A useful lense for UX writing

Don Norman’s The Design of Everyday Things hands us a map: seven stages of action. It’s how humans move from wanting something to judging if they got it. First, you form a goal—say, sending an email. Then, intention sharpens: draft that message. Next, you pick an action—hit “compose.” Execution follows: fingers tap the keys. After that, you perceive the world—did the screen change? Interpretation kicks in: does “sent” mean success? Finally, evaluation: mission accomplished or botched? It’s a cycle, and writing for interfaces can dance to its tune.

Here’s the trick: words grease every step. Vague labels muddle intention—“new” could mean anything. Clunky phrasing stalls execution—think “proceed to initiate” versus “start.” If feedback’s cryptic—“operation completed”—users squint at the state of the world, lost. Writing’s job? Make each beat hum. Clear goals spark with verbs: “share” beats “distribute content.” Actions shine when options are scannable—three buttons, not ten. Perception and interpretation lean on crisp confirmation: “Message sent” trumps “done.”

Norman’s stages are somewhat abstract but they can be a useful checklist when you're seeking clarity. At every turn, ask: Are my words nudging the goal? Guiding the action? Reflecting the outcome? Miss one, and the cycle stumbles.

Master that rhythm, and your words don’t trip users up.