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How to Write Articles and Essays Quickly and Expertly (2006)

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Re: How to Write Articles and Essays Quickly and Expertly (2006)

#31

Post by Terretta »

For a self-writing timed exam essay, structure more simply:

- Thing because reasons 1, 2, and 3.

- Thing because Reason 1. Reason 1 elaborated. Supporting examples.

- Thing because Reason 2. Reason 2 elaborated. Supporting examples.

- Thing because Reason 3. Reason 3 elaborated. Supporting examples.

- From reasons 1, 2, and 3, the thing.

Paint by these numbers against the clock:

- Divide time available by 5, e.g., 50 minute period, 5 intervals of 10 minutes.

- Tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em: Spend first 10 minutes thinking about the topic and write a thesis statement based on three persuasive reasons you can support with examples from what you remember about the topic. (10 mins)

- Tell 'em (x3): Spend each of the next 10 minute blocks writing a paragraph connecting that part, elaborating on the reason, then providing as many supporting examples as you can fit in the ten minutes. (3 x 10 mins)

- Tell 'em what you told 'em: Write a compelling conclusion based on the reasons. Spend any leftover time proof-reading. (10 mins)

Re: How to Write Articles and Essays Quickly and Expertly (2006)

#32

Post by joewee »

IC4RUS wrote: post #19
joewee wrote: post #12

I had to write a weekly technology column for a number of years. The best method I found was to prepare a outline of the content you are going to write as a series of questions. For my column I used 5 questions in a logical progression. Example question might be "Why is this technology important to small businesses?" Once I defined the questions, I wrote in sprints without correcting grammar or spelling to answer eac…

That's an impressive volume - was it all for the same technology column? And were they articles that required research?

I choose the topic, did enough research to paint the narrative I had in my head, but a lot of the role of a columnist is opinion based on personal experience and expertise.

Re: How to Write Articles and Essays Quickly and Expertly (2006)

#33

Post by joewee »

1337biz wrote: post #16
joewee wrote: post #12

I had to write a weekly technology column for a number of years. The best method I found was to prepare a outline of the content you are going to write as a series of questions. For my column I used 5 questions in a logical progression. Example question might be "Why is this technology important to small businesses?" Once I defined the questions, I wrote in sprints without correcting grammar or spelling to answer eac…

I once watched an obscure online course by some Canadian lawyer with a similar method for writing books that way. Wasn't by any chance your inspiration?

It was based on a book writing method. Might be the same person. He sold his training material in printed form.

Re: How to Write Articles and Essays Quickly and Expertly (2006)

#34

Post by joewee »

1337biz wrote: post #27
lawrencewu wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you happen to know the name of the course? Very interested.

From the recording it looked like a rip from a video tape straight out of the 80s. To be honest I found it in the early 2000s on a now defunct torrent tracker when already all sales pages had gone and only some scam reports still existed. Had a super fluffy title something like 'write a book in 21 days guaranteed' but I gave it a chance because I was curious. It was actually just like OP described, only applied for n…

Sounds like the same method I’m using from the same source. He also recommended expert interviews, preparing the questions for experts in the field and setting up calls to get their answers. It’s a great technique in my opinion, but I never tried to write a book using it. It definitely helped my column writing.

Re: How to Write Articles and Essays Quickly and Expertly (2006)

#35

Post by joewee »

raldu wrote: post #13
joewee wrote: post #12

I had to write a weekly technology column for a number of years. The best method I found was to prepare a outline of the content you are going to write as a series of questions. For my column I used 5 questions in a logical progression. Example question might be "Why is this technology important to small businesses?" Once I defined the questions, I wrote in sprints without correcting grammar or spelling to answer eac…

The same approach works in presentations as well. By framing your speech as a series of key questions to be answered, your presentation feels more like a real "conversation," rather than just dumping some encyclopedic information in a textbook-like order.

Yes I learned the same thing in consulting, craft the narrative first.

Re: How to Write Articles and Essays Quickly and Expertly (2006)

#36

Post by 1337biz »

joewee wrote: post #34
1337biz wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From the recording it looked like a rip from a video tape straight out of the 80s. To be honest I found it in the early 2000s on a now defunct torrent tracker when already all sales pages had gone and only some scam reports still existed. Had a super fluffy title something like 'write a book in 21 days guaranteed' but I gave it a chance because I was curious. It was actually just like OP described, only applied for n…

Sounds like the same method I’m using from the same source. He also recommended expert interviews, preparing the questions for experts in the field and setting up calls to get their answers. It’s a great technique in my opinion, but I never tried to write a book using it. It definitely helped my column writing.

Totally forgot about that! But yes, that was him! I still have issues coming up with topics and the right questions. It is really hard to overcome that self-criticism. What is your way to overcome this?
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