For the most part, the writing methods you learned in Chapter 4 apply but you need to make particular use of some of those techniques when it comes to writing self-help and how-to books. When writing in this genre, your goal is to inform and enlighten in a user-friendly and entertaining manner. The best way to accomplish this is to make ample use of lists and anecdotes.

Lists

Lists are a great way to break up text, organize information, and effectively detail something that may otherwise be rather complicated. There are various types of lists but the most popular in self-help and how-to books is probably the “bulleted list,” which has a dot or an asterisk before each item. Like all lists, each point is indented. Another common list is the “numbered list,” which is any list including a progression of numbers, letters, or other elements that are aligned. You may also find yourself utilizing a “checklist,” in which each point is set off with a small checkbox.

The type of list you select depends upon its function. For example, if you want to inform the reader of items that should be packed for a vacation, you would use a checklist so the reader can check off each article as it is placed in the suitcase. On the other hand, if it's a matter of providing important points of information, you will probably do so with a bulleted list.

Anecdotes

Anecdotes are an important ingredient in self-help and how-to books. What is more, they can be fun to write because their function is to present the material in an engaging way. Anecdotes can serve as a vehicle to convey information or help you prove your point. Anecdotes need not be factual. They can be based on a true occurrence in part or completely fabricated. If the anecdote is true, it must be accurate in all respects. The fun part takes place when you write the narrative using your imagination and techniques in writing fiction.