Aixu
06-01-2009, 23:05
Guide to Writing Guides
by Aixu
I have noticed that there's no real 'way' to writing a guide.
Atleast not on the RotG forums.
So here's a guide on how all guides should be written!
Layout!
These are all the subjects that should be in your guide in the following order!
Title
The title itself can be a picture or some bigger sized text but which indicates very clear what the guide is called.
Table of Content
Although not always needed, a table of content makes your guide look nicer and it helps readers finding the information they want
Introduction
The introduction is the introduction to your guide, or to your hero (Can be the hero's background story)
Basic Information
Basic Information are the Hero's name, and beginning stats. Although it can be found in the Hero section, it's good to have this information in your guide as well.
Skills
Same as above, it can be found somewhere else, but it should be in your guide. Don't give the readers a skillbuild without explaining what the skills do.
You can also add additional information on the skills and/or screenshots.
Skillbuild
The skillbuild will look either this way:
1. SKILL A
2. SKILL B
3. SKILL A
4. SKILL B
5. SKILL A
6. SKILL D
Or this way :
SKILL A : 1/3/5
SKILL B : 2/4
SKILL D : 6
Skillbuild Justification
Here you'll explain why you picked your guide's skillbuild.
Itembuild
Here you'll post your itembuild, try to use icons of the items to make it easier for people that know the names of every 'icon' but also state the names in words for those who dont.
Itembuild Justification
Here you'll post some information on what item to make first, and/or why you picked the items in your build for this hero.
Gameplay
The gameplay chapter of your guide is where you post the 'how to play' information. Try to cut the Gameplay in 3 pieces :
[ Early Game ] Level 1~12
[ Mid Game ] Level 13~18
[ Late Game ] Level 19~25
Replays
Post some replays that help explaining your guide here.
Conclusion
The conclusion is a short piece of text which can either conclude your guide with a simpel 'bye' or you can use it to give credit to people helping you when writing this guide. It can also be used to suck up to Steel.
Always keep this layout! A big chunk of text doesn't look appealing to read!
And always keep in mind that pictures tell a thousand words, but don't overdo it.
Some Good Examples!
Aixu's Guide to Bonechatter The Cruel, Shadowmancer (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=98)
Aixu's Advanced Guide to Ju'Kumbi Headshrinker, Voodoo Priest (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=182)
Award Winning! Chenlimin's Advanced Guide to Diabloist (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=187)
Some Bad Examples!
Steelb_l_ade's Guide to Demon (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=22)
DeathClown's Guide to Ravagore (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=39)
Conclusion
This guides is not meant to be insulting so don't take it as an insult!
That's all, if you have any questions regarding writing Guides feel free to flood my PM box.
And in addition, I'd like to thank this great community.
Because although it might not have seemed like it, the first WC3 Guide I ever wrote was my guide to Thrugg the Strong (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=94). And I've been writing both DotA and RotG guides ever since. I wouldn't be writing strong guides on multiple games' heroes if it wasn't for Thrugg and Steel!
by Aixu
I have noticed that there's no real 'way' to writing a guide.
Atleast not on the RotG forums.
So here's a guide on how all guides should be written!
Layout!
These are all the subjects that should be in your guide in the following order!
Title
The title itself can be a picture or some bigger sized text but which indicates very clear what the guide is called.
Table of Content
Although not always needed, a table of content makes your guide look nicer and it helps readers finding the information they want
Introduction
The introduction is the introduction to your guide, or to your hero (Can be the hero's background story)
Basic Information
Basic Information are the Hero's name, and beginning stats. Although it can be found in the Hero section, it's good to have this information in your guide as well.
Skills
Same as above, it can be found somewhere else, but it should be in your guide. Don't give the readers a skillbuild without explaining what the skills do.
You can also add additional information on the skills and/or screenshots.
Skillbuild
The skillbuild will look either this way:
1. SKILL A
2. SKILL B
3. SKILL A
4. SKILL B
5. SKILL A
6. SKILL D
Or this way :
SKILL A : 1/3/5
SKILL B : 2/4
SKILL D : 6
Skillbuild Justification
Here you'll explain why you picked your guide's skillbuild.
Itembuild
Here you'll post your itembuild, try to use icons of the items to make it easier for people that know the names of every 'icon' but also state the names in words for those who dont.
Itembuild Justification
Here you'll post some information on what item to make first, and/or why you picked the items in your build for this hero.
Gameplay
The gameplay chapter of your guide is where you post the 'how to play' information. Try to cut the Gameplay in 3 pieces :
[ Early Game ] Level 1~12
[ Mid Game ] Level 13~18
[ Late Game ] Level 19~25
Replays
Post some replays that help explaining your guide here.
Conclusion
The conclusion is a short piece of text which can either conclude your guide with a simpel 'bye' or you can use it to give credit to people helping you when writing this guide. It can also be used to suck up to Steel.
Always keep this layout! A big chunk of text doesn't look appealing to read!
And always keep in mind that pictures tell a thousand words, but don't overdo it.
Some Good Examples!
Aixu's Guide to Bonechatter The Cruel, Shadowmancer (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=98)
Aixu's Advanced Guide to Ju'Kumbi Headshrinker, Voodoo Priest (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=182)
Award Winning! Chenlimin's Advanced Guide to Diabloist (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=187)
Some Bad Examples!
Steelb_l_ade's Guide to Demon (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=22)
DeathClown's Guide to Ravagore (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=39)
Conclusion
This guides is not meant to be insulting so don't take it as an insult!
That's all, if you have any questions regarding writing Guides feel free to flood my PM box.
And in addition, I'd like to thank this great community.
Because although it might not have seemed like it, the first WC3 Guide I ever wrote was my guide to Thrugg the Strong (http://www.rotg.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=94). And I've been writing both DotA and RotG guides ever since. I wouldn't be writing strong guides on multiple games' heroes if it wasn't for Thrugg and Steel!