I already bought the thing, and I’m only looking in the manual because I can’t figure out what’s wrong with the non-working piece of junk, so I don’t really want to read a chipper note congratulating me on my purchase.
People hate reading instructions, and will only glance at them after they are already frustrated and behind schedule. Write for busy grouches who want to jump directly to the section that they think will help them solve their specific problem. (Omit the warm and fuzzy introductions.)
This document introduces five basic principles about writing instructions. Any professional writing textbook will have a long section on writing how-to guides, checklists, and manuals, but the basics are:
I’m still teaching journalism and my usual courses, but after 21 years I’ve stepped aside…
A Brazilian couple bought a deforested ranch and spent decades planting over 2 million trees.…
A little over a century ago, the printer T.J. Cobden-Sanderson took it upon himself to surreptitiously dump…
A quick Sunday visit to #fortligonier with my history-loving son.
The choreographer daughter is doing a thing.
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