Writing Articles Information

3 Article Outline Essentials

Writing Articles Information


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:

Bleacher Report

Charlotte Bobcats-Dallas Mavericks: Bobcats Drop Another One
Bleacher Report, CA - 2 hours ago
Well, well, well, I hate writing articles like this because I hate seeing the Bobcats lose. Oh I know why because they cannot play one bit of defense. ...


Orato

Rena LeBlanc
Orato - Nov 17, 2008
Rena Dictor LeBlanc is an award-winning journalist whose articles have been published in major magazines and newspapers worldwide. ...


A story to remember
Atlanticville, NJ - 2 hours ago
One of the most difficult tasks this job presents is writing articles about children who are battling serious diseases, or about young people who lose their ...


A lesson in rights for this 'stupid president'
Asia Pacific Media Network, CA - 5 hours ago
Subsequently, the Financial Supervisory Commission ordered Chu to stop writing articles, giving lectures or participating in TV talk shows for one month on ...


UNlisted going strong at 15!
The Republican - MassLive.com, MA - Nov 10, 2008
One day, in the eighth grade, I realized that writing articles could be the perfect way to inform the community about what was going on around them, ...


Keynesian Economics- Revenge of the Barbarous Relic
The Market Oracle, UK - 3 hours ago
Journalists can be excused for writing articles arguing how the current decline in consumer prices is good for consumers. Journalists are not economists. ...


Best Syndication

Buy Your Favorite Film Posters Irrespective Of Your Age Group
Best Syndication, CA - Nov 19, 2008
Patrick Arden is a professional writer, presently he is writing articles on nature posters, playboy posters, art posters, photographic posters, ...


TamilEelamNews.com

FMM appeals to Sri Lankan authority to ensure the Safety of ...
TamilEelamNews.com, Sri Lanka - 3 hours ago
JS Tissanayagam was arrested on March 7 th 2008, and jailed for writing articles that were critical of the government. JS Tissanayagam has been served with ...


Business Development Manager, London
ICM Commercial & Business News, UK - 16 hours ago
Manage the company’s interface with the media (editing/writing articles as appropriate); setting/implementing the media strategy. ...


More Thrills Than Skills - A Half-Life in Journalism, Part 103
Allmediascotland, UK - 18 hours ago
But, even as I left, the media were being given a ludicrous list of my alleged visa infractions: arriving on a tourist visa, writing articles for the local ...

Writing-Articles - Google News

home | site map
© 2006