wikiHow:Writer's Guide

These instructions will help you to write an article in our how-to format. Your first attempts don't need to be perfect. Everything is fixable. Just do your best and have fun.

For questions, feel free to contact the Help Team, post in the forums, ask in the wikiHow chat room or e-mail us.

Choosing a Topic

You can write an article about how to do almost anything. It can be very broad (like How to Sleep Better) or very specific (like How to Sleep Better when You Have a Long Illness).

If you don't know what to write about, check out How to Find a Subject to Write About at wikiHow for ideas.

Search wikiHow to see if someone has already written an article on the topic you have in mind. If you find one, edit it! Since this is a collaborative project, we want people to work together to build one high-quality page on a particular topic, rather than each person making their own page.

You can get details from other sites, as long as you put them in your own words and reference them.

Choosing a Title

Use the shortest title you can with the most common words to describe your article's content. Be specific.

Begin the title with a verb. Remember, the words How to are automatically added for you.

If you start an article with a mistake in the title, don't worry. Just write this at the very beginning of your article: {{title|new title}}

Replace the words "new title" with the correct title that you want. After you publish the article, an admin will change the title for you.

Introduction

Use the introduction to summarize the content of an article and draw the reader in. Keep it brief. Most introductions are from two to five sentences which will attract people to your article.

Try answering these questions in the introduction:

• Why would someone need to do what you're describing in the article? How and when would the instructions come in handy?
• What are the benefits of doing what you're about to teach the reader?
• What is the difference between your article and similar articles that already exist on wikiHow?

Steps

• Capitalize the first word of each sentence and end with a period (full stop).
• Use exclamation marks sparingly, and don't use more than one exclamation point or question mark at the end of a sentence.
• Avoid using ALL CAPS, shorthand or emoticons.
• 
  For emphasis, use italics. Just type two apostrophes before and after the text that you want to italicize.
• Let wikiHow number the steps for you. The numbers will be generated automatically by the # sign at the beginning of each step.
• There's no need to start with introductory words or phrases, such as "Then", "Now", or "Next".
• Make sure each step gives the reader something to do. Don't just describe something; give the reader an action to take. A good rule of thumb is to start each step with a verb, but this is just a guideline, not a requirement.
• Add details if someone new to the subject will need them. For example, "Fill the caulking gun" is not very helpful. For more detail you could write, "Point the nozzle of the caulking tube away from the trigger and insert it into the caulking gun."
• With each step, try explaining why that step needs to be taken. It can help the reader understand the process better. For instance, instead of writing "Put a lid on the pot" you could write "Put a lid on the pot so that steam builds up inside and cooks the rice."
• Avoid using first person. **Instead of writing "I like to sprinkle cinnamon on top" or "I recommend sprinkling cinnamon on top" write "Try sprinkling cinnamon on top."
  • Turn personal stories into instructions. Instead of writing "I put the heat up too high once and the eggs exploded" write "Keep the heat low or else the eggs might explode." You can share your personal experience with the topic on the discussion page for that article.
• 
  If you're logged in, try adding images by pressing any of the "Add Images" buttons. You'll be able to search for images we already have permission to use, or upload your own, but please don't use images taken by somebody else (e.g. Google Images) unless you have permission from the photographer.
  • 

    
    If you don't see those buttons, look for the "Image" button on the upper left.
• Don't add any links to other websites unless the link is
  • essential for the reader to complete the task or
  • a reputable source of information (government websites, scientific studies, educational institutions, print magazines, newspapers) or
  • attribution for instructions shared directly from a page on your site (see How to Share Your Copyrighted Article on wikiHow)

Video

Embed a related video to clarify instructions. Provide a brief description of the video to tell readers what to expect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LyqKAIDxio&feature=player_embedded

Tips

Include advice that is helpful, but not essential to accomplishing a task. Use the Tips section to clarify common mistakes or misconceptions or suggest alternatives. For example, "Add a little more sugar if you want it sweeter."

Let wikiHow add the bullets for you. In wiki syntax, create bullets by putting an asterisk (*) at the beginning of the line.

Warnings

Include precautions with possible solutions. For example, "Always wear goggles when using power tools."

Use "never" or "do not" to signify extreme danger. Example: "Never mix chlorine bleach with other cleaning fluids, because the mixture emits a lethal gas."

Not all articles need warnings.

Things You'll Need

• Include a list of non-food supplies, such as a hammer and nails.
• Do not include non-physical things like patience, time, courage, or creativity. If you want to talk about these things, write that in the tips.

Ingredients

• Include a list of foods needed for recipes.
• List other types of ingredients for homemade cleaning preparations, perfumes, etc.
• Provide alternatives for items that may be difficult to find.
• List non-food supplies, such as bowls and baking sheets, in Things You'll Need.

Add Related wikiHows

• Add related links to helpful wikiHow articles.
• Example: How to Add a Photo to a wikiHow Article Using Flickr