Tips on Writing Instructional Articles

Instructional articles inform readers how to perform tasks or accomplish necessary repairs. The readers are seeking information on how to do something, and they need clear, concise instructions. More people are working toward self-sufficiency, or at least toward less reliance on outside contractors. They turn to writers to provide them with information on how to get things done.

As a writer, you may want to tap into this market. As more people turn to informational how-to articles for help, you want your articles to stand out. Use these tips on writing How-To articles to benefit from this growing market.

Start with an introductory paragraph
Explain precisely and concisely what the task or project is and how the reader can accomplish this task. For example, if the subject is repairing a hole in the wall, explain that the reader is going to cut away drywall and replace it with a new section of drywall. The first paragraph tells the reader if you are going to provide the information he needs.

Don't assume knowledge on the reader's part
One of the more common mistakes made in instructional articles is the author assumes the reader already knows quite a bit about the subject. Explain any term that is not common knowledge, and provide information on any specialty tools needed. Following along with the wall repair, do not assume your reader knows what a wall stud is or what tool is needed to find the stud.

But don't talk down to the reader either
It's a fine line between providing necessary detail and talking down to the reader. If you instruct the reader to hammer in a nail, do not instruct the reader to "hold the hammer in your hand and bring down the flat part of the hammer's head down onto the nail several times until the nail is pushed into the wall." If he needs that information, he should seek out your other article: "How to Use a Hammer to Drive in Nails."

Make each step an action
Break down the actual instructional section of the article into steps. Start each step with one specific action, such as "Use a putty knife to apply the joint compound to the seams of the newly inserted piece of drywall." Follow that sentence with details about the action. For example, follow the sentence with "Scoop out a small amount of joint compound, enough to cover approximately 1-to-2 inches of the tip of the drywall knife. Hold the knife at a 45 degree angle to the wall and move the knife along the seam of the drywall patch." If each step explains a specific part of the process, the reader is able to envision the process. Whether you use numbered steps or a paragraph format, use precise, actionable language.

Provide follow-up information
Conclude the article with tips on how to clean the tools and store extra materials, or with follow-up information such as "Paint a few inches beyond the patch to blend the new paint with the older paint." As the author, you have an opportunity to demonstrate to the reader that you are an expert, a professional, and that he should seek out your articles when he needs to learn something new. Follow-up information also provides you with an opportunity to link to other articles on related topics, which leads to increased income.