Tutorial Template

This template can be used for creating tutorials, whether they are in the handbooks or elsewhere. This should give you a format to follow and make it easier for you to get started writing your tutorial. You can use this template as a framework, replacing the text with your own.

Overview

The overview should introduce the reader to what they will do in the tutorial. You should provide an ordered list of what the reader will learn. When you have finished reading this tutorial, you will be familiar with:

  • creating awesome tutorials
  • tutorial formatting and layout
  • how to write a tutorial
  • how to use this template to create your tutorial

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What You Will Need

Use this section to tell the reader what they will need, or any prerequisite knowledge they will require to complete the tutorial. For example:

  • a local WordPress installation or test site
  • a pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory https://wordpress.org/plugins/ or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party like Theme Check
  • to have read the page on Permalinks in the Codex

Replace these items with items specific to your tutorial.

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The Tutorial

The handbook plugin on WordPress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/ will generate a in-page ToC at the top of the page. This will create a useful overview of the tutorial that the user can refer back to.

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Step 1 – The First Step

Break your tutorial down into discrete steps that the reader can follow. A task should be broken down into as many steps as are needed.

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Step 2 – The Next Step

Step two should follow logically from the first step. This may seem intuitive but there are many tutorials out there that double back on themselves. A good approach to take is to work through the task, noting the steps in order as you do so.

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Step 3 – Adding Some Color

Use callouts and images liberally.

On WordPress.org we use the Syntax Highlighter Evolved plugin. Wrap your code in the correct [language] shortcodeShortcode A shortcode is a placeholder used within a WordPress post, page, or widget to insert a form or function generated by a plugin in a specific location on your site.. Commonly-used shortcode languages include php, htmlHTML HTML is an acronym for Hyper Text Markup Language. It is a markup language that is used in the development of web pages and websites., css, js, sql, shell, and bash (see this reference for all available languages).

Tip: Follow the language and style used here. Use as few words as possible, and always write in the second person.

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Step 4 – Adding More Steps

Add as many more steps as you need to guide your reader through the process.

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Learn More

Now that the reader has completed your tutorial, they’ll want to learn more. Add a list of resources for further reading:

  • Awesome resource 1
  • Another awesome resource
  • A pretty good resource
  • A useful resource

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