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Writing Instructional Materials
Instructional materials are crucial
for every organization, its employees, and its customers. When these
materials are well written, they make everyone’s life a little easier.
On the other hand, anyone who’s ever struggled through a poorly written
instruction manual for an appliance or electronic device knows how
frustrating that can be. You can make your instructions as clear as
possible by following these tips.
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Know your subject. If
you don’t understand your material, how can you expect to explain it to
others? Practice following your own directions to make sure they are
easy to follow and include every necessary step.
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Remember your
audience. If your instructions are for the general public,
avoid technical slang and jargon. Remember to write in plain English,
with each step clearly explained.
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Organize your
information into three parts.
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Include an
introduction that lists necessary materials.
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Provide step-by-step
instructions.
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Give any final
reminders or warnings.
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Be
complete. Include everything that the least knowledgeable
person in your audience will need to know. Readers who don’t need
certain details will skip over them, while those who do need them will
be glad for your thoroughness.
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Include
any graphics, photos, or drawings that will help the reader. A
picture can be a great help in showing what is to be done—and how.
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Your primary goal
in writing instructions is clarity. Writing clear instructions is your
responsibility, and your efforts will be appreciated by your readers.
UpWrite Press Offers Personal
Coaching for Business Writing Skills
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What's
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UpWrite Press offers a variety
of personal coaching plans that teach traits and techniques of business
writing.
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Our personal coaching delivers real
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August Writer’s Forum Topic
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Who writes your training
materials? Do you have an on-site writer, or do you hire the
job out? What advantages/disadvantages have you found for the way you
handle this job?
Email
your response to writersforum@upwritepress.com.
Write “August Forum” in the subject line, and you could see your reply
in the eTips Mid-Month Mini!
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Writing News Releases
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Now there are four
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Weblog dose of writing help!
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1. Tune
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2. Blog
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Products
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eTips is a publication
of UpWrite Press, Inc., P.O. Box 460, Burlington, Wisconsin 53105.
Copyright © 2006, UpWrite Press. All rights reserved. Visit www.upwritepress.com.
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