Article Writing – How to Outline Your Article
Once you have determined the subject matter and the title of your article, you can begin to outline your article, so that you have a firm foundation on which to write.
A note on this progression of steps: I personally write my title first, and use it as a kind of ruler, looking back at it to ensure that my article content is remaining consistent with my title. However, some authors will write their article first, then craft a title that is consistent with their article content. Either method is OK, although I like the accountability that is created when I craft my title first. I also do not physically write out an outline, as I can easily do that in my mind, and you should be able to do it easily after writing 20-30 articles. If you have never written any articles, I recommend writing an outline first; this will help you keep focused and not run out of direction when writing your article.
Once you have your topic, you will create an outline that will use as a framework the following parts:
1) Introductory paragraph or sentence(s)
2) 3 Supporting ideas to your article topic
3) Conclusion paragraph or sentence(s)
As an example, using the list building article example from before:
One of the sample titles we created was:
The Top 5 Ways to List Build With Precision, Starting With Your Very First Article
So my outline would look like this:
1) Introductory paragraph or sentence(s)
2) 5 supporting ideas to your article topic
a) To list build with precision, you must have a tightly-targeted demographics to which you are directing your efforts.
b) To list build with precision, you must coordinate the topic of your advertising mechanism with the topic of your squeeze page, and the topic of your squeeze page with the content of your email campaign.
c) To list build with precision, you must continually send your subscribers useful information.
d) To list build with precision, you must continually survey your subscribers or ask them what types of information or products they are currently in need of.
e) list build with precision, you must never forget the primary purpose of your list.
3) Conclusion paragraph or sentence(s)
As another example, using one of the time management titles:
Discover the Secrets of Time Management – Free Up 2 Additional Productive Hours Daily
1) Introductory paragraph or sentence(s)
2) 3 Supporting ideas to your article topic
a) Secret 1: Track Your Time Use Daily
b) Secret 2: Create a Goals List
c) Secret 3: Measure Everything You Do Against Goals List Daily
3) Conclusion paragraph or sentence(s)
There is no reason to write an outline that is any more in-depth than these examples. Remember, you are only writing a 400-700 word article about one tightly-themed idea. The purpose of your article is to deliver useful content to the reader, while also giving the reader a reason and an incentive to click through to your website or webpage after reading the article.
