This study used the sense-making approach of message-q/ing to examine how individuals arrive at an understanding of new technology, in this case, word processing. Subjects were 10 computer naive undergraduate students learning to use word processing as part of a course requirement. Using the WordStar program manual, subjects employed the message-q/ing technique by noting the points in their reading where they would like to, or feel the need to, ask a question, and briefly explain how receiving an answer to their question would have helped their movement through the situation. It was assumed that examining these signal stops (questions or gaps) and the accompanying uses could provide insight into how individuals using such training materials were "making sense" out of, or constructing an understanding of the materials. It was found that 41% of the questions occurred at 12 places where two or more of the subjects identified signal stops of gaps, suggesting consistent patterns where individuals experienced gaps in their understanding of the training manual. At eight of the 12 places, it was found that the subject or topic requiring clarification was the same. It is suggested that this technique could be used by training manual designers to specifically identify and analyze users' questions and information uses in order to compare the sense-making patterns of actual users to those assumed by the designer of the manual. The text is supplemented by three explanatory footnotes and two tables. (21 references) (EW)