How to Structure a Nonfiction Article

A wide range of creative strategies are available to unify and to organize your nonfiction article. The approach you choose depends upon your subject and your purpose in writing about it. These four classic ways to arrange creative material and to structure a nonfiction article will get you started.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Publishing software

1. Classify for clarity. A subject that can be broken down into several categories lends itself well to this strategy. For example, you could classify holidays by each season of the year or by country of origin.
2. Compare and contrast. When you have selected a subject that falls easily into two categories, you can present it with comparison and contrast. You would focus first on similarities and then on differences. For example, when treating the subject of world travelers, you could compare and contrast business travelers with leisure travelers.
3. Define for direction. Definition is the ideal mode for a subject that is unfamiliar, little understood or widely misunderstood. What exactly is “predictive modeling”? You will need both positive statements covering what the subject is and negative ones about what it isn’t. It’s helpful to also explain how the topic arose, how it works and what its purpose is.
4. Make an analogy. The analogy is a powerful way to explain your subject. The best analogies compare the subject to something your readers know well. Your selected analogy must have several points in common with the subject for it to be successful. A wonderful example of an analogy in action is the New Year’s Eve lowering of the New York Waterford crystal ball which is a glittering analogy of the Big Apple, or the city itself. The points in common are sophistication, polish, brilliant creativity and wealth.

Tips & Warnings

• A creative mixture of these strategies will produce powerful reading results.