How To Properly Observe The 6 Days Of Fasting In Shawwal?

The month of Shawwal has arrived. In this month, Muslims are advised to observe a six-day fast, for which a great reward is promised. According to the hadith, fasting in Shawwal compensates for the shortcomings of the Ramadan fast. How should it be observed — continuously or at intervals? And how does the fast of Shawwal differ from the fast of Ramadan?