Written Communication: Does It Summarize?
Here's how I've developed some insight into the internal integrity of articles. I regularly rewrite magazine articles, creating abstracts, for a newsletter client.
The challenge involves taking an article, one that normally ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 words, and condensing it into a few hundred words. The central point of the article should be now be apparent, and I write about in my own words.
When I go through that exercise, I’m amazed at the number of articles, many from highly respected business magazines, that don’t have internal integrity.
An article has internal integrity when the writer started out with a central idea, developed it well, and reached a conclusion involving that idea. The opening might be a brief story that draws attention to a problem.
Then, she connects the dots between the problem and our interests. That’s followed by one or several potential solutions, and the pros and cons of each one, along with a recommendation or two. She concludes the article by summarizing the problem, the alternative solutions, and her recommendation references back to the opening anecdote. That's just one story development model, but one that works.
Often articles don't have that glue that holds all the pieces together in one coherent whole. Some miss one or more parts of the model, others get them in the wrong order, and some don't have a model at all, just the non-fiction equivalent of stream-of-consciousness (a fiction model).
After that, she explains why this issue needs to be addressed. Perhaps the most familiar strategy is the preliminary outline. Before you start writing, you set out the elements you’ll address.
Another possibility is to go back to your message afterward and write a short abstract, and ask yourself whether or not it makes sense. Does the story flow logically and clearly? Do you see any part of your model that might be missing?
A third possibility is just to set aside your writing for a few days, and then look at it later with fresh eyes.
Whichever you choose, and that’s mostly a matter of matching your personal style, your writing will get better results if it has internal integrity.
Robert F. Abbott is an online writer and publisher specializing in consumer information sites, including a QuickList on Cuisinart Mixers , and business communication, including articles that help you increase your communication skills and knowledge.
Post a comment