Articles - you want to loan me your formula

Sean Marler · **Articles - you want to loan me your formula -** 11-08-2005, 03:14 PM

For some reason I'm doubting the power of suggestion is going to work here LOL.

Hi,

I see quite a bit of article writing in my near future...

I'm wondering if you have a formula you use when writing articles that helps in the writing process.

Maybe helps the article stay focused, easier to write, flows better... whatever... any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Sean

PS - yes, I did read Michels article on article writing - good stuff. I'm just fishing for other suggestions and opinions.

JP Maroney · 11-10-2005, 12:39 AM

Yes... I have a "Chapter Starter" worksheet that I've used... I created it when I was publishing all my "Path Series" books -- and I shared it with my co-authors.

I'm pasting the text from the MS Word doc here...

Quote:

Chapter / Segment Starter

What is the topic?

What is the theme?

What is the objective (in other words, what do I want the reader / listener to go away thinking, being and doing as a result of learning this material)?

Make sure I answer the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How:

How does the listener, reader or viewer benefit by doing what I’m suggesting? In other words, why would they want to follow through with what I’m suggesting?

What illustrations, stories, examples might set this up?

What key steps or points should the reader / listener follow?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

What action steps can they take to immediately apply what they’ve just learned?

Any other points, ideas, supporting materials, stories, etc.

Sean Marler · 11-10-2005, 07:11 PM

Thanks JP. Good stuff.

Sean

PS I signed up to watch the showdown too

So whatcha gonna do with this list you're building there? LOL

Peter · 11-11-2005, 03:56 PM

Hi Sean,

Here's an archived post from my blog. I hope it's close to what you're looking for:Click here.

Peter

11-13-2005, 10:02 PM

Hi JP,

Thanks for the article/chapter outline - excellent.

Jane

JP Maroney · 11-13-2005, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter

Hi Sean,

Here's an archived post from my blog. I hope it's close to what you're looking for:Click here.

Peter

Very nice... Peter! Makes it seem so "doable" -- the way you spell it out.

Hey... side note (and I don't want to hijack the thread):

Your picture on your blog sort of looks like you're saying, "Listen... listen... stupid. That's not it. This is what I'm trying to say!"

Anyway... that's what it says to me when I see it...

Sean Marler · 11-14-2005, 03:34 AM

Thanks Peter.

Actually every one of your blog post, and a good many of your post on this board and a couple others, have their own spot on my bookshelf - all nice and neat in a 3 ring binder.

Thanks for reminding me about that post.

Sean

Domain Name Guy · 11-14-2005, 12:15 PM

What a coincidence! I'm in the process of writing more articles I'm going to
eventually release, but I thought of checking here to possibly gather more
tips.

JP's worksheet and Peter's blogpost gave me more than what I expected. I
wouldn't have learned this if not for the thread itself, as well.

Thanks ever so much, all of you.

JP Maroney · 11-14-2005, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Domain Name Guy

What a coincidence! I'm in the process of writing more articles I'm going to
eventually release, but I thought of checking here to possibly gather more
tips.

JP's worksheet and Peter's blogpost gave me more than what I expected. I
wouldn't have learned this if not for the thread itself, as well.

Thanks ever so much, all of you.

Well... Super Dave, that's what we're here for!

JP

PS: I kind of miss "Super Dave Osborn" ya'll remember him?

Eric Engel · 11-16-2005, 09:08 AM

More on article layout...

Use several sub headings throughout your text.

A headline, one or two paragraphs, a sub-headline, three paragraphs, another seb-headline, etc.

It breaks up the text, and makes people feel like they don't have to read as much...but don't use too many.

People also like bulleted lists.

And to capture the most readers, keep it less than 600 words.