28 Important Knacks to Improve Patterns

Abstract

In this paper, we propose knacks for creating pattern languages that encourage readers to practice. The knacks were extracted from Takashi Iba as an expert in pattern language creation and members of Iba laboratory, to investigate their process of improving patterns. In this research, we present four of the 28 extracted knacks. The first one is "include the perspectives of surrounding people when you explain the Problem". The second one is "Avoid abstract expressions and the reader can concretely imagine a real action". The third one is "Not to over-specialize your pattern for the reader to practice the pattern easily". The last one is "Be careful that the essence of the Problem is the situation, not human behaviour itself". The extracted 28 knacks could be used in the pattern creation process, thus it contributes to the improvement of the pattern to make it easier for the reader to practice the pattern. At the end, this paper includes summaries and descriptions of all 28 knacks as an appendix.