Table 1. Taxonomy of Affective Instructional Sentences in User Documentation
Level Function Category Users' Affective Behaviors
(Symptoms)
Writers' Instructional Speech Acts
(Remedies)
3 REASSURING
Users

(in order to overcome resistance and to encourage acceptance)

a Feeling enthusiasm vs. displeasure Affirming final outcome as successful
b Feeling empowered vs. helpless Reinforcing users' perceived self-efficacy
c Showing acceptance vs. resistance Affirming to users that "It's never your fault"
d Feeling hopeful vs. feeling dread Minimizing the appearance of loss or waste of time
e Feeling satisfied vs. feeling dissatisfied Pointing out the information value of all search results
2 ADVISING
Users

(in order to counteract anxiety and build positive attitudes)

a Feeling trust vs. fear of failure Suggesting priorities among options or strategies
b Experiencing fun vs. tedium Sharing convenient tips and information
c Feeling confident vs. anxious Giving users feedback (what will happen if...)
d Experiencing clarity vs. confusion Identifying something on a diagram or giving an example
1 ORIENTING
Users

(in order to reduce anger and maintain reality check)

a Being patient vs. impatient Telling how long something will take (secs./mins.)
b Feeling anticipation vs. frustration Telling users what are some common errors
c Being cautious vs. angry Telling users which actions are reversible and non-reversible
d Having realistic expectations vs. being disappointed Telling users what is likely to happen
e Feeling guided vs. lost Calling attention to similarities and groupings
f Feeling appreciative vs. not being helped Showing concern for users technical difficulties
g Being realistic vs. feeling disappointment Telling users what are reasonable outcomes
h Feeling being taken care of vs. left on one's own Telling users how the information is organized (e.g., sub-titles, etc.)

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