• Instructional Guide Examples
• Writing A How To Manual
• Writing User Guides For Software
• Writing An Instructional Manual
• How To Write User Guide

A user guide, also commonly called a technical communication document or manual, is intended to give assistance to people using a particular system.^[1] It is usually written by a technical writer, although user guides are written by programmers, product or project managers, or other technical staff, particularly in smaller companies.^[2]

User guides are most commonly associated with electronic goods, computer hardware and software, although they can be written for any product.^[3]

Most user guides contain both a written guide and associated images. In the case of computer applications, it is usual to include screenshots of the human-machine interface(s), and hardware manuals often include clear, simplified diagrams. The language used is matched to the intended audience, with jargon kept to a minimum or explained thoroughly.

Contents of a user manual[edit]

The sections of a user manual often include:

Jun 04, 2007  Tips for writing user manuals. User manuals have a bad reputation. In a recent USA Today poll that asked readers 'Which technological things have the ability to confuse you?' User manuals came out top! Increasingly companies are rethinking the way they approach user manuals.

1. Feb 09, 2006  How to Write a Manual. Writing an instruction manual may seem like a daunting task, but it's easier than you think! These steps apply to any written instruction, from the very simple (How to Clap) to the intensely complicated (How to Build.
2. Instruction Manual Written by Dr. Create a 5-7 page guide instructing a nonexpert in how to use the system you are writing about. Include a graphic aid and at least one reference from the last three years. Two topics to your conference professor-VIA E-MAIL-anytime between Thursday, Sept. 25 and Tuesday, Sept.

Oct 22, 2018  They are also called User Manuals. When writing a User Guide, use simple language with short sentences. This writing style helps the user understand the application. Our User Guide templates can be used to create user guides, user manuals, getting started guides and other types of technical documents. A User Guide is an online or printed book. Nowadays, however, factory-supplied user guides are much more cursory and often in multiple languages, complicating your learning curve. To have a decent user guide is a precious commodity and if you know how to write one, this is a talent in great demand. It is simply a matter of mastering a few key principles.

• A cover page
• A title page and copyright page
• A preface, containing details of related documents and information on how to navigate the user guide
• A contents page
• A Purpose section. This should be an overview rather than detail the objective of the document
• An Audience section to explicitly state who is not as well as who is required to read, including optionals
• A Scope section is crucial as it also serves as a disclaimer, stating what is out-of-scope as well as what is covered
• A guide on how to use at least the main function of the system
• A troubleshooting section detailing possible errors or problems that may occur, along with how to fix them
• A FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
• Where to find further help, and contact details
• A glossary and, for larger documents, an index

Instructional Guide Examples

History[edit]

User guides have been found with ancient devices. One example is the Antikythera Mechanism^[4], a 2,000 year old Greek analogue computer that was found off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera in the year 1900. On the cover of this device are passages of text which describe the features and operation of the mechanism.

As the software industry was developing, the question of how to best document software programs was undecided. This was a unique problem for software developers, since users often became frustrated with current help documents^[5]. Some considerations for writing a user guide that developed at this time include:

• the use of plain language^[5]

• length and reading difficulty^[5]

• the role of printed user guides for digital programs^[6]

• user-centered design^[6]

Computer software manuals and guides[edit]

User manuals and user guides for most non-trivial software applications are book-like documents with contents similar to the above list. They may be distributed either in print or electronically. Some documents have a more fluid structure with many internal links. The Google Earth User Guide^[7] is an example of this format. The term guide is often applied to a document that addresses a specific aspect of a software product. Some usages are Installation Guide, Getting Started Guide, and various How to guides. An example is the Picasa Getting Started Guide.^[8]

In some business software applications, where groups of users have access to only a sub-set of the application's full functionality, a user guide may be prepared for each group. An example of this approach is the Autodesk Topobase 2010 Help^[9] document, which contains separate Administrator Guides, User Guides, and a Developer's Guide.

References[edit]

1. ^'Online Technical Writing: User Guides'. hcexres@io.com. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
2. ^Gary Blake and Robert W. Bly, The Elements of Technical Writing, pg. 143. New York: Macmillan Publishers, 1993. ISBN0020130856
3. ^'Manuals Brain - all useful manuals at one place!'. manualsbrain.com. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
4. ^'Boffins decipher manual for 2,000-year-old Ancient Greek computer'. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
5. ^ ^abcChafin, Roy (January 1982). 'User Manuals: What Does the User Really Need?'. SIGDOC '82 Proceedings of the 1st annual international conference on systems documentation: 36–39 – via ACM Digital Library.
6. ^ ^abMcKee, John (August 1986). 'Computer User Manuals in Print: Do They Have a Future?'. ACM SIGDOC Asterisk Journal of Computer Documentation. 12: 11–16 – via ACM Digital Library.
7. ^'Google Earth User Guide'. Google. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
8. ^'Getting Started with Picasa: Getting Started Guide'. Google. 15 June 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
9. ^'Autodesk Topobase 2010 Help'. Autodesk. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
10. ^Manualdevices - Free User Manual 'Manualdevices - Free User Manual ', Retrieved on 01 August 2019.

See also[edit]

In your day-to-day work, you might find that there are times when you need to provide a client with documentation that walks them through a process or teaches them how to do something they may be unfamiliar with.

Writing A How To Manual

I’ve mentioned before that I view writing skills as vitally important for everyone, in every business, and this is a prime example of why being able to write effectively is so important. If you can’t get the steps and details down on paper in an easy to understand and intuitive way, you will probably spend a great amount of time and frustration handling support requests and fixing things done incorrectly.

Moko keyboard for ipad 12.9 user manual. Amazon.com: MoKo Case for New iPad Pro 12.9 2017 - Slim Lightweight Smart-shell Stand Cover with Translucent Frosted Back Protector for Apple New iPad Pro 12.9 Inch 2017 Tablet, Rose GOLD (with Auto Wake/Sleep): Computers & Accessories. Dec 09, 2018  Apple iPad Pro 12.9 2018 manual user guide is a pdf file to discuss ways manuals for the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 2018.In this document are contains instructions and explanations on everything from setting up the device for the first time for users who still didn’t understand about basic function of. Become a MOKO product tester. PRODUCT DEMOS. Watch demo videos to see product features. Guaranteed Quality. 100% satisfaction from customers is our goal. FAST DELIVERY. We guarantee the products will be delivered to you fast and securely. 24/7 Support. Hardware iPad Pro reinforced with System-on-Chip (SoC) A12X Bionic, which was claimed to be more powerful than the upscale smartphone Apple, iPhone XS and XS Max, with a 35 percent increase on single core process and 90 percent faster in multi core activity. Support manual guide Apple iPad Pro 12.9. Nov 07, 2018  If you have an iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st or 2nd generation), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, or iPad Pro 9.7-inch: Connect your Smart Keyboard to your iPad Pro with the Smart Connector, which has three small, magnetic contacts. The Smart Connector is on the top edge of your Smart Keyboard and on the side of your iPad Pro. Then put your iPad in the Type position.

Writing User Guides For Software

Here are seven tips to help you create a comprehensive yet coherent instruction manual.

1. Get out of your own head: When you begin to prepare instructions for processes you know inside and out, you will need to consciously take a step back and approach the material from a new angle. Start at square one by assuming the audience will have zero knowledge of the subject matter.
2. Know the objective: Make sure you know exactly what your manual needs to cover in order to avoid information overload or confusion that can come from too many details. This is especially important when the process is complex or has a lot of different parts.
3. Outline it first: Before jumping in and creating steps, create a high-level outline of what the document will cover, including main and subsections. This will help you make sure your process makes sense and that each section of the manual is consistently structured.
4. Make it easy to understand: Lists are a great way to outline steps for doing something because they can help people move item by item in the way you intend. It’s also a good idea to use a table of contents and make your document searchable, if possible, to further support your step-by-step approach.
5. Be brief: It’s tempting to want to explain everything in fine detail since it’s material you know so well, but stick with only what the recipient needs to know. Focus on using only as many words as necessary to get your point across.
6. Use visual aids: Screenshots, diagrams and even videos are a great way to beef up your manual and make it easier to understand. Keep the formatting of these supporting materials consistent and to the point to avoid overwhelming the reader.
7. Give it a test drive: Or better yet, have someone else who has never seen the material before run through the instructions. Take their feedback and use it to fine tune your manual.

Writing An Instructional Manual

Keep in mind that you may need to review and update the manual periodically, especially if it’s something that focuses on a third-party application or other system you do not control. Plus, with some material, it may also make sense to offer the client a hands-on walk through to ensure your instructions accomplish what they need to accomplish. And keep in mind that learning styles vary, so one client may be able to run with the same instructions that confuse a different client. Being flexible in your format and delivery can help make sure the instructions work for the recipient.

How To Write User Guide

Do you ever provide clients with written instructions? What advice do you have?

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