Today, we’re focusing on the importance of a basic writing structure.
Why?
Because one of the main reasons why writers suffer from “writer’s block” stems from the lack of understanding of the importance of a basic writing structure.
And what is a basic writing structure? It’s basically just your intro, body, and conclusion. Just three parts.
Yeah, it’s elementary.
And it’s very basic.
But oftentimes, as we progress, we often forget the basics.
Maybe it’s because you’re bored with the basic structure. Or maybe just simply forgot.
Doesn’t matter, we’re brushing up on it today. 😊
Disclaimer: This is more useful for technical writers like me who operate with facts. Creative writers have more freedom with how they choose to structure their written works.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s focus on structure in writing. Understanding how to organize your thoughts and present them logically is crucial for effective writing.
Here’s a basic overview of the sections in a basic writing structure:
Basic Writing Structure Section 1 – Introduction
The main goal of your introduction is to:
- Hook the reader
- Provide context
- Present your main idea, article, thesis, or what have you.
Basic Writing Structure Section 2 – Body
The body is going to occupy the largest estate in your written copy. This is meant to support the main idea you threw out in the intro section. The body is also subdivided into different sections with one clear goal which is to explain your point further to your reader. So, the body:
- Develops your main points
- Uses paragraphs to separate ideas
- Supports claims with evidence or examples
Basic Writing Structure Section 3 – Conclusion
Like all good things, everything must come to an end. And that’s what your conclusion is for.
- Summarize key points
- Reinforce your main idea
- Provide closure or a call to action
With those three main sections, you should already be able to go ahead and create a good article or copy.
But I bet you still have questions, don’t you?
Ok, we’ll elaborate further on the main sections. Let’s start with the introduction.
What Makes a Good Introduction?
We’ll Start with the Hook
The hook is meant to grab you attention and immediately reel your reader in. this could be a catchy title, a short meta description, a statement, a question, an anecdote, a cool picture, anything that’s meant to catch their eye and make them pause what they’re doing and follow you.
Provide Context
People like stories and they’ll support stories that have an emotional hold on them. Quickly provide as much background information you can without making it too long in the intro section so that they’ll understand what it is you’re talking about in your article.
State Your Argument Clearly
Make sure they know what your main argument is about or what is the purpose of your article. This guides the reader and sets expectations for the rest of the piece.
How to Craft a Body No One Can Forget
Create Main Points
Organize your ideas into distinct paragraphs, each focusing on a single main point that supports your argument or idea.
Begin with a Clear Statement
By using topic sentences, you can begin your paragraphs with a clear statement of the main idea.
Support Your Claims
Use evidence, examples, or explanations to develop each main point. Add as much detail as you can to support your claims.
Make it Flow
The body is meant to be one entire section in your article that’s only subdivided into subsections. Make sure there is a smooth flow of information from one paragraph to the next by using transition phrases or sentences.
Make it flow.
Get a Reaction with Your Well-Crafted Conclusion
Summarize
If not for anything else, your conclusion is meant to serve as the summary of all the parts of your article. Just do a recap and try not to introduce new information unless that’s what you really want to do.
Reinforce Your Main Argument
Your conclusion is also your chance of reinforcing your main argument in light of the evidence you presented in your article.
Make Them Do Something
The usual thing to do is to provide a call to action. That’s my go to. Here’s one example: “Need a copywriter? Send us an email”
Any Final Thoughts?
You can also end your article with your final thoughts. This is also your chance to provoke your reader’s thoughts with an ending statement that’s related to your topic.
Additional Considerations When Using the Basic Writing Structure
Now if all we really did was just do the intro, body, and conclusion thing, there’d be very little variety in the world today. And that would be a very boring world indeed.
Here are some things you’d want to consider when using the basic writing structure.
Additional structural considerations:
Paragraph Structure
- Use the PEEL method: Point, Evidence, Explain, Link
- Point: State the main idea of the paragraph
- Evidence: Provide supporting facts or examples
- Explain: Analyze how the evidence supports your point
- Link: Connect to the overall thesis or transition to the next paragraph
Overall Coherence
- Ensure logical progression of ideas throughout the piece
- Use signposting words (e.g., “First,” “Furthermore,” “In contrast”) to guide readers
Using the Basic Writing Structure Helps Keep Your Article at the Appropriate Length
- Adjust the length of your introduction, body, and conclusion based on the overall length of your piece
- Generally, the body should be the longest section, followed by the introduction, then the conclusion
- Try to keep it within 500 to 800 words. That’s more than enough to keep your readers entertained. Don’t mind this one, this one’s almost at 1500 words.
How to Start Writing Using the Basic Writing Structure
Start the Basic Writing Structure by Creating an Outline
Before you start writing, create an outline. This helps organize your thoughts and ensures a logical flow of ideas. Here’s a simple way to create an outline:
- Start with your main topic
- List key points you want to cover
- Arrange these points in a logical order
- Add subpoints or supporting details under each main point
Paragraph Development
Now that you’ve created your outline, it’s time to develop your paragraphs so that each paragraph is a self-contained unit of thought that contributes to your overall argument. This basically breaks up your task of creating an article into smaller, manageable pieces of content.
- Start with a clear topic sentence
- Provide evidence or examples
- Explain how this evidence supports your point
- Conclude with a sentence that ties back to your main argument or transitions to the next idea
Using the Basic Writing Structure Helps Make Your Article Flow
Smooth transitions between paragraphs and sections are crucial for maintaining coherence and keeping your audience’s attention.
- Use transitional phrases like “Furthermore,” “In contrast,” “Similarly,” or “On the other hand”
- Refer back to previous points to show connections
- Use questions to lead into new topics
Provide Just Enough Information
Ensure that you provide enough detail to support your points without overwhelming the reader.
- Prioritize the most important information
- Use examples judiciously to illustrate points
- Avoid tangents that don’t directly support your main argument
Despite Using the Basic Writing Structure to Keep it Simple, Mix Up Your Sentence Structures for Variety
Mix up your sentence structures to keep your writing engaging.
- Use a combination of short and long sentences
- Vary your sentence openings (don’t always start with the subject)
- Use different types of sentences (simple, compound, complex)
Use Active Voice
Generally, using the active voice makes your writing more direct and engaging. Check these examples out:
- Active: “The dog chased the cat.”
- Passive: “The cat was chased by the dog.”
Not only did using the active voice shorten your sentence and make it clearer but it also helped deliver the message faster and better.
Coherence and Unity
Ensure that every part of your writing contributes to your main point or argument.
- Regularly refer back to your thesis or main idea
- Check that each paragraph has a clear purpose
- Remove any information that doesn’t support your main point
Revise and Edit, Revise and Edit, Revise and Edit…
After writing your first draft, take time to revise and refine your structure.
- Read your work aloud to catch awkward phrasing or poor flow
- Check that your introduction and conclusion effectively frame your argument
- Ensure that your paragraphs are well-developed and in a logical order
That Ends the Discussion About Basic Writing Structure
So, just remember: it starts with the hook, and then the body where you follow the PEEL structure and ensure that it flows until you reach the conclusion.
That’s it.
You’re good to go.
Need any help? Send us an email.