Edit Article

In a wikiHow article, each step should be instructional to provide the reader with something to do to accomplish the task outlined in the title. One of the many ways to do this is to begin each step with a verb. Here are a few suggestions:

Ad

EditSteps

  1. 1
    Instruct the reader with words such as:
    Begin Each wikiHow Step with a Verb Step 1
    • purchase, gather, obtain
    • incorporate, mix, add
    • cut, sew, chop
    • repeat, do not, avoid, allow, ask
    • acknowledge, understand, remember, be aware
    • write, type, record
    Ad
  2. 2
    Avoid words such as:
    Begin Each wikiHow Step with a Verb Step 2
    • now, then, next
    • once, if, as, optional
    • generally, frequently, occasionally
    • and, also, however
    • okay, so, well, because
  3. 3
    Avoid using a pronoun or possessive pronoun at the start, such as: you, your, all, etc.
    Begin Each wikiHow Step with a Verb Step 3
  4. 4
    Avoid using a noun, such as an ingredient or supply: the tomato, the turkey, the sugar, the hammer, the ribbon, or the whisk.
    Begin Each wikiHow Step with a Verb Step 4
  5. 5
    Avoid gerunds, verbs utilized as a noun and ending with “ing:” finding, pasting or sitting.
  6. 6
    Add informational content as desired within given instructional steps. This contents can be included after the instructional step in the same paragraph or as a bulleted sub-step after the main action.
    Ad

EditTips

  • For questions, contact the Help Team.
  • Other sections of a wikiHow article, such as Tips and Warnings, do not need to begin with a verb.
  • Beginning each step with a verb is not mandatory, because it can result in awkward or convoluted sentences. It is acceptable to omit the verb as long as the step clearly describes an action to be taken.

EditRelated wikiHows

See Your Own Edits on wikiHow

How to
See Your Own Edits on wikiHow

Avoid Using Personal Reference on wikiHow

How to
Avoid Using Personal Reference on wikiHow

Copyedit a wikiHow Article

How to
Copyedit a wikiHow Article

Writer's Guide

How to
Writer's Guide

EditSources and Citations

  • And what exactly is a VERB??


Article Info

Categories: Writing and Editing

In other languages:

Español: comenzar cada paso en wikiHow con un verbo

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 15,077 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No