Six Steps To Creating A Strong Outline For Your Articles
You've already finished junior high and maybe even earned a college degree and yet it still hounds you
. The outline is almost always a useful guide for any writer, beginner or professional. It doesnt take a lot of work, it's easy and it can keep you organized. Yup, the outline is alive and well and it's as effective as ever.
Do I really have to?
Not if you dont find it useful, since some writers can make do without an outline and still create quality articles. But it's wise to note that a lot of writers, even famous ones, use outlines to organize their thoughts and plan their mode of attack. It also helps to prepare them for the whole task and focus on what is essential to include in their article.
There's nothing wrong with spontaneous writing and if it works for you, then do it. However, preparing an outline before writing an article can provide you with the kind of discipline that you otherwise would not have. Therefore, you end with an article that is written with care and precision.
Step One: Determine What Your Purpose Is
Dont just go into writing an article without knowing why you're doing it. Ask yourself why you have to do it and how you intend to go about it. Knowing what your purpose is can help keep you in the right track.
Step Two: Determine Who Your Audience Is
Knowing who you will be writing for will help you set the tone of your article's message. Knowing for which age group, gender, political and social affiliations, lifestyles and main interests of your audience you will be writing for can help you narrow down your article and make it more relevant.
Step Three: Brainstorm
Brilliant ideas can come in flashes and it would help if you keep a small notebook in handy for just these occasions. Write them down for use at another time. You'll be glad you did.
Use these ideas during brainstorming sessions either with a colleague or by yourself. Think how these packets of ideas can be used to create useful information and attract your readers' interest. Group similar ideas together and see how their relationships can be utilized.
Don't bother about spelling or grammar at this time, just jot down random ideas as they come to you. If you focus on the job at hand, you can wire your brain to produce thoughts that are related to your intended content.
Step Four: Create the Title
For a lot of writers, the title serves a beacon that guides their writing so they dont get too disoriented. The title will say everything about your article and will create the first spark to attract your readers.
If you dont have the title yet, dont worry. By this time, you already have a general idea of what your article will say. If the title is still in broken, incoherent pieces in your mind, don't fret. It will come to you later. In the meantime, go to step 3.
Step Five: Create the Sub-Topics
Break down your article into several easy-to-write pieces. Group the general ideas first and the specific next. Create the main headings and the sub-headings. Use your organized ideas to create the introductory paragraph, the main body and the conclusion or closing paragraph. In more complicated articles, there could be more parts, but in article writing, it's much simpler and easier.
Your opening or introductory paragraph should establish the topic, argument and mood of your article. After you've attracted your reader, it's the introductory paragraph that keeps them spellbound, so some of the strongest (but general) ideas are found here.
Next is the main body. This can consist of more than one main topic and may be broken into several sub-topics. This is where you will discuss what the heart and soul of your article is. This is where you present facts, statistics, proofs and arguments about your topic. Write all the necessary ideas, phrases and verses you intend to include on your outline.
For the conclusion, this will serve as your parting words. The conclusion will recap and reinforce the idea/s that you just presented in the main body.
Step Six: Write the Draft
Use the article outline you have just created as a basis and point of reference for your writing. Dont bother about editing your work yet just write. If necessary, refer to your outline from time to time. Once you've finished, read your draft, make the necessary revisions and check to see if your outline has been followed.
Creating an outline to write an article is not an exact science and you dont always have to follow strict guidelines. But if you want an article that is concise yet relevant, having an outline is a sure, reliable step in the process.
by: Elijah Chai
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