Of course, there are many other kinds of books in the world and it may be that you wish to follow a completely different path and have a desire to write a manual (be it instructive or otherwise) or even become a technical author. There are different skills needed in each case.
If you are considering writing an instruction manual, before embarking on the task it is imperative that you can do the procedure you are about to have others do. You may need access to experts that have more information than you and who know the pitfalls that could be encountered by less experienced people when they attempt to perform the task. This is clearly visible in the computer-world where one typing error could lead to catastrophic consequences. DON’T be tempted to write it in the format of a novel. There is nothing worse than reading something resembling an essay when it is quite clear what you are trying to achieve can so easily be broken down into distinct steps.
1. Describe and number each stage leaving gaps for later additions.
2. When you’ve finished, go back and see if it can be broken down into sections. If so, label them accordingly.
3. Insert a table of contents, if needed.
4. When you think you’ve finished, perform the task yourself or if this is impossible, get someone else to do it for you. This is imperative.
5. Finally, update the manual so that it reflects and a true and error-free instruction set.
It’s as simple as ABC!!
If you are considering writing an instruction manual, before embarking on the task it is imperative that you can do the procedure you are about to have others do. You may need access to experts that have more information than you and who know the pitfalls that could be encountered by less experienced people when they attempt to perform the task. This is clearly visible in the computer-world where one typing error could lead to catastrophic consequences. DON’T be tempted to write it in the format of a novel. There is nothing worse than reading something resembling an essay when it is quite clear what you are trying to achieve can so easily be broken down into distinct steps.
1. Describe and number each stage leaving gaps for later additions.
2. When you’ve finished, go back and see if it can be broken down into sections. If so, label them accordingly.
3. Insert a table of contents, if needed.
4. When you think you’ve finished, perform the task yourself or if this is impossible, get someone else to do it for you. This is imperative.
5. Finally, update the manual so that it reflects and a true and error-free instruction set.
It’s as simple as ABC!!