Write A Guide Introduction

Now that you’ve finished your guide, you’ll need to fill out the “Introduction” section. Guide introductions should contain any background information a reader would need before they begin the repair.

To access the “Introduction” field, click on the Introduction tab at the top of your guide’s Edit screen. Then scroll down to find the “Introduction” field (it’s below the video camera icon and just above the “Flags” section).

Editing interface showing the field for a guide introduction

basic information

All guide introductions should include the following information:

Special Skills

Some replacement guides require special skills. Here are some examples of special information to include in the introduction. Make sure to link to any applicable guides in your introduction and any relevant guide step(s).

What not to include in your introduction

  • Warnings about voiding warranties

  • Telling users to “Keep track of screws” or “Keep screws in a safe place”

  • Listing information already in the “Details” section, such as parts, tools (unless they require special expertise like the tools listed above), and time required

Examples

Wondering what a good introduction looks like? Here’s an example of a solid introduction:

  • If your ZTE Tempo smartphone (model 9131) isn’t producing clear audio—distorted, intermittent, or no sound—through headphones or auxiliary speakers, use this guide to replace the headphone port (also known as a jack).

    The headphone port transmits audio to external speakers through an auxiliary cord. A faulty headphone port will transmit distorted audio or no audio at all.

    Before using this guide, inspect the headphone port for debris that may be interfering with sound quality. Typically, a small buildup of dust can be removed using an ESD-safe brush or small dust blower. Be sure to test a few sets of headphones or auxiliary cords with your device to confirm that the faulty part is coming from the ZTE Tempo’s headphone port.

    Step 5 requires you to remove the circuit board from the device. From there, you will need to desolder the surface-mounted headphone jack and solder a new one in place.

    Before beginning, make sure to power off your phone completely and disconnect from any external power source.


Check out the guide introductions from these past projects for more good examples:

A Lego race car driver gets caught speeding by a Lego police officer

Hold up there, speedy!

Slow down and make sure you’ve met all the project requirements. This is your last checkpoint for the project and you wouldn’t want to pay a heavy fine in terms of your score for zipping by. Send us an email at techwriting[at]ifixit[dot]com when you think you’ve got a finalized draft of your guide. We’ll let you know when you’re ready to move on—and we’re a lot nicer than the fuzz.