 Basic Organization of Form and Content in Effective Writing
Introduction
In their book, "Writing Effectively", Mary Lynn Kelsch and Thomas Kelsch
both speak of a "controlling idea" that can help organize form and content
in effective writing. For web content development, this "controlling idea"
can be aptly expressed in a key phrase(s) that we develop as the thematic
framework to our entire writing, leading the reader with content that directs
them to the point of the article. If we focus well on our controlling
idea (key phrase) in each paragraph of our writing, then we can create a
well-organized web page that effectively communicates to readers what they
want to know.
Organizing form of writing in terms of a list of topics
After we find or discover our controlling idea and embody it in a key
phrase(s), then one way of organizing the form of our content is to list
down the topics in three to five paragraphs - paragraphs with information
related to our controlling idea. As an example, in the article
5 Good
Techniques in Writing - Effective Writing Techniques, the controlling
idea of this article is expressed in the key phrases "techniques in
writing" and "effective writing techniques". With the number of
techniques given (#5), five paragraphs were created to form the main
body of the article. With an introduction in the beginning and a
summary at the end, the form of the article is completed. Other
forms of writing of the same type can be made with lists on tips,
means and ways, and checklists.
Step by step instructions as a form of writing
Our controlling idea can also be organized through a logical flow of
step by step instructions. In organizing this form of writing, it is
how we detail the steps in simple and direct form that will effectively
produce the desired result for our readers - making our step by step
instructions work for them. An example of this form of organization
in effective writing on the Web can be found in the article
Basic
Web Development - Web Site Development. For this form of writing,
the use of the key phrases "basic web development" and "web site
development" extended the controlling idea to produce a 7-paragraph
step by step guide framed also with an introduction and a summary.
Content organization in effectively writing lists of topics
How we organize our content depends on the form we have decided to
use in writing: whether in the form of a list of topics, or in the
form of step by step instructions. If we decide to use the former,
then an effective way of presenting content in the form of a list
is to introduce the topics from least important first, then gradually
move on to the more important topics. In this way, the reader reads
the light content at first, and then he is gradually prepared to
take on the heavier topics. Presenting our content lightly at first
will not overwhelm our readers, but may even capture their interest
to read more until the end. By the time they finish the article,
they would have obtained substantial information to help them in
relation to the controlling idea they wanted to know more about in
the article.
Content organization in effectively writing instructions
In writing content through step by step instructions, we have to organize
our controlling idea so that the reader may not be lost, but can follow
easily the logical flow that would help them arrive at the expected result.
So before writing the instructions, we have to first outline carefully
in as much detail as we can all the necessary elements of each step
that would lead the reader to achieve the results they want. We can
organize our content to successfully help the reader if we follow a
learn by example style used by many authors. This simple style uses
concrete examples to help readers visualize the steps needed in following
the instructions from start to completion. Julie C. Melonie, in her book
"PHP Essentials: A Better Way to Learn PHP", uses this style in organizing
her instructional content. This web site also uses this style in content
development in its article,
Learn By Example.
Enhancements to make more effective our writing on the Web
After we have employed the basic organizational tips and techniques
given above for the form and content of writing effectively on the
Web, we can then enhance the effectiveness of our writing by also
embedding scripts and objects (third party applications) to illustrate
our controlling idea. As an example, we can embed customized search
tools from Rollyo.com, videos from YouTube.com, podcasts from Odeo.com,
and reference lists from LibraryThing.com. Although these tools are
not basic to writing form and content organization, it can nevertheless
greatly enhance and intensify the effectiveness of the article if used
with proper timing and placement.
Summary
In this article, we have learned about the "controlling idea" that we
need to find and discover for our writing, and to concretely embody it
in key words and key phrases. Once we have the "controlling idea" in
specific key phrases, then we need to organize the form and content of
our article in a way that makes our writing effective. Five techniques
were mentioned above that can basically ensure effective writing and can
also enhance it further with the embedding of third party applications.
In truth, writing effectively comes with the actual practice of writing
regularly. The more we write and learn to organize our writing well
in form and content, the better we become effective writers on the Web.
The more we practice writing, the more we can perfect writing effectively.
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Dennis Emmanuel Cabrera
Web Developer Methods for Catholics
www.c-web-developer.net
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