How to Build a Tree House

What follows is a brief excerpt of a manual detailing how to build a tree house. The instructions that follow assume the user is building their tree house with the tree in the middle. This was my final project for my technical writing course and was written in collaboration with another student. The manual was intended to be used by the user while they were in the field building the tree house, and is written in brief but clear sentences detailing every step the builder must take. There is also plenty of space between sentences and paragraphs for easy readability. The excerpt may be read below, but I invite you to read the text as originally designed by downloading the document on your left.

Platform

Outline

Before you do anything, lay your twenty 5/4x6 boards in a row. Ensure they form a 10x10 platform before beginning construction. Remove them once you have a clear idea of what the dimensions of your platform will be.

Posts

First, place four deck blocks around your chosen tree, one in each corner of where you will build your platform. Use a tape measure to make sure the distance between each deck block is 9’ 4” from the center.

Second, place a fifth deck block 2’ from another deck block in line with any other deck block that isn’t diagonal to the first. This will be for the posts of the tree house’s ladder.

Third, set one end of each 4x4 in a different deck block.

Finally, create a brace for your posts. Place a 2x8 against the outer side of the tops of two 4x4 posts, so all sides of the 2x8 are flush with the tops of the posts. Use a nail gun to nail both ends of the 2x8 to the 4x4s. Use three nails for each end of the 2x8, nailing them from top to bottom starting 2 ½” from the edge of the board and spacing each nail by 2”.

Repeat this entire process until your 4x4s are surrounded by 2x8 braces.