Creating Outlines for Articles
Journalists make a living writing the news, articles that inform, enlighten, teach. Some bloggers, too, blog for money, writing articles covering all types of topics. Then there are those who could take or leave writing but, as part of their jobs, are required to produce an article or two for publication.
Whether you enjoy writing or have the attitude any writing you do is a ‘necessary evil,’ article writing requires preparation. There are numerous methods and approaches for writing articles, but one key useful method: creating an outline first.
Creating an outline allows for topic ideas to flourish as you make plans for succeeding for the flow of the document. Outline preparation makes the task of article writing easier, move faster. Such organization also reduces certain levels of anxiety—especially for those who don’t like writing in the first place.
An outline serves as the blueprint for your article (or novel as the case may be ?). A blueprint guides creating the introduction, body, and conclusion of your article. When drafting the outline, jot down some of the ideas and sentences that potentially enhance the article. One of these ideas results as the focal point, making your article creative, interesting, and appealing to a reader.
Carefully planned outlines help ensure a worry-free process, virtually without hassle.
Outline Tips
Before creating an outline, it’s assumed you’ve performed any/all necessary research related to your article topic. Now, designate a time to focus on drafting your article(s), and let’s get outlining …
- Jot down ‘brilliant’ ideas for attracting the interest of your reader (as it relates to the article topic). Review your ideas and notes, gaining a certain ‘mastery’ of your topic so that writing about it is easy.
- Determine subtopics/subtitles. As with that first attention-grabbing sentence for your article, the same is needed for your subtopics. Be concise but effective, ensuring your subtopics support and your point.
- Check the flow. Try different arrangements of your subtopics, getting the right balance of logical flow. The goal is ensuring your article isn’t ‘all over the place.’
- Put meat on the bones. Your bullet points and notes form the skeleton of your article. Now, it’s time to flesh things out more and add the ‘meat.’ These longer, ‘meatier’ sentences form the basis for later paragraphs, creating the body of your Article. While the introduction ushers in the idea or topic, you’ll need a conclusion. The conclusion sums up and drives in the point of your article.
Getting Drafty
With your outline in hand, begin writing a draft. The first draft may become the second and fifth, but that’s okay; drafts are meant for your eyes only (no reason to feel embarrassed). Tweak the outline with each draft and, as the article gets ‘tighter,’ the harmonious bigger picture of the piece will reveal itself for what is demanded of it. You’re a writer (for better or worse).
Reread what you’ve written. Read it again. Refer to your outline, ensuring you aren’t drifting away from the plan. When lost in your writing frenzy, it’s easy to go off on a tangent. Your outline will help keep you on track. The hours spent outlining your article isn’t a waste. Trust and rely on your outline; it now serves as a template for future articles—a useful writing tool.
