Writing Help
How-to or Directions
Science Writing
There are many different forms of writing. Here's a list of different forms of writing with links to explanations for each form.
How-to writing: also known as Writing directions or instructions or Technical writing
Books --- Websites --- Examples
- The How to Essay from Brain Pop http://www.brainpopjr.com/writing/essay/howtoessay/preview.weml (must be at Washington or have subscription username and password)
- Directions: How to Do Something : from ThinkQuest
- Writing Directions from New York State
- Technical Writing: How To's, Tutorials, and Directions from Teacher's Tap: includes a "Writing How to's" pdf document
Books that help in writing "how-to" or are written as "how-to"
- How to Write Poetry by Paul B. Janeczko. (808.1 ??) Provides practical advice with checklists on the art of writing poetry.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly: a Play Rhyme by written and illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott. (E WES) Rhyming text and illustrations explain how to make a peanut butter jelly sandwich. Includes instructions for accompanying hand and foot motions at the end of the book.
- How to Draw Wild Animals by Anne Simpson, illustrated by Lisa C. Botto. (743 SIM) Directions for drawing elephants, toucans, snakes, alligators, and other wild animals.
- How a Book is Made written and illustrated by Aliki (E ALI) Describes the stages in making a book, starting with the writing of the manuscript and the drawing of the pictures, and explaining all the technical processes leading to printed and bound copies.
- Kids Knitting by Melanie Falick ; photographs by Chris Hartlove ; illustrations by Kristin Nicholas. (746.43 FAL) Provides step-by-step instructions covering the basic stitches, knitting tools, and finger-knitting, with directions for twelve easy projects.
- Hopscotch Around the World by Mary D. Lankford, illustrated by Karen Milone. (796.2 LAN) Presents directions for playing variations of hopscotch, an ancient game still played worldwide.
- Messages in the Mailbox, How to Write a Letter by Loreen Leedy (395.4 LEE) Discusses the different kinds of letters, the parts of a letter, and who can be a potential correspondent and provides examples.
- Young Magician: Magic Tricks by Oliver Ho ; illustrated by Dave Garbot. (793.8 ??) Provides step-by-step directions for performing simple magic tricks using common household objects.
- To locate other How to books use the library catalog. Choose to search by Title. Type in How to and press Enter. Scan through the list of books.
Examples of Instruction writing
- Running a Successful Baby-Sitting Business By Kelly C. (Houghton Mifflin English)
- How to Make and Bake a Cake By Marie L. (Houghton Mifflin English)