Be Forgiving

This is a companion to the previous principle. While it is important to give the reader immediate, informative feedback to make them aware of the consequences of their interactions, it is equally important that their actions be reversible and that their mistakes be forgivable. The reader must feel that they are in control of the text, and not vice-versa. Failure to create this impression has the immediate effect of reducing reader interactivity, and the larger effect of discouraging conjecture and creativity. Return paths and "erase" procedures should be clearly indicated.