UX Writing Patterns
Buttons
| Action | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Save data | Save | Submit |
| Remove item | Remove | Delete |
| Confirm action | Confirm order | OK |
| Cancel action | Cancel | Go back |
| Navigate | View details | Click here |
Form Labels
- 'Email address' not 'Email:'
- 'Password (8+ characters)' not 'Password'
- Mark optional fields, not required ones
- Sentence case, not Title Case
System Messages
| Type | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Brief, confident | 'Changes saved' |
| Error | Empathetic, helpful | 'Couldn't connect. Check your network.' |
| Warning | Clear, actionable | 'This action cannot be undone.' |
| Info | Neutral, contextual | 'Your trial ends in 5 days.' |
Conversational UI
- Don't pretend the bot is human
- Set expectations: 'I can help with X, Y, and Z'
- Offer escape: 'Talk to a person' always available
- Confirm understanding: 'You want to [action]. Is that right?'
- Handle failure gracefully: 'I'm not sure I understood. Try rephrasing?'