| Type | Ask | Smell |
|---|---|---|
| Button | Does it name the action? | Submit, OK, Continue when the destination is unclear. |
| Label | Does it name the required information? | Placeholder used as the only label. |
| Helper | Does it prevent likely mistakes? | Explains obvious things but misses constraints. |
| Error | Does it explain recovery? | Invalid, failed, something went wrong. |
| Empty state | Does it explain absence and next step? | No data. |
Fast rewrite rules
- Replace generic verbs with specific actions.
- Replace blame with recovery.
- Replace internal jargon with user language.
- Replace vague absence with cause and next step.
- For destructive actions, include the object name.