Expert: Susan Rand - 8/24/2005

Question
Ms. Rand,
   I was wondering what kind of advise you might offer to someone who would like to write a how-to piece?  I'm not sure where to go with organizing date and how to present the data?  The subject of my writing is a how-to guide on scrapbooking.

Answer
Hello Melanie:

"How-to" material is best presented chronologically: what to do first, what to do second, etc. Not all readers will follow this process, instead they will start in the middle and work both ways; nevertheless, this is the best way to describe a process.

Go to http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/process.html (You will have to cut and paste as this site does not support hyperlinks) you will find there another process essay, explaining how to write a process essay! Just follow those directions and you'll soon find your material organized. If you need more help, come back.

I hope this helps. If it does, a nice rating would be greatly appreciated. I am proud of my high score over 570+ questions.

And good luck with your writing!