YongjianWan UX Writing
Write clear, concise, and helpful interface copy.
Principles
- Clear: Say exactly what you mean. No jargon, no ambiguity.
- Concise: Use the fewest words that convey the full meaning.
- Consistent: Same terms for the same things everywhere.
- Useful: Every word should help the user accomplish their goal.
- Human: Write like a helpful person, not a robot.
Copy Patterns
CTAs
- Start with a verb: "Start free trial", "Save changes", "Download report"
- Be specific: "Create account" not "Submit"
- Match the outcome to the label
Error Messages
Structure: What happened + Why + How to fix
- "Payment declined. Your card was declined by your bank. Try a different card or contact your bank."
Empty States
Structure: What this is + Why it's empty + How to start
- "No projects yet. Create your first project to start collaborating with your team."
Confirmation Dialogs
- Make the action clear: "Delete 3 files?" not "Are you sure?"
- Describe consequences: "This can't be undone"
- Label buttons with the action: "Delete files" / "Keep files" not "OK" / "Cancel"
Voice and Tone
Adapt tone to context:
- Success: Celebratory but not over the top
- Error: Empathetic and helpful
- Warning: Clear and actionable
- Neutral: Informative and concise