How to Outline a Blog Post From Annotated Web Research

Research notes scattered across a dozen tabs don't write a post. An outline does. The trick is getting from "interesting things I found" to "the order I'll explain them in."

1. Start with the question

Write the main question your post answers in one sentence. Every section should help answer it. If a note doesn't, it probably belongs in a different post.

2. Gather all your notes in one place

If you annotated pages with Sticky Notes Anywhere, its side panel lists your notes with links back to the pages, and you can search them. Copy the useful ones into a single document, keeping the source link with each.

3. Group related notes

Read through and sort notes into piles by sub-topic. Common groups for a how-to post:

• What it is and why it matters
• Steps
• Common mistakes
• Examples
• Tools or resources

Each group becomes a candidate section.

4. Choose an order

• How-to posts: the order a reader would do things.
• Explainers: simple to complex.
• Comparisons: criteria first, then each option.

Put the direct answer near the top; readers shouldn't have to wait.

5. Write section headings and key points

Under each heading, add one sentence saying what that section will explain, then bullet the notes that support it. Headings that are questions or clear statements make the post easier to scan.

6. Look for gaps

Read the outline as a reader would. Is there a step missing? A question you'd ask next? Note what you still need to research.

7. Check your sources

Before drafting, check each statistic or claim goes back to an original source, not a blog repeating it. Note the source and date.

An example outline

For a post answering "how do I start composting at home?":

• What composting is and what you need (quick answer)
• Choosing a bin: open pile, closed bin or tumbler
• What to add: greens and browns
• What not to add: meat, dairy, oils
• Step-by-step setup
• Fixing common problems: smell, pests, slow breakdown
• When compost is ready

8. Cut

Remove notes that are interesting but off-topic. Save them for another post.

Then draft

With a solid outline, drafting is filling in sections. See batch writing posts and annotating source material.