Pick Your eBook Topic
What to Do
Pick one of these topics below from Microsoft 365 that works well for the assignment and can help you as a student:
- How to format and collaborate on notes with a classmate in Microsoft Word
- How to manage assignment due dates in Microsoft Planner
- How to track grade changes over the semester with a graph in Microsoft Excel
- How to set up a study group and schedule virtual study sessions in Microsoft Teams
- How to build a study and time management schedule in Outlook Calendar
- How to create flashcards with different media options in Microsoft Notes
Tips for picking a different topic prompt
We are not re-creating the basic descriptions and feature walkthroughs. We aim to transform the basic knowledge and tools available for a specific audience so they complete a full procedure at the end.
When you brainstorm, use this checklist for your idea:
☑️Are you combining multiple tools/features to create something new in the app?
☑️Are you connecting a series of actions to accomplish a more complicated procedure?
☑️Is there enough content for about 8-12 steps?
Here are some topics that are NOT suitable for this project. Compare your idea to these and adjust as necessary.
❌How to write a function in Excel. This topic is unsuitable because it is very general and a basic feature of Excel. See prompt 3 for a better example.
❌How to add an event to the Calendar. This topic is not suitable because it is a basic feature of Outlook. You need to build this into what someone is creating or using the Calendar event for with additional features and options. See prompt 5 for a better example.
At the end of your tutorial, the reader should have created something specific. You are not teaching them general tools or information; you are giving a tutorial on creating a standardized end product that accomplishes a procedure of actions.
AI Prompting
You can use an AI tool to brainstorm new topic ideas to pitch. Because we want a specific topic, you need to train and explain to the AI what you are looking for in the ideas.
The more concrete information you feed it, the better the response. It would help if you told the AI exactly what you are writing about, what you expect in each section, and the tone you want to achieve. Try adapting the basic prompt below until you get the information you want from the AI ⬇️
Act as a technical writer contracted to produce help guides for a college orientation program. Generate a list of 10 topic ideas for the help guides that require Microsoft Office apps. Each topic needs to create something specific for student success. You are not teaching them general tools in the app; you are giving a tutorial on how to create an end product that helps them with student stuff. Write the list in a format similar to these examples:
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How to share and collaborate on notes with a classmate in Microsoft Word
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How to manage assignment due dates in Microsoft Planner
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How to track grade changes over the semester with a graph in Microsoft Excel
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How to set up a study group and schedule virtual study sessions in Microsoft Teams
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How to build a study and time management schedule in Outlook Calendar
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How to create flashcards with different media options in Microsoft Notes
Use what the AI generates as a first draft to edit, revise, refine, and change based on your voice, purpose, and our project requirements. You will find the content a good first draft with some helpful ideas, but it must be revised and edited to make sense and be useful.
When choosing your topic, consider its relevance and challenge level for your learning. You can pick something you already know how to do (less challenging) or something you want to learn to use better (more challenging). Your tutorial can guide your success if you write about an app and a product you might use to study, track, or manage your time.
