Remember how you were taught to write an essay in school? First you write an outline. Then you write the prose. Then you throw away the outline.
What’s with that? Keeping the outline would make the essay more readable. Once again, culture trumps common sense.
Reinforce your message
Once you’re out of school, do your utmost to get your message across. Be unconventional. Attach the outline. Add a summary upfront. Throw in a picture or diagram with a meaningful caption. Highlight important passages. Use callouts. Use italics and boldface for emphasis. Label your paragraphs. Use color. Ask questions. Appeal to the emotions. Write from your heart. That’s tellin’ them.
Write like your life depended on it, because your livelihood probably does.
Follow Jay on Twitter
