How to Write a How-To Article

How-to articles are popular and easy to write. If you want to start writing articles for magazines and web pages, these articles are a good way to get started. You don’t need to be an expert in every topic you want to write about, you just have to be willing to learn and research the subjects that interest you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Paper
• Pencil/pen
• Access to a computer

1. Choose your topic and research it well. It is important that you know every step before explaining it to someone else.
2. Include a complete list of all tools and materials required. Your reader doesn’t want to find out he needs something halfway through the project.
3. Use the imperative voice. In other words, tell your reader what to do instead of suggesting it.
4. Explain to the reader how much work the project requires. Include approximate time and physical exertion so your reader is foreworn before starting the project.
5. Make every step clear and concise.
6. Define terms that may be unfamiliar to your reader. It is preferable to define the terms in the narrative itself.
7. Every few steps let the reader know what he should have accomplished so he can go back and fix any mistakes before continuing.
8. A picture is worth a thousand words. Photographs and illustrations help your reader understand the more difficult steps in the project.
9. Include all appropriate and necessary warnings.
10. At the end of the article congratulate your reader for finishing the project and encourage him to try again if the project didn’t come out right.
11. Don’t forget to check your grammar and spelling!!!

Tips & Warnings

• Have fun with your articles.
• Choose subjects that really interest you.
• When submitting, don't be afraid of rejection letters, is just a part of life.