Select a topic that’s familiar to you. It’ll be easier to write a how-to article if you’re knowledgeable about the subject. For instance, if you’re a college student you might want to describe how to make dorm friends, study for a test or apply for college financial aid. Make sure you fully understand how to perform the process that you're describing. Think about your audience. Knowing how much the audience already knows about the process will help you decide what to include in your essay.
Write an interesting introductory paragraph that piques reader interest and provides background information about the process. Include a one sentence thesis statement that tells the reader precisely what the essay will be about and what to expect. Remember that the thesis statement guides the rest of the essay.
Break up the steps involved in the process and carefully consider what information to include. For example, the body of an essay describing the college financial aid application process would likely explain the steps involved, such as applying for a personal identification number, gathering needed documents and completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Use clear and direct language in the body. Also, make sure that all aspects of supporting paragraphs relate to the thesis. Use transitions like “first,” “then” and “next” to guide the process.
Write a one paragraph conclusion succinctly summarizing the process. Don’t add new steps at this point. If it's a how-to article, perform the process based on the steps that you have included in your essay to verify the accuracy of your information. Revise anything that’s unclear. Check for errors in spelling and grammar.