Step 1: Substance

Step 2 : STRUCTURE – Plotting, Planning, Positioning

The hardest part about writing is the starting. Trust me, we have all been there, even the best of us. You have an assignment, a letter or are just trying to start your blog. You sit there in front of the keyboard feeling overwhelmed, paralysed with a lack of idea in which direction you need to go. Our suggestion?

Just start something. It may be terrible (to you) at first, but just start hammering away with an idea. Then keep going back to change the text or flow….no one can entirely see the whole plot when we start, the ideas will evolve as we write. Perhaps by the end of a finished article, you will have had a total revamp of what you actually wanted to write about, but that is ok. Such is life – it is all about constant change anyway, isn’t it?

So it all comes to

1. Starting with an introduction. Bear in mind it will change. It may not be ready for a reader yet, but it is more for you to get your bearings right in tech direction you want to go.
2. After your introduction, put a few subtitles that will continue the storytelling and then slowly fill it up with content. Write without worrying about how it seems to anyone, write like you are writing for yourself, for you to understand and enjoy
3. Once you have filled up the body, go back to the introduction. Does it now gel with the rest of what you wrote? If not, change it. This is where you work the finesses, the sophistication and the connection of the introduction to the rest of the article.
4. Now check the introduction, the subtitles and the general flow and substance of your piece. If you think it all comes together well, go on and write a thoughtful conclusion.
5. Your conclusion should sum up the entire article well, and leave thought to think further. Make a mark with your conclusion. Like it is your signature. End with a flourish, not a whimper.
6. Finally, you go and give your piece a title you can be proud of.  Read the entire article, FEEL it, and now figure out what can you say that sums up the essence of the article? By reading your title, everyone should more or less know what they are going to get by reading the article.
7. Your title should tantalise, yet be informative enough to be able to give a gist of what the story is about.
8. A bad title is one that says absolutely nothing and creates confusion between what the title says and what is actually inside.

But a storytelling structure can be used for more than just writing an article, it can also be used as a way to showcase yourself in the way you want to be seen. Here are examples of how story structures can help bring your communications to life.

Now we have the structure sorted, join us next time for Part 3 – The Fun & Flair

International Business Review has many stories it has told to many people for many people. Call us at 03-77325886 or email us at marketing@ibrasiagroup.com for help in your various aspects of communication