Simple Article Formula

byDianeK59

4.1K followers

1 month ago

More than a few moons ago, I was a junior 4-H member learning to give demonstrations and speeches. I was very shy (and still am) but was determined to earn those blue ribbons and move on to district and state levels.

I chose topics I knew well—dairy cattle, dog breeds, dog training, and rabbits. Each of my presentations was carefully crafted on paper (there were no computers back then), with colorful charts created on posterboard to explain my topic further.

Even at 9 years of age, I could write quite well. It was delivering the speech that made my stomach churn, my hands sweat, and my voice tremble as much as I was shaking.

What saved me through each presentation was my writing. I started the initial copy weeks before the competition day. That first copy was pretty good, but I spent time perfecting it until that day.

Even now, I find myself using a similar formula for writing articles I used back then and through the years. It was one that our 4-H leaders explained quite simply.

1- Introduction: Tell them what you are going to tell them

2- Tell them

3- Conclusion: Tell them what you told them

Yes, the formula was that simple.

Then, they advised us to dress it up a bit. Start with an intriguing point. It should be catchy or startling—just something to get the audience's attention.

After that, introduce yourself and go straight into your introduction. The audience probably won't see the transition. It should be natural.

Fast forward to when my own kids were in 4H.

One of my favorite catchy points was a driving skit that three of my kids performed for their presentation days. One was the driving instructor, one was a student driver learning to drive, and the third was a passenger. They created a fast one-minute lead-in to their introduction that was both funny and very intriguing. Within seconds, the audience was ready and anxious to hear what they wanted to say.

One of my sons, more of a fun-loving extrovert personality, was famous for the cooking demonstrations he did each year for his demonstrations. He always caught their attention with a short story about the food he was about to create. Usually, it was pretty funny, but sometimes, it was more heart-warming. He'd set up his "magic oven" (to instantly bake the product so he could show the finished product) and grab the audience's attention from start to finish. Yes, he always advanced to state competitions and easily won.

How does this apply to website articles?

Quite simply, the same 3-step formula works well for articles, too. Without writing an "introduction" and "conclusion," we include these in our articles. I like to include "key takeaways" as part of the introduction.

But before the key takeaways, I try to grab the audience. It could be a story about how my Grandma always made me the famous Waldorf Astoria cake for my birthdays, or I could tell a startling fact about the number of dogs given to shelters each year because they need training.

Whatever the introduction, I want the reader to read on anxiously. I don't tell them to read on. I want them to do that because they really want to.

The body, where we tell them what we want to tell them, gives the details to the reader. It may be short or long, depending on how much we need to include.

When they finish the detailed part, the conclusion will reach out to remind them of my main points. This will be similar to what was included in the key takeaways. I then may ask them if they are ready to try making this special birthday cake for their loved ones. Or I invite them to learn how to teach their dog the basics of being a great companion.

All of this is from a simple formula I learned as a 9-year-old 4H member, shaking nervously in front of a very understanding audience.

Do you use a basic writing formula?