How-To+Manuals

__** For Creating a How-To Manual or Instructional Text **__
 * A Step-by-Step Guide **

** Definition of the How-To Genre: ** A how-to genre is a simple to read, step-by-step set of instructions to assist consumers/readers in getting what they want out of the product via diagrams, pictures, and chronologically ordered steps. The reader of this genre will be completing a process with a start and a finish.

** Components of the How-To Genre: **
 * Numbered/Chronologically Ordered Steps
 * Diagrams and/or pictures used in place of text or used to support text
 * Text is simple to read: language geared toward a specific audience
 * Contact information(phone numbers and/or email addresses) for more help is provided
 * Cover page/title is included
 * Parts/materials/ingredients are listed (telling reader what he/she needs before beginning the step-by-step process)


 * Writer’s materials: **
 * Computer or paper and writing utensil
 * All materials for the “thing” you are creating instructions for (i.e. all parts for a Lego set, all food ingredients for a recipe, etc.)

Steps for Writers: **
 * 1) Refer to the list of materials above. Be sure you have all the necessary materials.
 * 2) Choose a topic for which you would like to give another person usage instructions (i.e. how to tie a shoe, how to build a Lego car, how to bake a cake, etc.).
 * 3) Do some research: find out what materials your reader will need to create the topic you chose in step 2.
 * 4) Begin your how-to instructions by making a list of the materials your reader will need. Label this list with the heading “Necessary Materials.”
 * 5) Practice your procedures: Before you write down your step-by-step instructions, practice doing these instructions. Make notes as you complete each step of the instructions.
 * 6) Carefully write down each step in your step-by-step instructions. Each step should be in chronological order. Each step should be written in the 2nd person (addressing the reader as “you”). Or, you can write each step as a command (not addressing the reader but telling them what to do).
 * 7) This list of instructions should be labeled with the heading “Step by Step Instructions.”
 * 8) After you have completed writing your instructions, practice them. Do each step in order; make notes on any changes you need to make.
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">After you have finished practicing your instructions, re-read them again. This time, proof-read them for any grammatical, punctuation, and/or spelling errors. Make any changes needed.
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">If you are able, ask another person to practice your instructions. Ask this person if you have left out any important information. Make any changes as needed.
 * 11) <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">Finally, consider how graphics might help guide your reader. How might diagrams, pictures, flowcharts, arrows, etc. help your reader better understand how to complete the task you are describing?
 * 12) <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">Insert graphics in appropriate places in your step-by-step instructions.
 * 13) <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">Now add the last two components to this genre: First, determine a place to put “contact information” for the reader to contact you for help. (A good place for this is at the bottom of the document’s last page or as a footer on all the document’s pages).
 * 14) <span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif';">Next, complete the document by giving it a title. This title can either be located at the top of the document’s first page or on a front cover page. The title should be short and should specifically tell the reader what he/she will learn to do in this document (i.e. “A Manual on How To Tie a Shoe” or “A Guide for Learning to Bake a Cherry Pie”).