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Structure Your Writing Around One Core Idea

https://hbr.org/2022/01/a-very-simple-way-to-improve-your-writing?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_notactsubs
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Tip

There’s a simple framework that can help you sharpen your writing by presenting your argument in a clear, concise, and engaging way. It’s called the “one idea” rule. In short, every component of a successful piece of writing (a pitch, report, presentation, or even an email) should express only one central idea.

To identify what that is, ask yourself the following questions: What do I know about this topic? What inspires me about this topic? What can I say that will be interesting or surprising to others? Use these questions to narrow down your angle.

Next, find evidence (facts, anecdotes, data) that may be useful or surprising to others, and that supports the point you want to make. Also, take note of any evidence that counters your argument. If you’re able to call out and address counterpoints before the reader discovers them, you’ll strengthen your main idea.

Only include information that's relevant. Anything else will just be distracting. If all of your examples are obviously related to the main topic, then it will be relatively easy to take the next step: ordering them into a story outline with a beginning, middle, and end.

Translations

🇨🇳 围绕一个核心思想构思你的写作

有一个简单的框架可以帮助你用一种清晰、简洁和吸引人的方式表达你的观点,从而提高你的写作水平。 这就是所谓的“一个想法”规则。简而言之,一篇成功的文章的每一个组成部分(演讲、报告、陈述,甚至电子邮件)都应该只表达一个中心思想。

要确定这是什么,问自己以下问题:我对这个话题了解多少? 是什么启发了我这个话题? 我能说些什么让别人感兴趣或感到惊讶? 用这些问题缩小你的角度。

接下来,寻找证据(事实、轶事、数据),这些证据可能对其他人有用或令人惊讶,支持你想要表达的观点。同时,记下任何反驳你观点的证据。如果你能在读者发现之前,大声说出并提出相应的观点,你就能强化文章的中心思想。

只写相关的信息。其他的事情只会让人分心。如果你所有的例子都与主题明显相关,那么下一步就相对容易了:将它们排列成一个故事大纲,包括开头、中间和结尾。

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