#33 How to choose the right order in your writing?
If you expose details without stating your topic and its importance, you risk sharing flowery information without substance.
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Have you ever been in a conversation where someone bombarded you with details about something you didn’t understand?
If you're kind and patient, and you can't escape, you might nod and continue listening. You probably hope that eventually, you'll grasp what they're talking about, why it matters, and what you're expected to do.
This scenario also happens in writing, often at work. We read our colleagues’ raw thoughts but are left to figure out the key points and follow-up actions on our own.
But this situation can be avoided.
We can ask ourselves a set of questions to determine the best order to present information.
These questions are relevant even if there's a template in place. Even then, knowingly or unknowingly, you're making choices on how to fill each section.
Here are those questions:
Am I sharing my thoughts in the same order they occurred to me?
If you answer YES, this could be a red, or at least a yellow flag. Readers haven't had your experiences or exposure to information. They might not connect the dots as you do.
That's why, once your first draft is done, it's worth revisiting it. Rethink if your ordering is clear for those who know nothing about the topic, action items, and more.
Am I giving clear instructions on what I expect from my readers?
Are you writing to inform them? Seeking their feedback? Do you want them to take action? Or do you need them to share information to fill gaps in your thinking?
Whatever it is—or a combination—you need to state it upfront. Otherwise, readers might go through your material without knowing what to focus on. If that happens, they'll contribute less to your efforts.
Am I sharing the outcomes before discussing further details?
Details can clarify the scale of a problem and make abstract ideas concrete.
But if you expose details without stating the topic and its importance, you risk sharing flowery information without substance.
Your readers might be intrigued, or not. But they might not know what to do with that information. Without that knowledge, your writing might lack actionability.
What Are Your Thoughts?
How do you choose the right order in your writing? I'm curious to know what works well and what doesn't for you.
👋🏽 I’m Mel...
I coach tech professionals and help them take meaningful actions based on self-awareness. Say hi on LinkedIn to find out more and join the waitlist.