The literature has shown that constructing a syllabus

that is user-friendly contributes greatly to its success.

Slattery and Carlson (2005) report that user-friendly

syllabi are "associated with positive student outcomes"

because "students see themselves as active participants

rather than passive recipients in the learning process."

"User-friendly" means that the syllabus is designed

not so that it intimidates students, but rather it gives

them a sense of encouragement through its tone

and layout