Formulas Make Writing Easier: The List

Just as an outline helps you begin with a structure that makes writing easier, a “formula” is a design or structure for articles that is ready-made, widely recognizable, and provides a pattern for expressing your ideas.

Formulas are set patterns for expressing your ideas. In addition to making writing less of a chore, formulas, like outlines, impose discipline, help you determine the components of your article and insure that they relate to one another.

The list is one of the most basic formulas for writing an article. A list article is just that—a specific number of facts or bits of information tied together by a binding idea.

List articles are:

• Easy to research
• Easy to write
• Easy to sell
• Ideal for new writers just breaking into print

“Ten Common Sales Objections,” or “Eight Ways To Avoid Workplace Injuries” are examples of list articles that promise an easy grasp of a cluster of facts based on an overall theme.

List articles are popular among writers, readers and editors. Not only are they easy to write, they are easy to read and make excellent material for editors looking to fill in empty spots in a magazine. Another useful attribute to the list article is that it can easily be reworked, or even submitted in identical form, to other publications.