Author: Norman Macey CEO
How to Use an Outline Plan for Your Article Writing
From junior school through to the end of our education we had it drummed into our heads; that you need on outline for any composition or article. If you want to get it right the same rules apply to this day. Article writing need not be the boring task that most of us think of it as. Think of the almighty dollar at the end of the road!
Different people have different attitudes to article writing, some just scribble as many words on the subject as they can, without any thought whatever as to the structure or composition therein. The thing that sets a good article writer apart from the masses is the preparation he or she has done, prior to writing a single word.
The best method in the preparation of your article is called the Outline Plan, when you use an outline approach you have all the materials in one place before you start the construction. Knowing in your mind what you want to achieve is a great help in the preparation, if you can visualize, you can put it on paper, being organized with each section of the article, makes the construction that much easier and keeps you focused.
The purpose of an outline plan is to make it the template for your present article and possibly the format of all your future articles. Only when you have published a few articles using this outline plan will you, know if it works. The plan will guide you through the three main sections of the construction of your article.
An article is not unlike a game of chess, there is the opening section, the real content section and the closing section. A well laid out plan will guide you through all three sections of your article, trouble free. Say I, with fingers crossed.
During the remainder of this article I am going to provide you with the hints and tricks that I personally use in my own writings. Spend time thinking of the points you consider people want to know, does it benefit them? If so, in what manner?
Initially you should be well read or knowledgeable on the core subject of the intended article, failure to do this will leave you clutching at straws when attempting to clarify a specific point.
Opening Section
Obviously these are the first lines you reader sees after the title. Here is where you get the chance to capture their attention and hold it. I consider these first words to be the most important lines in the article. Keep focused, whet their appetite but do not overdo it by stuffing it full of your keywords, mention it once or maybe twice depending on the length of your first paragraph.
If the article is about solving someone's problem, sympathize with them and let them know that reading the article through to the end will be of benefit to them.
Middle Section
This section is where you give them the "meat and potatoes" by that I mean your opportunity to show your knowledge on the subject of the article, if you can introduce a short story concerning a resent success regarding your subject now is the time to do it. A little lightheartedness does not go amiss here; just make sure it does not sound like you are writing a comic strip.
Again do not flood this section with keywords. Keep focused and be as informative as humanely possible.
Final Section
This is where you put your stamp on the article, reiterate one or two of your finer points you have already made, reassure the reader of your qualifications to write the article. Yes, you can even include your keyword here.
If you think that's the last of it you are wrong, now read your article, have you said what you had in mind before you started? Give it to a family member or friend to read and ask their honest opinion. I you feel satisfied with you endeavor, Go to press.
Writing this article has been a real pleasure for me, can't believe at school writing and composition were my worst subjects, but that was over 60 years ago. I trust you have enjoyed the reading and that I may have imparted some of my knowledge to you.
Norman Macey CEO: Internet Enterprises
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