What’s Your Point? How to Write Like You Have One

Written by Michael Martine from Michael Martine on September 27, 2007

Do You Have a Point?

Each blog post you write should make a single, unified point that stays with the reader afterwards. But sticking to the point is harder than it seems. We easily get distracted by our own thoughts as we write. Too often, the strong point we wanted to make became diluted because of undisciplined writing, and doesn’t have the impact we wish. Working against a checklist of tips can help you narrow your blog posts’ focus so that they each make a strong and memorable point.

Tips for Having a Point and Sticking to It

Determine your point in the first place. Spend time drafting it and revising it until it’s perfect, because this will affect the rest of the post.
Write concise headlines that encapsulate your point. Make your first sentence deliver the point right away.
Use proven structures for your writing, such as beginning/middle/end or the classic 5 W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, and why.
Do not just splat out your thoughts and hit Publish. Rewrite and edit for comprehensibility or continuity.
Do not write run-on sentences.
Keep your paragraphs short. Start each one with a topic sentence and make sure the rest of the sentences in the paragraph support the topic sentence.
Use headings to “chunk” your content visually and by topic.
Use bulleted or numbered lists to make your ideas more compact and orderly.
Avoid going off on tangents.
Live up to the promise you made to your readers in the headline.
End strongly: offer solutions, suggestions, and/or review what you wrote.
Only include pictures in your post that support or enhance what the post is about.
Only write about one topic in a post.
Only write posts that are related to your blog’s niche or mission.
Write your headline first.
If you’re using WordPress, write your “optional excerpt” before writing the post. This will help you narrow your focus and think concisely.
Write your main points or headings before writing the rest of the post. Make them succinct and reorder them to best deliver your main point.

My Final Point

You blog because you have something to say. Make sure you’re really saying it: use the tips above to help you formulate a strong point, stick to it, and close with a strong, actionable recommendation. Print this post out or bookmark it so you can reference it quickly when you’re writing for your blog.

Share and Enjoy:

Written by Michael Martine from Michael Martine on September 27, 2007 | Filed Under Writing

18 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

Kevin | September 27th, 2007 at 6:56 am #

Great post Michael. Rob Mead wrote a few days that THE FIRST PARAGRAPH SHOULD CONTAIN ALL OF YOUR BLOG’S MAIN POINTS. That is something I don’t always do.

You also brought up some great points that unfortunately, I have a bad habit of forgetting to do. For example, if I can’t think of the headline I write the article first and come back to it later however I don’t think that’s a major issue.

I do sometimes go off on tangents though. Perhaps thats just my writing style haha
Matt Jones | September 27th, 2007 at 7:10 am #

That is great advice. One thing I would add is to link out to relevant blog posts that support the point you are trying to make.
Michael Martine (Post Author) | September 27th, 2007 at 8:01 am #

I’ve changed my headline after writing, as well. These are suggestions that will work for most people most of the time, but not for everyone all of the time.

@Matt: great idea on the linking!
jblanton | September 27th, 2007 at 8:54 am #

Nice tips for staying on topic. I just started separating my supporting points out as paragraph titles to help really get my main point across. The posts seem much easier to digest. I noticed an increase in people bookmarking them also.

Thanks for the advice Michael
Chuck Anthony | September 27th, 2007 at 10:18 am #

Thanks Michael, That’s a post I may refer back to from time to time. Much appreciated.

And Kevin, just wanted to tell ya I think you have a great site here. I find myself checking back daily for scoop. One of these days I’ll have to get myself a WordPress blog.
Kevin | September 27th, 2007 at 11:51 am #

Thanks Chuck.

just out of curiousity, whats stopped you from setting up a wp so far?
Matt Jones | September 27th, 2007 at 12:38 pm #

BTW I’ve Sphunn this here:
http://sphinn.com/story/7345
Michael Martine (Post Author) | September 27th, 2007 at 1:21 pm #

Thanks, Matt! Much appreciated!
Steven Snell | September 27th, 2007 at 7:56 pm #

Michael,
Good information, and yes, I can easily tell what your point is with this post.
Supernegro.com | September 27th, 2007 at 10:48 pm #

Whenever I see a post on a blog that has more than one topic, or one of those rambling “Random Thoughts” posts (which I always saw as a cop out for developing an idea fully), the site is automatically “low end” to me.
Chuck Anthony | September 28th, 2007 at 12:26 am #

Kevin: Your’re welcome. I’ll be checking out the WordPress Cats!
Simon | September 29th, 2007 at 1:47 pm #

Thanks for your profesional Tips and Advice,
really a good points to share with.
Michael Martine (Post Author) | September 29th, 2007 at 1:59 pm #

Whenever I see a post on a blog that has more than one topic, or one of those rambling “Random Thoughts” posts (which I always saw as a cop out for developing an idea fully), the site is automatically “low end” to me.

Same with me. One of the reasons why I wanted to write this.

Steven and Simon: Thanks!
Simon Heseltine | October 2nd, 2007 at 11:07 am #

Nice post, stumbled and Sphunn
Jerad Kaliher | October 3rd, 2007 at 2:41 am #

Great post. As a fledgling writer it is difficult to go back and read through all of my old grammar books and read new lessons on journalism.

I think the one I am really going to take with me will be #11. I will end with more powerful statements that enclose the article rather than keep it open.
Gareth | November 28th, 2007 at 3:19 pm #

I found your blog via Blogging Bits while I’ve been trying to improve the way I write my blog.
There are some very useful tips here, thanks. I seem to have lost some focus lately about what I actually want to write about. Lately my posts have been a bit haphazard to say the least.
Using these tips will definitely aid me in bringing things back into focus.