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Last Updated: May 30, References. To create this article, 33 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed , times. Learn more These steps apply to any written instruction, from the very simple How to Clap to the intensely complicated How to Build a Semiconductor.
To write a manual, break the process you're trying to outline down into easy, digestible chunks so that readers can follow along step-by-step. Also, make sure your manual follows a logical sequence so that readers can do everything in order without having to skip around between sections. To help organize your manual, include a table of contents at the beginning so readers know exactly where to find the information they're looking for.
For tips on how to research the topic of your manual, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Popular Categories. Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies. Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues. Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games. All Categories.
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Part 1. This is key. It may seem self-evident, but knowledge is the key to writing a successful manual. Talk to experts. If your role is simply the writer rather than the subject matter expert, involve knowledgeable people throughout the process and make sure they review your work.
Their knowledge and advice is invaluable. Try a hands-on approach. If possible, doing the thing you are writing about will, at the very least, give you a feel for what the user will want to learn. Read up on the subject. Learn to talk the talk, and become conversant in the product you are writing about. Manuals of similar products will show you how other writers have tackled the subject. Look for similarities among the writers, which indicates both common functionality and common approaches to describing something.
Look for differences that stand out. Those are likely to be functions that are unique to a given product. Your product may or may not include those functions, or may have alternate ways of solving the problem that you can describe, enhancing the value of your product. While your job may be writing a how-to, showing the customers the value of their purchase is a great way to encourage them to continue reading.
Devour trade magazines. Find out how the people who use the products work with them day-to-day. They may wish there was a function that solved their particular problem, and if your product is the solution, that needs to be highlighted.
Part 2. Break it down. Whether a simple step-by-step instruction sheet, or a manual for a 35mm digital camera, breaking it down into digestible chunks has several benefits: It lets you focus on individual parts of the whole. Your goal is to familiarize the user with how to learn the process.
How to perform the function can be left for a tutorial at the end, if desired, or left for the user to discover on their own. Follow a logical sequence. This is especially useful if you do not know the subject matter well.
Use this as your template for your table of contents. Review your steps. Gather your supplies. Part 3. Write the introduction. Will it be light and amusing, or straightforward and no-nonsense?
It depends on your readership. Establish the tone early and keep that tone throughout the manual. Perform each step as you write. Not only does this give your writing the air of honesty and authenticity, you also ensure nothing will get left out.
If, for some reason, it isn't feasible to do the steps, think them through thoroughly and consult somebody who is an expert. Number the steps. This makes it easier for people to follow along, and to refer back to should they lose their place. Remember to renumber your steps if you add more in. Include tips and warnings. Test it out. Using only your written instructions, do the thing you are writing about.
Should you find places where your instructions are lacking, add in the necessary information. Repeat this step until you have all the steps and can do what you are teaching without having to add notes.
Consider having a friend or two use the manual. Watch them closely when they learn how to use the product. See where they zip through it. See where they get lost, confused, or fail at the task. Listen to what they have to say, then adjust your manual accordingly.
Proofread your manual. Part 4. Start at the top level. Once you have all the necessary steps detailed, go through your manual to find the obvious category heads. Write a Table of Contents, if applicable. Look at the way wikiHow is laid out as an example.
The main page offers many section heads. When you access a section, it lists many subcategories, and the subcategories list articles. The more detailed your manual is, the more categories and subcategories you will need. Proofread again. Yes, you did it thoroughly once already. How do I do a table of contents for a manual for how to own your own business? If you are writing the manual in a chronological order finish writing the manual first.
Then, make the table of contents in the order of the steps by page number. We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more.
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