Lesson 5 - Outlines Make Your Story Clear and Easy to Understand
You have a strong understanding of story structure from Lesson 3 and how using a writing process can help you create vivid and creative stories even when are feeling uninspired. Now let’s learn about how to structure your storytelling to grab your audience’s attention.
There are many distractions in the world. Many people in the world are closed off to the teachings of Jesus. How do you stand out from the crowd and capture someone’s attention so you can share the Word?
Professional storytellers use structure. 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 actually a lot of rules to music, writing, and other creative forms of expression.
If you use the basic principles in this lesson, you can help people understand your point-of-view. Hopefully, they feel inspired by your story and embrace the message. From
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 aggressive 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.
Activation 5
In the last activation you shared a first-hand experience in local ministry.
Since you cannot always connect in the real world with those who need to hear the Word. In order to make your blogs, social media, and other storytelling most effective, you need to gain skills in multiple forms of storytelling. The blog you created in Activation 4 is a narrative about your mission work. Narrative storytelling speaks to people with similar experiences and beliefs as you.
Let’s reach audiences who may not share your beliefs!
For this blog entry, you will use your own story to encourage someone to overcome tests and find support.
This can be a complex idea especially when you are posting a blog onto the internet. You don’t know who the person is or their exact needs but you know that turning to Jesus ends suffering.
Using a clear and careful hook, background, and argument structure helps relate your experience to others. This storytelling structure encourages people to consider your arguments.
The theme of your blog entry is 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.