Today we looked at UX Writing. This is the writing that makes up content. It shapes how content is interpreted and how it impacts users.
We talked about what UX writing really means in practice. Writing, formatting, structure, tone, all working together to help the user do something. A big part of it is ensuring users don’t need to re-read anything. If they have to, something isn’t working. It should help them achieve a task efficiently and confidently, no matter their background or ability. There’s something really thoughtful about that, it's writing that makes people feel supported without even noticing it.
We also compared UX writing with traditional copywriting. I always thought they were basically the same, but now I see the distinction clearly. UX writing is about enabling interaction, it tells users what to do and helps them do it. Copywriting, on the other hand, is more about persuasion and brand identity. They compliment each other, but they don’t serve the same purpose. It’s interesting to think about how both skills are valuable in design, just in different ways.
Formatting played a big role in our discussion too, summaries, callouts, visual aids, bullet points, bold text, and so on. It made me smile a little because those are the exact techniques I already use in my notes here. Without knowing it, I think I’ve been doing a form of UX writing already by making my notes clearer, structured, and scannable. It’s nice when things connect like that, it makes the learning feel natural rather than forced.
We also looked at success messages and microcopy within interfaces, especially button text. Something as small as the phrasing in a button can completely change a user’s experience, “Reserve” vs “Book now” vs “Complete reservation.” Airbnb was a good example of how thoughtful microcopy builds trust and clarity. Buttons seem simple, but they really are tiny moments of decision-making and emotion. The more I see, the more I appreciate how precise this work needs to be.
We were tasked with conducting a mini microcopy audit on a website of our choosing. As a group we decided to have a look at Slice’s website, it felt fitting as they were one of the companies who came in to carry out a placement talk. This was quite a fun task, I felt I was good at spotting the microcopy and identifying what worked and why and what didn’t. We ended up identifying loads of different cases of microcopy used and it demonstrated to me the importance and impact that it can have on the users experience. You can see some of what we identified below.
