Basic Content Structure
Writing article after article can be overwhelming with each piece harder to write than the one before. There are three basic steps that should be applied to every part of writing an article. These steps are obvious. They should be applied with conscious effort particularly when "writer's block" sets in.
1. Write the subject.
2. Explain the subject.
3. Write a conclusion.
This is a blinding flash of the obvious, but, if applied to all parts of writing a post or page, it can move the process forward. When writing seems to come easily, these steps can be applied for the entire piece. When writing is difficult, it may be necessary to apply the steps sentence by sentence.
In a sentence, these 3 steps may boil down to subject and verb with the verb, both explaining the subject and offering a conclusion. For example, if I want to write an article on fly fishing but just can't get started, I would write one brief sentence.
"I fly fish." (subject) fly fish (explanation about the subject - me and the conclusion).
I might add a bit more conclusion. I (subject) fly fish (explanation) to relax. (conclusion)
Keeping in mind, these 3 steps, I can probably write a paragraph about the fact that I find fly fishing relaxing. That paragraph can then become the subject of a post with the explanation being reasons why fly fishing is relaxing for me. My conclusion might be the benefits of relaxing. I have a post, "The Benefits of Fly Fishing."
Professional ball players often say, "One game at a time." because they don't want to focus on all the great teams they will play, but just the next one. If writing is difficult and slow, focus on these 3 simple steps. Don't focus on the whole article. Use these 3 steps to write sentence by sentence and paragraph by paragraph.
I hope advice this helps you to keep on fishin'!
Recent Comments
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Good post, can't really say more since it is as you say Basic Content.. hopefully someone will benefit from this.
Thanks Jim. It is great to have tools like this available for those times when I can't get into the flow :)
Yep, those are the elements of sound writing. It will become a habit if followed persistently.
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Sometimes you need to be reminded! I learned about this writing technique when I was being tutored by my English teacher, in preparation for the classes that I would face while attending College! That was something like twenty years ago, lol!
Furthermore, every little bit of information helps even if it is old school. This method has been around since the beginning of time and used for years by scholars, teachers, writers, college, and university students, The list is endless!
For me personally, without really knowing or being aware of this! I totally forgot about this!
Thanks for the refresher course, lol.
Something so small can change everything for the better!
Have a super weekend and much appreciated!
I owe you because somewhere along the line, this technique will find its rightful place; if not already! :)
Becky