Plan what you write & write what you plan
Planning takes time. You aren’t “doing” anything. Clicking away at the computer feels good and usually ends up in multiple, painful revisions.
A successful plan includes your conclusions with supporting data, audience & context, and purpose.
STEP 1: Turning Data into a Pattern into Main Messages
- Does the data/information show patterns/groupings? Or not? What does that actually mean?
- What conclusions emerge from the patterns/groupings of data?
- What’s my main message? Support?
STEP 2: Analyzing Context & People
- How will the audience use conclusions/data?
- What do they already know/not know?
- How will they react (+ or -)?
STEP 3: Writing with Purpose
- Why am I writing?
- Why am I recommending this action?
- What’s the document goal?
