Step 4: Draft¶
This is when the writing begins. Use the outline from the brief to create your structure and start adding details and evidence around your supporting points. Connect your points, adding headlines and subheads last.
It’s usually easiest to fill in the body of your piece before drafting the headline and introduction, but follow your intuition as to what works best for you. Make sure to read your draft thoroughly and copy edit before handing it over for review.
Get through your first draft quickly¶
In the first stage of draft creation, don’t worry about language or polish—just get the ideas fully formed onto the page. Once you’re done with round one, you can self-edit and add more stylistic touches before handing it over for internal review.
Leave a guide for your editors¶
Mark up any problem areas or queries you may have for the editor. They’ll likely have a fresh viewpoint and help you overcome challenges like word choices or troublesome sentences.
The best writing is often the result of collaboration. Don’t be shy about telling your reviewer where you are stuck or where you need something: examples, a case study, whatever it is that would take your piece from good to great!