There are different ways to write a guide. We can write the Product Guide in such a way explaining all the features at a granular-level and call it a Reference Guide. Otherwise, you can write and explain a few critical tasks dealing about what the user needs and requires when he or she stuck at a critical point in the task process. Most of the users do not show interest in reading the entire Guide. They are more interested in knowing about what they are doing, why they are stuck in the process and what needs to be done to get the task completed.
Writing a guide to a layman is different from writing for a professional. Writing to a developer who expects the technical jargon filled book is different from writing to an end-user who needs to explain everything in layman terms. In other words, how you write depends upon the target audience and upon the application or the product, you are dealing with. Overall, if the target audience reads and understands your content without any confusion and questions, then that means you have succeeded in your Technical Writing task.
The learning graph of each user varies in extremes. It is not possible to guess what the user can or cannot understand which particular set of instructions and why. Unless until the end-user interaction is there, the whole situation looks bizarre. Since it is not possible to interact with end users practically, the only other alternative way is to get different kinds of reviews like peer, technical, editorial, etc. To make sure that both the Product Guide and the end-users are on the same plane technically, it is advised to get your guide also reviewed by departments like Marketing, Sales, Pre-Sales, etc, who interacts with end-users frequently and know what they are looking for.
Is there any chance to write a guide in such a way that it presents the product features and tasks according to different User understanding-difficulty levels? If there is such a chance to write, then the guide topics should be break up in such a way that they represent the basic and advanced levels. Prepare a separate guidebook for each level. Just like how you write about the topic to be learned at the starting of each book, in the same way, write an introduction kind of stuff to the next level Guide at the end of each book. This way, the user will come to know what s/he learnt, at what understanding level s/he is in, and what s/he is to learn about the product.
In summary, every writer needs to think and know about the target audience as much as possible before s/he starts writing a Guide. Every product is unique; there is no need to present the content in the same way for all the products you are dealing with. Depending upon the level of understanding and learning difficulty of the product and about the end-user whose knowledge-level you need to increase through your product guide, the guidebook should be designed and written.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/908524
Body, Mind & Spirit User Guide
Many experts on finding your life purpose talk about spending an hour a day on your body, mind and spirit. But what does that mean exactly and how can a person starting out on his or her new path begin? We will focus on that now with examples of activities and the reasons behind them. If you think there's not enough time in your busy, complicated day to squeeze in an extra hour, just start with 5 minutes per area each day. Once you begin to see the benefits of these practices, you'll find the time for yourself!
*Body*
After you've discovered your life's purpose, you feel passionate about the future and suddenly have more energy. Use this additional energy to your benefit! There are specific foods that aid in thinking, and this will help you when you're creating and implementing your new plan. Also, taking time out of your day to exercise or play will help clear your mind and allow you to focus on your goals.
Here are suggestions to begin your 5-minute body time per day:
- Snack on nuts - they are nature's brain food.
- Play with your pets or children instead of watching television.
*Mind*
Dedicating five minutes a day to strengthening your mind and exercising your brain is another essential step on your life purpose path to happiness and fulfillment. Your mind needs to be ready and strong to create your plan and follow through with it. You need to be positioned to overcome obstacles and challenges.
Here are suggestions to begin your 5-minute mind time per day:
- Start playing puzzles games like crosswords or sudoku.
- Read five minutes of a favorite book each day.
*Spirit*
Don't forget to include your higher power in your life's purpose plan! Sometimes things just happen on their own. There are random people you just happen to meet and opportunities that come up from nowhere - things that happen when you take a chance and believe in yourself. Practicing daily prayer or meditation will help you set aside fears and doubts to clearly see your life's purpose and help you accomplish it.
Start spending 5 minutes a day on yourself in these LITTLE ways and see how you can make BIG changes in fulfilling your dreams. Your body, mind and spirit can all help you in it's own individual way. Once you have your goal and vision in mind, use what you already have to achieve your life purpose.
Nicolas Baron developed a system to help you succeed in Finding your Purpose in Life and feeling fulfilled and happier in general. These worksheets & exercises are incredibly helpful for self awareness and a greater understanding of the key principles to finding your life purpose.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2804305
