Microcopy Review Template

# Microcopy Review Template

Product area: [Screen, flow, or feature]
Audience: [Who sees this copy]
Target tone: [plain / calm / friendly / direct]
Reviewer: [Name]
Review date: [Date]

Screen context:
- What is the user trying to do? [Goal]
- What happened immediately before this copy appears? [State]
- What should the user do next? [Action]
- What risk exists if the copy is misunderstood? [Low / medium / high]

| Surface | Current copy | User state | Tone issue | Rewrite option | Final decision |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Button | [Current label] | [Ready to act] | [Too vague / fine] | [Clear action label] | [Use / revise] |
| Error | [Current error] | [Task blocked] | [Blame / pressure / jargon] | [Calm next action] | [Use / revise] |
| Empty state | [Current text] | [No data yet] | [No next step] | [Explain first step] | [Use / revise] |
| Helper text | [Current helper] | [Needs guidance] | [Too long / unclear] | [Short instruction] | [Use / revise] |

Tone checks:
- [ ] The line names the next action or state.
- [ ] The line avoids blame, shame, or dramatic urgency.
- [ ] The line avoids private details in visible UI text.
- [ ] The line works beside the real button, field, or screen.
- [ ] The line is short enough for the component without hiding meaning.
- [ ] The final copy has an owner for product, brand, accessibility, or legal review when needed.

Rewrite notes:
- Short version: [Option]
- Calmer version: [Option]
- More direct version: [Option]
- Final version: [Chosen copy]

Boundary reminders:
- Do not use this template as legal, accessibility, compliance, medical, financial, or safety approval.
- For high-stakes account, billing, privacy, or regulated screens, route the copy through the proper review process.
- Check localization and truncation separately when the product supports multiple languages.