfamiliar steps are involved for viewers, it’s important to speak at a slower pace. This applies even more where non-native speakers are involved.
Tone is a topic that especially resonated with me. The goal of narrating your Procedure Video is not to sound overly excited or monotone. Either of these tones can be annoying to listeners. Rather, try speaking with a neutral, informative, and inviting tone. The article mentions smiling as you read your script to sound happy. I promise you–this works!
Tip 2 - Know your subject matter
Aside from the article, my own advice is to know your subject matter. This might seem to go without saying. But, understanding how to do a task yourself and understanding how to teach that same task to someone else are two different things! You need to know the correct terminology of items. You also must know whether your method of normally doing the task is the best way.
Tip 3 - Don't procrastinate
Another tip is to avoid procrastinating. This might seem like an assignment you can do in your sleep (and for some students, it may be close to that), but chances are you’ll have technological issues. Because I knew I wasn’t familiar with recording videos (aside from doing so on my iPhone), I made sure to start tackling this assignment as soon as possible. And I’m glad I did because navigating Zoom and YouTube was a bit tricky.
Tip 4 - Script it
Also, do not underestimate the power of a script. When the record button starts, it can be a bit nerve-wrecking to think clearly. Having a well-written script nearby is so useful because it keeps you focused on the correct ideas and enables your instructions to flow logically. Additionally, I found that it kept me from overusing filler words like “uh” or “like.”
Tip 5 - Go get Uncle Bob
Perhaps the best tip is to have someone watch your video and follow along with the procedure. Grab a friend, classmate, or even Uncle Bob. Ask them if anything seems unclear. Even inquire about what works great. After all, the purpose of a Procedure Video is to guide others.
Happy filming!