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Dr JOHN ANNE
Guidelines to Writing a Complete Informative Article
The web has made life very much simpler, there's no denying that. But what actually on the web has made it so indispensable. If you think about it, the biggest advantage of the Internet is being able to find out whatever information you want. You can just sit at your computer and find out about virtually everything known to man. This information is contained in millions of websites over websites and is accessible with a simple search on an engine like Google. The Internet has also made people more daring and more self-reliant. No longer do people call professionals for small things around their homes. The Internet is replete with articles on how to do about any kind of humanly possible job.
Such articles are called as how-to articles. They are the articles with the heaviest traffic. There are always thousands of people worldwide who are seeking information on how to do something or the other. These articles range from ‘how to sew a button’ to ‘how to assemble your own car’. Even if readers finally end up calling an expert to do the job, they will definitely want to read about it on the net first, so that they have some information on how the job is done.
Writing 'how-to' is no easy job. Writing them is quite different from writing general information articles. You have to make it possible for the readers to do the job on their own. For this, you need to follow a particular type of format and style. The following are some important tips and pointers on how to write how-to articles:-
1. Equip yourself with the information
Obviously if you are going to write a how-to article, you must know how to do the job first. If you don't know it, do not despair. You can find the required information on the net. Read about ten to fifteen articles on the subject till you have understood thoroughly. When doing research, you will find that no article represents all the information. This is what you will have to rectify in your article.
2. Select the best method
There are chances that you will find several ways to do the job on the net. You must select one that is not only simple and practical to do, but also economical and free of potential hazards. It is advisable to put a disclaimer at the end if there is some risk involved in the job.
3. Use simple language and format
When you sit down to actually write the how-to article, be sure to write everything in a direct manner without any scope for confusion. Use small sentences, and do not use any proverbs or idioms. It is always best to represent your how-to article in point or bullet format with small imperative sentences. For example, write ‘Put the sliced cucumbers in the mixer’ instead of ‘You must put the sliced cucumbers in the mixer’. Your language must be firm, but at the same time not too commanding.
4. Do not confuse the reader
Even if your article is written in a simple language, there may be practical difficulties in the method itself, which could make it confusing for the reader. When writing the article, imagine yourself doing what you are writing. Do not make the reader do two things simultaneously, or do something that is not possible. You must write things in the proper sequence.
5. Do not add suspense
It is a very bad idea to use dramatic suspense in a how-to article. At every step you must make it clear to the reader what he or she must expect. Even in the beginning, tell the reader how the final product will turn out to be. If it is going to be different from the standard ones in any way, you must let your readers know. Always open with this idea to the reader. When you are writing your individual points, always write what they should expect when they do what you say.
When you write a how-to article, you are performing the role of a teacher. Not only are you providing information to your readers, but you are also telling them to do something. Keep this in mind and rest assured, you will churn out a good article for all the independent people out there.
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