Nowadays, voice recognition software (like Dragon Naturally Speaking, for example) is getting good enough that you could dictate whole manual, either directly to your computer, or into a digital recorder that could then be plugged into your computer to allow you to download digital files into computer to be interpreted by voice recognition software.

The Flesch Reading Ease score rates text on a 100-point scale; higher score, easier it is to understand 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 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 first draft) with a pencil and legal pad. An advantage of 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 shower with me yet!)

And there’s one other method I’ve referred to that I personally like in certain situations: audiocassette recorder.