Long before Alan Greenspan became the United States Federal Reserve Chairman, he:
- Was a stand-up comedian
- Wrote scripts for early sitcoms
- Played sax in swing bands
Hard to picture Greenspan doing anything wild or fun, isn’t it? We'll get back to that in a bit... Conversely, I’ll bet that those of you who know me are having a hard time imagining me writing straightforward, business-like articles. Well, I can, and you can, too if you follow a few simple guidelines.
In this article, I will share five ideas that will help you write concise articles, letters, brochures and web sites.
1. The first thing you should do is try to get someone’s attention – fast!
The first sentence is called a “grabber” and needs to suck someone into your story. I used a “pop quiz” in this article. (Got your attention, didn’t it?)
2. My second suggestion would be to start writing every piece in an outline form .
The benefit to using outlines is that they help organize your thoughts while providing you a 10,000-foot perspective on your topic. Also, freethinkers like me tend to wander into fresh ideas as we write, and using outline format helps keep the writer focused on the main points at hand. To access "Outline" mode in Microsoft Word, click "View" and then select "Outline" from the drop-down menu.
3. My next suggestion is that you follow an Outline Flowchart (see diagram).
[quotesright]This flowchart is the most valuable writing tool I’ve ever learned.[/quotesright] Other than finding parking spots in crowded parking lots, it was the best thing I took away from my stint at Akron University. It works whether you are writing a book, thesis, article, brochure, or web site. Thankfully, the concept stuck with me and has served me well.
I also can sniff out a good parking spot from incredible distances, too.
4. Once you have turned your outline into the Outline Flowchart, all that remains is to fill in your paragraphs with supporting sentences.
Make sure that each Body Paragraph starts with a Topic Sentence, and that each Topic Sentence is supported with clear and concise information.
5. “You can’t see the spinach in your own teeth!”
[quotesright]The final secret I’ll reveal is to never serve as your own proofreader.[/quotesright] Objectively critiquing your own work is nearly impossible, so don’t try. Perhaps you may find another author to "team up" with and swap proofing work. Ideally, you’ll find someone who has a grasp of your company, industry, and style. This person could serve to enhance your articles, not just proofread for accuracy.
Here’s a brief recap for writing successfully:
- Get the reader’s attention
- State your main point
- Support your main point
- Restate your main point
- Summarize and quit
This article required less than two hours (with graphics!) because I followed the Outline Flowchart. I hope following the suggestions contained herein helps you craft better articles.
In closing, the answer to the pop quiz is "C." After high school, Greenspan studied music at the Juilliard School and accepted his first real job as a clarinet and saxophone player in a swing band.
