Prompt 5 - Building a Strong Foundation

In blog writing, there are some simple rules to help your readers. In the last exercise, we learned about finding inspiration in creating your story. Now let’s learn about how to structure your finished story.

Think back to the last great song you listened to our show you watched. Great storytelling seems to effortlessly capture your attention and draw you into the narrative but there’s a lot of rules to music, writing, and other creative forms of expression.

Structure helps your audience understand and enjoy your story. For content creators, framework helps your story and the creative process. 

For example, if you are creating a YouTube video or a blog post, then you typically shoot your video horizontally. But if you are making a video for TikTok or Instagram you will shoot vertically. These apps are formatted for smartphones. If you try to create using the wrong structure, then your image is cropped. Viewers can miss out on seeing the whole story.

The point of your blog is to help people understand your point-of-view. Hopefully, they feel inspired and remember your story. 

A basic structure to follow is:

Introduction:

  • Hook: Share a clear statement, fact or question that grabs the reader’s attention.

  • Background Information: Provide the most important background information about your topic. 

  • Main Point: Present your main argument or position on the topic.

  • Introduction Example: 

Everyday over 70,000 puppies are born. Overpopulation puts a strain on animal shelters and rescues. In this article, I will talk about the importance of having your dogs spayed or neutered.

Body Paragraphs:

  • Topic Sentence: Introduce the main point or argument of each paragraph.

  • Supporting Evidence: Provide facts, statistics, examples, or expert opinions that support your point-of-view.

  • Explanation and Analysis: Explain how the evidence supports your thesis and why it is valuable to know.

  • Optional: Alternative argument if there are opposing views, you can acknowledge the objections of others and refuel with your information. 

  • Body Paragraphs Example: 

Unwanted litters of puppies contribute to pet overpopulation. Spaying or neutering your dog, you are taking responsible action to help reduce the number of homeless animals.

Spaying or neutering offers dogs health benefits. Data shows spaying or neutering reduces the risk of certain reproductive health issues like uterine infection and cancer. Neutering males can prevent certain behavioral problems like roaming. 

Spaying or neutering can positively influence your dog’s temperament. As well as preventing the urge to roam away from home, dogs are less likely to be a ggressive and mark territory. A calm, well-mannered dog is a great family companion. 

Optional Alternative Argument: For preservation of breed, some people argue against spaying or neutering. It is important to consider the difference between ethical breeders who care deeply for dogs and individuals who act irresponsibly. Preserving breed traits through selective breeding has merit, rather than relying on uncontrolled breeding without professional guidance. 

Conclusion:

  • Restate Your Main Point: Remind your reader of your initial point.

  • Summary of Main Points: Summarize the key points of each body paragraph into very concise sentences. 

  • Final Thought: End with a thought-provoking statement, a call to action, or a question to consider. 

  • Conclusion Example:

Having your dog spayed or neutered is a responsible decision that carries numerous benefits. It helps prevent unwanted litters, reduces the risk of reproductive-related health issues, and positively influences your dog's behavior and temperament. Breeding practices can be maintained by responsible and experienced experts to preserve breed traits. Spaying or neutering your dog is a small but impactful action that promotes a healthier and more balanced life for your beloved canine companion. This choice helps to prevent the number of homeless dogs euthanized each year.

In the last exercise, you shared thoughts about finding inspiration and overcoming adversity. 

In this exercise, we’ll use your own story to encourage someone to overcome tests and find support. This can be a complex idea so using a clear structure helps explain your experience, how it relates to someone else, and how facing tests with friends can overcome the toughest challenges.

TESTS & ALLIES John 16:33 In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Your answers will fit the structure: 

1. Introduction:

- Hook: Define the test. 

- Background Information: Your peers, mentors, coaches, or family stood by you. 

- Main Point: When you face tribulation, faith and fellowship help you overcome obstacles.

2. Body Paragraphs:

- Topic Sentence: To start each paragraph, introduce one benefit of facing a test with allies by your side. Each benefit will be a unique paragraph.

- Supporting Evidence: You should write a couple of sentences explaining why the benefit helped you. If you have facts, statistics, examples, or expert opinions you can support how the benefits help. 

- Explanation and Analysis: Explain how the benefit could help others.

3. Conclusion:

- Restate Your Main Point: Recap your main point that you don’t need to walk alone.

- Summary of Main Points: Summarize the benefits discussed in the body paragraphs.

- Call to Action or Final Thought: End with encouragement for others facing similar tests.