How to Create a Template in Microsoft Word for Writing On-Line Articles

Although I have written many articles and essays, using MLA and APA styles, sometimes brain fog gets in the way of properly formatting articles. This usually happens when I have been working on an article for quite some time and just want to get it done.

So, I came up with a way to make writing articles for Associated Content easier. I created a template, the structure of which follows, in Microsoft Word. Now, as I write an article, I can simply replace the headings and instructions with article headings and sentences unique to the particular subject I am writing about. Feel free to use this to create your own template.

Title:

Use good SEO practices and make this title unique and creative rather than general

Introduction

Write an introductory paragraph to introduce readers to your article. This should be something that will grab the reader's attention.

Next Paragraph

Use a transition sentence to transition from your introduction to what will be the meat of your article. Begin listing facts or observations relevant to your article.

Whenever you introduce a new idea, create a new paragraph

Continue doing this until you have listed all facts and/or observations.

Ending Paragraph

Use a transition sentence to connect it all together. Summarize your findings or observations--keep it short, that is, don't ramble.

List Your Sources as Follows

Sources:

Example: Mike Street, "Tips for Your Web Video." Associated Content.

Copy and paste this document including the Example for Sources," into a Microsoft Word file. Save this document as a template in Microsoft Word and use it every time you write an article. Don't save over it-save the article with whatever document name fits the title.

To create a template:

Click File | New | Templates. Click the General tab to display the General templates

Click Blank Document and in the lower-right corner, under Create New, click Template, and click OK

To modify the settings, click Format | Style

Select Normal from the Styles list.

Click Modify | Format | Font and then change the settings to size 10 and Automatic as the font color. Click OK to exit.

Click Save to save your document. Word will save the file in its Templates directory and to give it the .dot file extension,
Name your new template AssociatedContentArticles.dot and click Save.

The next time you open the Templates dialog box, your new AssociatedContentArticles.dot template will appear under the General tab.

To use your template, just click its icon to open a blank document - you'll have a structure for writing your articles.

Sources:

Submission Guidelines, associatedcontent.com/guidelines.html

Ivan Walsh, Creating a New Word Template, klariti.com/business-writing/Creating-New-Word-Template.shtml