6 Methods of Presentation

Icons

With icons, beginning users may make good initial guesses of command meanings, quickly identify which command they are seeking, and better recall command meanings during subsequent use of the same system.

— Robert Krull

Icons are small graphics, usually placed in the margin, which are used to identify certain types of information, such as warning or caution notes. The same icon is repeated each time that type of information is presented. Readers quickly learn to associate the icon with the type of information. Some common and not-so-common icons, and the type of information they might represent, are shown below. These icons were obtained from click-art sources:

	Checklist of items		Special note
	Filing instructions		Step-by-step procedures
	Calculation instructions or sample calculations		Hazardous materials
	Backup instructions		Warning or caution note