 |
3 Article Outline Essentials
Most writers I talk with who experience "writer's block" do not get bogged down by the content of the article, rather they are stopped by the outline proper. Without an outline, there can be no article. You can write effectively by remembering three essentials; I will share with you how your success or failure in article writing depends on mastering these essentials. So, what are the essentials? You already know them: your topic sentence, the body of your article, and your conclusion. A fourth essential, your title, can and should be derived from your topic sentence. Thus, if you have a title it is your topic sentence and vice versa. The problem many writers have is really with the second essential, the body of the article. Too often this is what holds up the outline, and ultimately the article, from being successfully completed. What is the answer for you? Bullets. That's right, think of three or four generalized points and make them the highlights of your body. For example, if you are writing a product review on the Chrysler 300M your bullets could be: 1. The car's unique style.
2. The car's performance.
3. Chrysler's success with the model.
4. Special price offers for the car. Take each "bullet" and expand the thought further by naming at least 3 related thoughts. For example, with bullet #1 you could mention that the car is boxy, with big wheels, and possesses a solid grill. Bullet #2 could speak about the car's engine, speed, fuel performance, and interior. Bullet #3 could stress how the 300M has successfully pulled up Chrysler's sales, you could compare it with its chief competitors, and you might want to make mention how it compares with its "twin," the Dodge Magnum. Finally, bullet #4 might cover any specials Chrysler is running on the car, financing and leasing options, and warranty information. Once you have the bullets in place and have identified the related thoughts associated with each bullet, it is time for you to write. In this sample case [the review of Chrysler's 300M] you will probably come up with four solid paragraphs containing an average of six sentences each. Oh, did I mention the conclusion? Perhaps you will want to leave the conclusion out of the article until the body is done. Yes, this flies into the face of what your English Composition teacher taught you in high school, but it can be a fun thing to do. Why? As you write your body you will see that you can "move" in a variety of ways as you make your point. Once you are satisfied with your point, then write the conclusion [or summation] based on the body. Most articles of 500-600 words can be written and written well with as little as three bullets. Longer articles require additional bullets or, at the very least, you will need to expound further on points that you have made. You do not need to be held hostage by your outline, or lack thereof. Create a simple outline that can be expanded as you master the bullets which comprise the body of your article. In no time you will be writing strong, persuasive, and interesting articles and your writer's block will be nothing but a dim memory. (c)2005; Matthew C. Keegan, LLC Matt Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of subjects. In addition, Matt designs websites and manages web communities. To view his portfolio, please visit http://www.thearticlewriter.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Rediff |
'My readers loved the name So Kul'RediffThe foundation for the book was laid in June 2005, when Sonali started writing articles for Loksatta's weekly supplement Viva. Over the next two years, ... |
|
No end to repressionGlobe and Mail... in 2003 to languish and locked up scores more on the grounds of "dangerousness" to the state (including writing articles critical of the government). ...and more » |
|
Wonders Never CeaseSecond City Hockey (blog)... Nam Y. Huh - AP -I've spent my fair share of time ripping on Steve Rosenbloom, but only because I know that he's capable of writing articles like this. ... |
Google News
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Review of Ezine Article Creator V2.0
By now most entrepreneurs realize that the most cost effective method of promoting their business and services is writing and distributing articles to e-zines, newsletters, magazines and web sites.Many people have no idea how to get started with writing an article for an e-zine, newsletter or web site.
Keyword Article Writing: the Key to Your Success!
Ready to jump on the keyword article bandwagon? Billions of companies are using keyword articles to gain free exposure on the internet. Whether you're a netpreneur marketing a product or a writer seeking freelance work, odds are you can benefit tremendously from keyword articles.
Using Anecdotes - Remember, People Like to Read About People
Okay, I admit it: I'm a keen people-watcher. (Most writers are: we know people love to read about people - not things; not statistics; but people!)We collect anecdotes and snippets of other lives.
10 Ways To Generate Highly Read Article Ideas
1. Participate in chat rooms related to your targetedaudience.
Jump From Unknown to Widely Quoted in One Week
Start by Being QuotableIt's tough to stand out online. With millions of experts andwebsites on the Internet, what are your chances of gettingnoticed? Long odds, certainly.
Publishing: Changing realities (I)
When you frequently post articles on ezines, you might be aware that you are an active participant in the art of publishing at grass roots level. From experience, you will know that after planting your seeds, it takes time before your efforts will actually bear fruit.
Understanding That Online Writing is Business Writing Will Make You a Fortune
Never before in the history of the business of writing have opportunities opened up and presented themselves on such a large scale and in such huge quantities for writers to easily win so much regular business and revenue.If you know anything about writers of old you will know that they mostly starved, some to death.
5 Dynamite Ways to Generate Ideas for Parenting Articles
The key to selling reprints to parenting publications is the creation of dynamite ideas followed through with professional writing. Here, I'm focusing only on finding those lucrative topics.
Ten Tips Articles
"Ten Tips" articles are the easiest piece to write because they are made up of only an introductory paragraph, your Ten Tips, and a conclusion. Print editors love these because they can easily be shortened if there is a lack of available space.
An Article about Articles
Everyone that publishes a newsletter or ezine knows that the "list" is the most important thing, if you want to be successful with any online venture. To build that list we are told to submit ads to other ezines, join as many ezines as is humanly possible to read in a 24 hour day without food or sleep.
Dont Miss These 10 Must Know Facts About Promoting Your Website with Article Writing
Most all ezine publishers need fresh content. Article writing is something that gets tedious to the publisher who sends out an ezine every week.
How To Massively Multiply Your Web Exposure AND Position Yourself As An Expert
What's the quickest, easiest way to get exposure for your business all across the web AND turn yourself into an expert, in one fell swoop? The answer is Article Marketing. And if you haven't heard of it, or tried it yet, you're missing one of the most effective and inexpensive marketing strategies available on the net.
Whats YOUR Angle?
So how can you make your article worth reading?It's all about the angle..
1111 What Opportunities Are Waiting For You?
There are many ancient writings, which dive into the importance of numbers. The Number 1 is significant in Chinese culture, Western Culture, Indian Cultures, Egyptian Writings.
Five Benefits of Article Writing
A few years ago as a webmaster with no money, I looked around forthe best free methods to drive traffic to my website.Search engines were my primary source of traffic and due to thefact that this source took time to gain momentum, visitors werein spurts at best.
Stop Struggling and Write Your Article - Part II
Don't let overwhelm hold you back- follow this expert advice and start writing your promotional article today.In Part 1, I talked about the importance of planning and structuring your article.
How to Create High-Quality Backlinks the Search Engines Will Love
One great benefit of article marketing is the generation of high-quality backlinks.Simply put, a backlink is a link to your website from another website.
Creating Your Perfect Article Summary - 7 Tips
What should be in your article summary? It's otherwise known as an abstract or article teaser. The purpose of your article summary is to entice a potential reader to read the rest of your article.
Energize Your Mind With Inspirational Writing Exercises
Feeling uninspired? Like you're stuck in a rut with your writing?Free your inner creativity by trying some exercises to invigorate your writing.As I said in my article Stimulate Your Writing With Some Creative Exercises at - http://www.
Top Seven Tips for Writing Articles on the Internet
Online readers love information, but be sure your information is crisp, clean, clear and concise.
1.
|
