I use this method all the time to write web content, but whatever you need to write, use this outline writing method to easily create an article or essay, or to simply help blast through writer's block.
All you need is a pen, a plain piece of paper and a few minutes.
If you are like most people, writing web content is about as high on your can't-wait-to-do-it list as getting a tooth pulled, but it doesn't have to be as intimidating as it might seem.
Let's look at two things that might be preventing you from writing - motivation, or lack of it, and not knowing what to write about.
Okay, the first one: Motivation. Call upon the god of motivating phrases, Nike - "JUST DO IT!" And the second one: Not knowing what to write about. You do know what to write about, it's just getting it down on paper that is freezing your thought process; or the fear that people might not think that you know what you're talking about. It's time to put away that fear because you can write, and it all starts with an outline.
Outline Writing
The easiest way to get your creative writing juices flowing is to just grab that piece of paper and follow along! We are going to write your outline right now.
1. Write your topic in the center of the paper and circle it.
2. Let your thoughts roam - write the first word you think of at the top right of the circle, at about the 1 o'clock position. Underline it so the line connects to the circle.
3. If another unrelated thought comes to mind repeat number 2 in about the next o'clock position.
4. If you have a thought that is related then write it next to the related item, underline it so that the lines join and start a branch.
5. Try and keep your thoughts to one word items.
6. Keep going around the circle, branching out thoughts until your paper is full, or you are out of thoughts.
7. If earlier thoughts are related to later ones then join them up with a dotted line or some other form of connector that helps you see their relationship.
8. If you have different colored pens use them for different thoughts, or to emphasize some more than others.
9. Do not censor your thoughts - let them run free.
10. Add some doodles if you like. You don't have to be an artist to doodle.
You have now created your first mind map while outline writing at the same time. Easy wasn't it? From your mind map your branches contain the pointers that you will use to create your web page article or other copy.
You may find that you have so much information that you can now take each branch and create a new mind map, and thus new content for another article.
Create mind maps not only to help you with outline writing but for any topic you want to recall later. So, now that you have created your outline, it's time to get writing!
About the Author:
Fran Jeanes is an internet consultant for icontactwebdesign.com who writes about
internet marketing for the
small business web design company based in Davidson, North Carolina.
No. of Times this article has been viewed :
694
Date Published :
Apr 15 2009