7.3.5-1 Warning Message Content

Warning messages should draw users' attention to the goal of the action, not just to the action.

Additional Information:
Actions may be described in many levels of detail. Often error messages are not effective because they are directed toward the wrong level of detail, so that the description of what is wrong may not match the user's understanding of what was done. An alternative is to allow the user to interrogate the warning. For example, the initial warning could be given at a very high level, corresponding to the system's understanding of the user's intent but then could allow the user to obtain information at lower, more detailed levels, such as describing how the action was performed and why it was inappropriate for the goal.