{"id":10232,"date":"2015-08-31T13:23:56","date_gmt":"2015-08-31T20:23:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-crowdcontent.com\/?p=10232"},"modified":"2015-08-31T13:23:56","modified_gmt":"2015-08-31T20:23:56","slug":"outlining","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crowdcontent.com\/resources\/writer\/university\/plan-edit\/outlining\/","title":{"rendered":"Outlining"},"content":{"rendered":"

Outlining<\/h2>\n

As a content writer, you want to write quickly. After all, the faster you write the happier your clients will be with your turnaround time, and the more money you\u2019ll make. Since speed is one of your goals, you might think that you don\u2019t have time for outlining. But you do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Save Time<\/h3>\n

Obviously, outlining takes time. But if it stops your writer\u2019s block and limits the editing that you need to do, then <\/span>outlining actually saves time<\/b>. Let\u2019s look at some outlining techniques and time-saving strategies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Work Out a Title<\/h3>\n

Before you can write, you need to know what you\u2019re writing about. That advice sounds obvious, but I mean <\/span>really<\/span><\/i> know. Let\u2019s say your client has given you a topic, but no title. You need to narrow that topic down to a working title. Corey Eridon explains <\/span>the difference between a topic and a working title<\/span><\/a>: \u201c[A] topic is something general, while a working title is specific\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Topic:<\/strong> SEO 2014 trends<\/span><\/p>\n

Title:<\/strong> The 5 Hottest SEO Trends of 2014<\/span><\/p>\n

Topic:<\/strong> Homemade artisan bread<\/span><\/p>\n

Title:<\/strong> How to Make Artisan Sourdough Bread Overnight<\/span><\/p>\n

Your working title doesn\u2019t have to be your final wording<\/b>; it\u2019s just a guide for what you want to communicate in your writing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brainstorm<\/h3>\n

Now, you want to brainstorm ideas relating to your title. Remember, <\/span>in brainstorming, all ideas are good ideas<\/b>. Write down as many ideas as possible, but once you can\u2019t think of any more, move on to the next step. If you can\u2019t think of a title, you can brainstorm that too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Organize<\/h3>\n

Now that you\u2019ve got ideas, it\u2019s time to arrange them. Ask yourself: What are the most important ideas here? Are there any overarching themes? What\u2019s the best flow? Organize your ideas together in logical groups and discard unimportant or irrelevant ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Title: How to Use Commas Like a Pro<\/span><\/p>\n

Brainstorm: lists, no comma splices, conjunctions, with quotation marks, with adjectives, Oxford comma, difference between commas and semicolons<\/span><\/p>\n

Organized:<\/span><\/p>\n