Writing Effective How-To Articles that Aren't Boring

The Internet has become a great resource for learning how to do anything, from speaking a foreign language to replacing the inner tube in your bicycle tire. While some of these how-to articles are dull and fail to generate enthusiasm for learning a new task, the how-to article can be a great read that entertains as it teaches a skill. And if you write engaging how-to articles for your website, readers are likely to bookmark the site and return repeatedly.

"Write what you know" is a missive that is repeated so often it risks losing all meaning. But it's also true. If you don't know much about the procedure you are teaching, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to successfully teach others about it. If you are a professional caterer, you're probably going to be more successful writing an article about how to make a simple, one-egg cake than in writing about how to drain your car engine's crank case. It also helps if you are genuinely enthusiastic about the subject you want to teach your reader about. Write in a confident tone. This will help inspire confidence in your reader.

At the beginning of your article, tell the reader what tools and supplies he needs. That way he won't have to break off the process midway through in order to track down a t-square. Make sure you are clear what the tools are. You could include a picture of some of the tools near the beginning of the article in case your reader doesn't know what a t-square is.

When it is time to write down step-by-step instructions, be clear what you are teaching your reader to accomplish. Don't call it "Baking 101," call it "Making a Chocolate Cake from Scratch."

It is important that you keep your directions clear and simple. Some processes that you think of as one step might be clearer for your reader if they are broken down further.

For example, if you're teaching a beginner to bake, instead of saying, "separate the egg," you could say, "Gently crack open the egg shell. Holding it over a small bowl, open the shell just enough to allow the egg white to escape while keeping the yolk inside the shell. This process gets much easier with practice, and eventually you'll be able to do it one-handed. But for now, a slow and deliberate pace will get you through this step."

You should provide metaphorical signposts throughout your instructions letting the reader know what should have happened by now. For example, "Beat the egg whites with a hand mixer for three minutes. By that time, they should have formed white, frothy peaks that are not too dry." Sometimes what is obvious to you is a total mystery to your reader. The more complex the tasks you are writing about, the more often you need to include these touch points.

Make your instructions flow logically. Two ways of doing this are numbering the steps, or linking them with words like "Next," or "Now." Numbered instructions will free you from the need to make complex grammatical statements, and may be easier for your reader, since she can check off the steps as she goes. Numbered steps may also keep you on track so that you don't end up leaving out something.

Your goal is to take your reader through an entire process step by clear step. Before posting your how-to, if you are able, enlist in the help of a friend or family member who is unfamiliar with the process you are writing about, and have them try to perform the task. They will be able to offer you insight as to which terms are not widely known, and what steps are not clear.

Finally, before you post your how-to, think of a great title for it. The Internet is rife with how-tos, so you need to make yours stand above the masses. A how-to titled, "Choosing the Clothes that Will Get you the Job," is less dull than, "Dressing for a Job Interview."

Finally, if you are tasked with writing a how-to and you encounter writer's block, here is how to cope. First, realize that all writers experience blocked creativity sometimes. Second, since it is just you and your computer, give yourself permission to write a rough draft that is just that: rough. Often, getting the words down, then letting them rest while you go get a sandwich or pick up the kids from school, will let you approach the task again later with fresh insight.

Get the steps written down. Then go back later and edit the text to make it flow. Allowing your first draft to be far less than perfect will have the effect of lifting a burden from your mind and freeing you up to write a how-to article that will endear you to your readers.