Re: seeking advice on the best way to phrase an error message

["Mike Starr" <mikestarr-techwr-l -at- writestarr -dot- com>]

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Tracy Taylor" <ipsque -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 6:41 PM
Subject: seeking advice on the best way to phrase an error message

> Hiya -
>
> I'm trying to find the best way to phrase a specific error message in a 
> common situation.  Basically, the application has a form that the user 
> needs to enter, and let's say he or she leaves a field empty - in this 
> case, it's Phone Number.
>
> I've read up quite a bit on error messages, and know not to use an 
> accusatory tone, to keep them concise, to explain the error and how to 
> recover from it.  But it seems to me that this very common situation, 
> where a user leaves a field empty, someone must have already come up with 
> the perfect error message.
>
> Current error message in the app I'm working in is:  "Phone Number is 
> required and must have a value."  It's not the worst way to say it, 
> especially for a system generated error message, but I'm wondering if 
> there is a better way.
>
> Here's what Amazon said in a similar situation:
> "Important Messages
>
> There is a slight problem with your order. (See below.)
>
>
>
>
> You didn't enter a phone number. Please enter your full phone number 
> below."
>
> This isn't bad, but it's very wordy.  Also, though the words "slight 
> problem" aren't so bad, "You didn't enter a phone number" is a little 
> blamey.
>
>
> I was going to suggest "Phone Number is required.  Please enter a Phone 
> Number."   Not the most concise thing in the world, but polite, explains 
> the error and what to do about it.
>
> But I was wondering if the group has any better advice?  Thanks, Tracy
>
>
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