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Use the classifier

Two mechanical questions that decide the type of a page, and what it means when neither answer is clear.

Before writing anything, answer two questions.

  1. Does this content serve doing, or understanding?
  2. Is the user acquiring a capability they do not have yet, or applying one they already have?
Reader stateDoingUnderstanding
AcquiringTutorialExplanation
ApplyingHow-to guideReference

If neither answer is clear, the page is usually trying to do two jobs. Split it and classify each part.

Use this as a course correction rather than a label. When the classifier and the reader's actual need disagree, the reader wins.

TypeReader isServesGoal set byPrimary form
TutorialAcquiringDoingThe authorGuided learning experience
How-to guideApplyingDoingThe userPractical steps
ReferenceApplyingUnderstandingThe product or systemStructured information
ExplanationAcquiringUnderstandingThe subjectContext and discussion

Previous · 3.2

Resolve conflicting principles

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Write tutorials that teach

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