3 Incredible Tips on How to Write a Policies and Procedures Manual

Writing a policies and procedures manual can be a time-consuming, difficult task. Worse, even after you've put all that effort in, it will still likely be tedious to read. To make your policies and procedures more readable, take a look at the following helpful suggestions:

1) First Policy, Then Procedure

How does one define "policy?" What about "procedure?" Simply put, a policy is a rule developed by your company. A procedure establishes the correct method of following your company's policies.

For optimum comprehension, explain your policies before you explain their corresponding procedures. As an example, let's say that you're writing a policies and procedures manual for teachers in a high school. One important policy might be: "We always treat students with respect." The procedures that result from such a policy could be: "Speak to unruly students calmly and explain that their behavior is unacceptable. If they refuse to cooperate, send them to the principal's office. Avoid raising your voice or insulting the student."

In the above case, the procedures might make less sense if they had not been preceded by the overarching policy. By stating your policy first, you'll set up your readers to see the matter from your point of view. Then, once you've explained the procedures that go along with that policy, they will better understand what the policy means and how to act within its confines.

2) Write for Your Audience

Every policy and procedure will not always apply to each of your employees. Therefore, when you're writing, keep in mind the audience for whom the policies and procedures are intended.

Using the same high school example, let's assume another policy is: "Teachers must volunteer to lead one extra-curricular student activity." This will be a very important section for your teachers to read, but what about your school's caretakers and administrative staff? Clearly, such a policy does not apply to them.

This is not to say that you have to write a separate policies and procedures manual for every category of employee in your company. However, do organize the contents of your manual under subheadings that direct employees to read the areas that apply to them. A high school manual might have the headings "For All Employees," "For Teachers Only," "For Caretakers," etc. Be sure to include a table of contents so that your employees can find the policies and procedures they need to read.

3) Use Proper Grammar and Spelling

Correct spelling and grammar are the cornerstones of a successful policies and procedures manual. Your readers will have a much easier time absorbing such a complex document if the meaning isn't clouded with spelling mistakes, grammar errors, and typos. Take all the time necessary to get it right.

A well-run organization uses its policies and procedures as a backbone to support and guide the activities its members. Your document simply must be easy to read and structured for your audience. It's intuitive: if your policies and procedures document is well organized and grammatically flawless, your employees will be more likely to take its contents seriously.

3 Incredible Tips on How to Write a Policies and Procedures Manual

Writing a policies and procedures manual can be a time-consuming, difficult task. Worse, even after you've put all that effort in, it will still likely be tedious to read. To make your policies and procedures more readable, take a look at the following helpful suggestions:

1) First Policy, Then Procedure

How does one define "policy?" What about "procedure?" Simply put, a policy is a rule developed by your company. A procedure establishes the correct method of following your company's policies.

For optimum comprehension, explain your policies before you explain their corresponding procedures. As an example, let's say that you're writing a policies and procedures manual for teachers in a high school. One important policy might be: "We always treat students with respect." The procedures that result from such a policy could be: "Speak to unruly students calmly and explain that their behavior is unacceptable. If they refuse to cooperate, send them to the principal's office. Avoid raising your voice or insulting the student."

In the above case, the procedures might make less sense if they had not been preceded by the overarching policy. By stating your policy first, you'll set up your readers to see the matter from your point of view. Then, once you've explained the procedures that go along with that policy, they will better understand what the policy means and how to act within its confines.

2) Write for Your Audience

Every policy and procedure will not always apply to each of your employees. Therefore, when you're writing, keep in mind the audience for whom the policies and procedures are intended.

Using the same high school example, let's assume another policy is: "Teachers must volunteer to lead one extra-curricular student activity." This will be a very important section for your teachers to read, but what about your school's caretakers and administrative staff? Clearly, such a policy does not apply to them.

This is not to say that you have to write a separate policies and procedures manual for every category of employee in your company. However, do organize the contents of your manual under subheadings that direct employees to read the areas that apply to them. A high school manual might have the headings "For All Employees," "For Teachers Only," "For Caretakers," etc. Be sure to include a table of contents so that your employees can find the policies and procedures they need to read.

3) Use Proper Grammar and Spelling

Correct spelling and grammar are the cornerstones of a successful policies and procedures manual. Your readers will have a much easier time absorbing such a complex document if the meaning isn't clouded with spelling mistakes, grammar errors, and typos. Take all the time necessary to get it right.

A well-run organization uses its policies and procedures as a backbone to support and guide the activities its members. Your document simply must be easy to read and structured for your audience. It's intuitive: if your policies and procedures document is well organized and grammatically flawless, your employees will be more likely to take its contents seriously.

3 Incredible Tips on How to Write a College Essay

Students usually have to write a lot of essays to succeed in college. Instead of seeing each as an insurmountable burden, learn some tricks to make your essay easier to write. This article contains advice to help you create an essay that your professors will be pleased to read.

1) Choose a Powerful Thesis Statement

Choosing a strong thesis statement is the trickiest part of good essay writing. This is a statement is the main argument of your essay. Your statement should be an argument you feel you can substantiate with evidence from the literature you've read. If you can't do this, choose a different thesis statement.

Note that an essay is not a book report. Therefore, your thesis statement should not be something inarguable, like: "Romeo and Juliet is a play about the struggles of two lovers fated to be apart." Sure, you'll have an easy time making your point, but your professor is bound to be unimpressed.

Instead, find a statement that is at least slightly controversial, so that you actually have something to argue in your essay. For Romeo and Juliet, your thesis statement could be something like: "Romeo and Juliet is a social commentary that condemns arrogance and group mentality." This thesis statement lays the groundwork for you to make an argument that your reader will find much more compelling than a simple plot summary.

2) Stay on Topic

Even with a great statement, it can be tough to make your essay readable. There is usually so much information to deal with that you risk getting led astray. To stay on topic, you need to constantly re-focus yourself on your thesis statement. Never write anything that takes you off track.

Try this easy trick: once you've chosen your statement, write it on a sticky note and post it somewhere obvious. Then, every time you write something, you can ask yourself: "Does this help to defend my thesis statement?" If the answer is yes, you're in good shape. If not, go back and reconsider where your argument is headed.

3) All About Arguments

Once you've got a great thesis statement, you'll need to come up with several (at least three) arguments to defend it. For maximum readability, limit yourself to the arguments that are the most compelling. Arguments that are too obvious will not hold the attention of your audience.

It's easy to think of choosing arguments in favor of your statement, but here's a tip to really impress your professor: make at least one argument in opposition to the opposing standpoint. Sound confusing? Well, remember how your thesis statement needs to be arguable? This means that there could also be a statement opposite to yours. Consider what someone in that position would write. Then, find an argument that supports your essay by refuting the potential statement of someone else. This tactic shows your professor that you're a strong critical thinker because you'll have successfully contradicted a potential argument against your own essay.

Finally, make sure that you order your arguments deliberately. Starting with your weakest argument could bore your reader, but ending with it could undermine the impact of your essay as a whole. Therefore, sandwich your weakest arguments between your stronger ones. This way, you'll still be able to make all of your points while really highlighting your best arguments. Your reader will appreciate the effort you've made to keep your essay captivating and convincing.

3 Incredible Tips on How to Write a College Essay

Students usually have to write a lot of essays to succeed in college. Instead of seeing each as an insurmountable burden, learn some tricks to make your essay easier to write. This article contains advice to help you create an essay that your professors will be pleased to read.

1) Choose a Powerful Thesis Statement

Choosing a strong thesis statement is the trickiest part of good essay writing. This is a statement is the main argument of your essay. Your statement should be an argument you feel you can substantiate with evidence from the literature you've read. If you can't do this, choose a different thesis statement.

Note that an essay is not a book report. Therefore, your thesis statement should not be something inarguable, like: "Romeo and Juliet is a play about the struggles of two lovers fated to be apart." Sure, you'll have an easy time making your point, but your professor is bound to be unimpressed.

Instead, find a statement that is at least slightly controversial, so that you actually have something to argue in your essay. For Romeo and Juliet, your thesis statement could be something like: "Romeo and Juliet is a social commentary that condemns arrogance and group mentality." This thesis statement lays the groundwork for you to make an argument that your reader will find much more compelling than a simple plot summary.

2) Stay on Topic

Even with a great statement, it can be tough to make your essay readable. There is usually so much information to deal with that you risk getting led astray. To stay on topic, you need to constantly re-focus yourself on your thesis statement. Never write anything that takes you off track.

Try this easy trick: once you've chosen your statement, write it on a sticky note and post it somewhere obvious. Then, every time you write something, you can ask yourself: "Does this help to defend my thesis statement?" If the answer is yes, you're in good shape. If not, go back and reconsider where your argument is headed.

3) All About Arguments

Once you've got a great thesis statement, you'll need to come up with several (at least three) arguments to defend it. For maximum readability, limit yourself to the arguments that are the most compelling. Arguments that are too obvious will not hold the attention of your audience.

It's easy to think of choosing arguments in favor of your statement, but here's a tip to really impress your professor: make at least one argument in opposition to the opposing standpoint. Sound confusing? Well, remember how your thesis statement needs to be arguable? This means that there could also be a statement opposite to yours. Consider what someone in that position would write. Then, find an argument that supports your essay by refuting the potential statement of someone else. This tactic shows your professor that you're a strong critical thinker because you'll have successfully contradicted a potential argument against your own essay.

Finally, make sure that you order your arguments deliberately. Starting with your weakest argument could bore your reader, but ending with it could undermine the impact of your essay as a whole. Therefore, sandwich your weakest arguments between your stronger ones. This way, you'll still be able to make all of your points while really highlighting your best arguments. Your reader will appreciate the effort you've made to keep your essay captivating and convincing.

3 Incredible Tips on How to Write a Book

It's not easy to write a book; it takes creativity, planning, and drive. Make sure that your readers get the most out of your writing by following these tips to improve your book's readability.

1) Follow Grammar Guidelines

Book writing permits a great deal of freedom from traditional spelling and grammar regulations. Often the development of your character or scene depends on bending some rules a little. However, there are still a few guidelines you'll want to follow to make your book really appeal to your readers.

First, learn the correct usage of quotation marks in writing speech. It can be difficult to follow dialogue in your book if these are used improperly. Make sure that each person's speech is in quotation marks and on its own line.

Next, be careful about your paragraph length. Sometimes book writers get carried away and make paragraphs much longer than they need to be. This doesn't mean you need to truncate your ideas; just make sure that your paragraphs are separated into manageable sizes that are easier for your readers to digest.

2) Use Flow Charts

You make think of a flow chart as a business tool only, but it can help you with your book writing, too. Books often contain several ideas being developed at the same time, which can make it difficult for you, the writer, to keep track of everything that's going on. A flow chart will help you organize and manage your ideas so that you can write about them more effectively.

To make a flow chart, start by writing down the first event (or idea) in your book in its own little box on a sheet of paper. Every event gets its own box. Next, write the events that result from the first event(s) in their own little boxes, then connect the boxes with arrows. Keep going until all of the events in your book are accounted for.

For best results, make your flow chart when you're still in the planning stages of your book. It will help you visually decipher how you want your book to flow, as well as which ideas you want to write about when. You'll also have an easier time keeping track of how far you've progressed with each element of your book, which will keep your writing organized and easier to read in the long run.

3) Work With Your Publisher and Editor

Your editor and publishing company are both great resources for experienced second opinions about your book. Not only can they scrutinize your book for typos and other errors, they can also recommend ways to improve the readability of sections of your book that may not flow perfectly.

Also, consult your publisher about your ideas for the physical presentation of your book. Your publisher will most certainly have some ideas of their own, but don't be shy about adding your input. Often, you will have a unique vision for the layout of your book that may appeal both to your publisher and to your readers. Speak up with your publisher; together with them and your editor, you may be on your way to writing the country's newest bestseller!

3 Incredible Tips on How to Write a Book

It's not easy to write a book; it takes creativity, planning, and drive. Make sure that your readers get the most out of your writing by following these tips to improve your book's readability.

1) Follow Grammar Guidelines

Book writing permits a great deal of freedom from traditional spelling and grammar regulations. Often the development of your character or scene depends on bending some rules a little. However, there are still a few guidelines you'll want to follow to make your book really appeal to your readers.

First, learn the correct usage of quotation marks in writing speech. It can be difficult to follow dialogue in your book if these are used improperly. Make sure that each person's speech is in quotation marks and on its own line.

Next, be careful about your paragraph length. Sometimes book writers get carried away and make paragraphs much longer than they need to be. This doesn't mean you need to truncate your ideas; just make sure that your paragraphs are separated into manageable sizes that are easier for your readers to digest.

2) Use Flow Charts

You make think of a flow chart as a business tool only, but it can help you with your book writing, too. Books often contain several ideas being developed at the same time, which can make it difficult for you, the writer, to keep track of everything that's going on. A flow chart will help you organize and manage your ideas so that you can write about them more effectively.

To make a flow chart, start by writing down the first event (or idea) in your book in its own little box on a sheet of paper. Every event gets its own box. Next, write the events that result from the first event(s) in their own little boxes, then connect the boxes with arrows. Keep going until all of the events in your book are accounted for.

For best results, make your flow chart when you're still in the planning stages of your book. It will help you visually decipher how you want your book to flow, as well as which ideas you want to write about when. You'll also have an easier time keeping track of how far you've progressed with each element of your book, which will keep your writing organized and easier to read in the long run.

3) Work With Your Publisher and Editor

Your editor and publishing company are both great resources for experienced second opinions about your book. Not only can they scrutinize your book for typos and other errors, they can also recommend ways to improve the readability of sections of your book that may not flow perfectly.

Also, consult your publisher about your ideas for the physical presentation of your book. Your publisher will most certainly have some ideas of their own, but don't be shy about adding your input. Often, you will have a unique vision for the layout of your book that may appeal both to your publisher and to your readers. Speak up with your publisher; together with them and your editor, you may be on your way to writing the country's newest bestseller!