Keeping Your Writing Simple
he good folks who buy your how-to manual do not want to read anything complicated or hard to comprehend. They bought your manual to help them solve a specific problem, quickly, easily, and efficiently. You've heard the acronym "KISS" ? "Keep It Simple, Sport!" Obey this admonition and you can't go wrong. This isn't Hemmingway we're writing here, folks. Just the facts.
Write what's in your head, then fine tune it, but don't over-write! We're trying to clear the fog here, not contribute to it.Fortunately for users of word processing programs, there are a number of tools to help us in our quest for simplicity and clarity.In Microsoft Word, for example, under the Tools menu item, there's a selection for "Word Count". Clicking on this option will display (logically enough) the number of words in our whole document plus some other information about the document. More importantly, when you run the Spelling and Grammar checker from the Tools Menu, at the end you will get a display of the number of sentences per paragraph, along with other statistics, two of which we'll focus on next.When Word finishes checking spelling and grammar, it can display information about the reading level of the document, including the following readability scores. Each readability score bases its rating on the average number of syllables per word and words per sentence.The Flesch Reading Ease score rates text on a 100-point scale; the higher the score, the easier it is to understand the document. For our how-to manual, aim for a score of approximately 60 to 70.The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score rates text on a U.S.
grade-school level. For example, a score of 8.0 means that an eighth grader can understand the document. For most standard documents, aim for a score of approximately 7.0 to 8.0.I've mentioned word processing programs several times in reference to writing your how-to manual. You are certainly not required to use a computer or a word processing program to write your how-to manual. I know of several writers who prefer to write (at least the first draft) with a pencil and legal pad.
An advantage of the handwritten draft method is that you can carry it with you conveniently practically wherever you go. And it's available and ready to be used quickly, without having to wait for a laptop computer to boot up. I always carry a notepad (or my handheld palm-style computer) to jot down ideas whenever they occur to me. (I just haven't figured out how to take it into the shower with me yet!)And there's one other method I've referred to that I personally like in certain situations: the audiocassette recorder..
Best Regards, Robert Brents, "The 80/20 Guy"http://www.RobertBrents.comFor your free four-lesson e-seminar, How To Write, Publish,Market & Promote Profitable How-To Manuals, emailmailto:freehowtoeseminar@sendfree.comCopyright 2001 Robert Brents and Blue Gecko Press.Is your Child's Recess Risky7 Ways to Pump up The Protection Factor and Prevent Injury on the Playground
Ann Arbor, MI (ContentDesk) October 10, 2005 -- When the bell rings for recess and your child makes a dash for the playground, she may be headed for harm. This year over 500,000 children will be injured in playgrounds in the United States. Almost EVERY ONE of these playground injuries can be prevented, says Dr. David Janda, author of The Awakening of a Surgeon: A Family Guide to Preventing Sports Injuries and Death.An orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Janda directs the Institute for Preventative Sports Medicine. His research has been published in prestigious journals and he is a frequently consulted expert on national news and talk shows.
Studies show that Dr. Jandas findings have prevented 1.7 million injuries, and saved the United States two billion dollars in health care costs.Here Janda shares seven ways problem playgrounds can pump up the protection factor and reduce the risk of your child suffering a serious or fatal injury.*Create a softer surface such as a surface made of wood...
Is your Child's Recess Risky7 Ways to Pump up The Protection Factor and Prevent Injury on the Playground
Laptop > Is your Child's Recess Risky7 Ways to Pump up The Protection Factor and Prevent Injury on the Playground
Why WAP isn't - as bad as people say
It's unlucky that the acronym for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) has such an unfortunate rhyme! Even more unlucky for WAP, it burst onto the mobile communication scene with lavish promises from the Mobile Operators (you know who you are) of 'The Internet on your Mobile' and 'Take the Internet with you'.That really was a load of WAP. So, a few years on we can ask, like Frankie Goes to Hollywood, 'WAP, what is it good for'?More than you might think, given the current deafening silence from those same Mobile Operators. The rise (and rise) of SMS is instructive. This has gone from nowhere to everywhere with practically no promotion from the networks. Type SMS into Google and you get 52 million hits! In China in 2003, 220 Billion SMS messages were sent.
During 2003 in the UK alone, 30 Billion were sent, which equates to 500 for every man, woman and child in the entire country! What is going on here?Well SMS is cheap, not cheap enough perhaps but, up until a couple of years ago,...
Why WAP isn't - as bad as people say
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EthoStream Joins Intels Wireless Verification Program
EthoStream announced today that its wireless high-speed internet system has completed Intel? Centrino? mobile technology compatibility testing through the Intel? Wireless Verification Program (WVP). Business and leisure travelers alike can now access the internet via their wireless Intel Centrino mobile technology-based laptop computers at any of EthoStream's Hospitality Network locations or EZone Network hotspots throughout the United States."As a participant in Intel's wireless verification program, EthoStream has tested its Wi-Fi service for compatibility with common configurations of notebook PCs based on Intel Centrino mobile technology, Intel's premier technology for wireless mobile computing," said Karen Regis, director of marketing programs for Intel's Mobile Platforms Group."EthoStream has recognized that Intel is a champion of Wi-Fi technology, and we are proud to have completed Intel's wireless verification program, said Jason Tienor, president of EthoStream. "We look forward...
EthoStream Joins Intels Wireless Verification Program
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Frontier Computer Corporation Achieves Gold Solution Provider Status with Mitel
Dallas, Texas (ContentDesk) May 24, 2006 - Frontier Computer Corporation, today announced its successful accreditation as a Mitel GOLD Solution Provider. This designation enables Frontier to resell and distribute the full Mitel suite of Internet Protocol (IP) communications systems, desktop devices and peripherals. Randy Stone, President Frontier Computer Corp, cites the advantages of being a part of Mitels award-winning Solution Provider program (winner of the VAR Business Magazines 5 Star Award for 2004), Attaining Mitel Gold Solution Provider status is particularly beneficial to us and our customers. It recognizes our ability to support IP Telephony to the highest standards in providing Mitels portfolio of IP-based networked business solutions for the hospitality industry. We believe Mitels platforms and products are among the best in the marketplace and that with them, our customers can take advantage of immediate and long-term benefits including cost efficiencies that are...
Frontier Computer Corporation Achieves Gold Solution Provider Status with Mitel
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laser printer Laptop Keeping Your Writing Simple
Parenting Univeristy: Potty Training 101
When your child shows signs of potty training readiness, it's time to purchase some essential potty training items. There are many new products which can help to make potty training quick and easy for both you and your child. We have researched all of the latest and most effective potty training products. Here, you'll find a number of new potty training aids, such as the Tinkle Toonz musical potty or the anatomically correct drink & wet dolls that can be used with Dr. Phil's potty training method....
potty training Laptop Parenting Univeristy: Potty Training 101 Keeping Your Writing Simple
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