by Roger Crain

Created on: August 05, 2009   Last Updated: August 06, 2009

Writing an outline for an article depends on whether you have done the research leg of article writing. If you have, then you need to take that information and organize it in such a way that you will see those gleams of truth staring you in the face. Once that organizational phase is completed, a framework or reference will materialized in your mind: this is your outline. Now, you must physically jot down or write that framework or reference in tangible form.

In producing that framework or reference for your article, you should labeled your ideas underneath two or three headings and subheadings, and notate anything you want to emphasize in your piece. The outline should be developed in such a way that will permit you to see the final form of your article. That is your key to start the writing process. For example, we start the writing process by analyzing the title we came up with during the preliminary phases of our research.

Next, the outline should include keywords that would permit you to tag your article so that it can be found on the leading internet search engines. For example, the words in the title can served as the keywords of your piece if your article has been written to that title or clearly written, and you have follow the rules of article writing. Otherwise, your piece will be amateurish and sound like a bunch of sound-bites for hikes instead of professional writers.

For your article to be greatly written, you must write notes underneath each heading and subheading of your outline. This is so that you won't wander off on tangents or write off topic. So to avoid that common mistake, refer that outline and those personal notes to keep you on that straight and narrow path toward professionalism.

Another factor that will keep you on that straight and narrow path of professionalism is to make sure you have a premise for your piece. A premise is the basic idea of your article that holds it together. Without a premise, your article will soon fall apart. But if you are a discerning enough writer, you can ascertained whether you have written off topic or you have written a piece without a premise. The proof of the latter is how well your outline matches the final result of your draft or article.

Finally, getting into the habit of developing an outline of your work will make you a more effective writer; also, you will see improvements of your overall style and writing ability. The tendency is to start writing without an outline, but you must learn to resist that tendency. And before you know it, you will be writing like a pro.

Learn more about this author, Roger Crain.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.