**The Easiest Way to Plan Any Article: From Idea to Final Draft**
Many people think writing starts when you open a blank page. In reality, good writing starts **before** you write the first sentence. A simple plan can save you time, reduce stress, and make your article clearer and more professional.
This guide will show you an easy step‑by‑step method to plan any article – a blog post, essay, newsletter, or social media article.
—
## Step 1: Know your goal and your reader
Before you plan, ask two important questions:
1. **What is the goal of this article?**
(Do you want to inform, persuade, teach, inspire, or entertain?)
2. **Who is the reader?**
(Beginner or advanced? Busy professional or student? Expert or general audience?)
**Example:**
– Goal: *help English learners write better emails.*
– Reader: *busy adult learners with intermediate English.*
When you are clear about your goal and reader, all other decisions become easier.
—
## Step 2: Choose one main message
Strong articles have **one central idea**.
Ask yourself:
> “If the reader remembers only one thing from this article, what should it be?”
Write that message in one simple sentence.
**Example:**
> Main message: *You can plan any article in 5 simple steps, even if you’re not a professional writer.*
Keep this sentence at the top of your notes. It will guide your decisions.
—
## Step 3: Brainstorm ideas (without editing)
Now it’s time to collect ideas.
Set a timer for **5–10 minutes** and write down:
– questions your reader might have
– problems they face
– tips, examples, or stories you could include
Important: **Don’t edit yet.** Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or order. Just put all your ideas on the page.
**Example brainstorming for this article:**
– why planning saves time
– step‑by‑step process
– how to choose a title
– how many sections?
– example outline
– tips for beginners
– what to do after planning
When the timer ends, stop. You now have “raw material” for your article.
—
## Step 4: Group and order your ideas
Next, organize your brainstorm.
1. **Group similar ideas together.**
Put related points in the same group (for example: “title,” “structure,” “reader problems”).
2. **Decide the best order.**
A common and easy structure is:
– problem
– solution
– steps
– examples
– conclusion / next step
**Example groups for this article:**
– Group 1: why planning helps
– Group 2: steps to plan
– Group 3: example outline
– Group 4: final tips
Each group will probably become one section of your article.
—
## Step 5: Create a simple outline
Now turn your groups into a clear outline. Think of it as a **map** for your article.
A simple outline looks like this:
1. Introduction
2. Main point 1
3. Main point 2
4. Main point 3
5. Conclusion / call to action
**Example outline for this article:**
1. **Introduction** – planning makes writing easier
2. **Step 1:** Know your goal and reader
3. **Step 2:** Choose one main message
4. **Step 3:** Brainstorm ideas
5. **Step 4:** Group and order ideas
6. **Step 5:** Create a simple outline
7. **Example:** A complete outline you can copy
8. **Final tips and next step**
You don’t need perfect sentences in your outline – just clear notes.
—
## Step 6: Add key points and examples under each heading
Your outline becomes much stronger when you add a few details to each section.
For each heading, write:
– 2–4 bullet points
– 1 example, question, or short story (if relevant)
**Example (for Step 3: Brainstorm ideas):**
– explain what brainstorming is
– set a timer for 5–10 minutes
– write without editing
– list questions, problems, examples
These notes will make the actual writing much faster.
—
## Step 7: Plan your introduction and conclusion
You don’t need to write them yet, but decide **what** they will do.
**Your introduction should:**
– speak to the reader’s problem or goal
– promise a clear benefit
– show what the article will cover
**Your conclusion should:**
– briefly repeat the main message
– give the reader a clear next step (what to do now)
**Example introduction idea:**
> Many learners stare at a blank page and don’t know how to start writing. This article shows a simple planning method to make writing any article easier.
**Example conclusion idea:**
> Remind the reader that planning saves time and suggest they use the method for their next piece of writing.
—
## Step 8: Turn your outline into a first draft
Now, finally, you start writing full sentences.
Follow this process:
1. Take your outline.
2. Start with the first main section (you don’t have to start with the introduction).
3. Turn each bullet point into 1–3 sentences.
Don’t try to make it perfect. Your goal is to get a **complete draft**, not a perfect one. You can edit later.
—
## Step 9: Example outline you can copy
Here is a simple template you can reuse for many articles:
1. **Title:**
– [Working title – you can improve it later]
2. **Introduction:**
– Problem or goal your reader has
– Why it matters
– What this article will help them do
3. **Section 1 – The problem / context:**
– What is difficult for the reader?
– What mistakes do people often make?
4. **Section 2 – The main idea / solution:**
– Your key message
– Why this approach works
5. **Section 3 – Step‑by‑step process:**
– Step 1 + short explanation
– Step 2 + short explanation
– Step 3 + short explanation
– (add more steps if needed)
6. **Section 4 – Examples or tips:**
– 1–2 short examples
– 3–5 practical tips
7. **Conclusion / next step:**
– Short summary of the main idea
– Clear action for the reader (what to try next)
You can adjust this outline to fit almost any topic.
—
## Step 10: How to choose a working title
You don’t need the perfect title at the beginning. Use a **working title** – a simple phrase that reminds you of the main idea.
A good working title:
– is clear, not clever
– includes the result or benefit for the reader
**Examples of working titles:**
– “How to Plan an Article in 20 Minutes”
– “A Simple Method to Organize Your Writing”
– “5 Steps to Plan a Clear Blog Post”
You can improve the title after you finish your first draft.
—
## Step 11: Keep it simple
Planning should **help** you, not make you feel stressed.
So:
– don’t aim for a perfect outline
– don’t try to include everything you know
– don’t create too many sections
Start small:
– 1 main message
– 3–5 main sections
– a few bullet points under each
This is enough for a clear and useful article.
—
## Final thoughts: Your next action
You now have an easy method to plan any article:
1. Know your goal and reader.
2. Choose one main message.
3. Brainstorm ideas without editing.
4. Group and order your ideas.
5. Create an outline with 3–5 main sections.
6. Add key points and examples.
7. Turn your outline into a first draft.
Don’t wait for the “perfect” idea or the “perfect” moment. Take one topic you want to write about today, spend 10–15 minutes planning it with this method, and then turn your plan into your next article.