<div class="fr-view"><p>So you want to write about a topic but don’t know how to write it?</p>
<p>Breaking your story or topic down into list form can be a fantastic way to communicate your message. People tend to skim read an article, and lists and countdowns are easy to read with a flexible format so your audience can understand your main points clearly and succinctly. ;</p>
<p>You’ll find these lists or ‘top 10’s’ everywhere on the internet as they can be used to entertain or educate your audience in a fun and simple way.</p>
<p>We’ve put together our own list of top tips when putting together your own list.</p>
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					<span class="zfNum">1</span>
					Keep your list organised and to the point				</h3>
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						<img width="767" height="509" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/organised.jpg?fit=767%2C509&;ssl=1" class="" alt="The back of a person&#039;s head and shoulders, looking at a wall covered in pieces of paper with various notes, images and diagrams on them." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/organised.jpg?w=767&;ssl=1 767w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/organised.jpg?resize=300%2C199&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/organised.jpg?resize=360%2C239&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/organised.jpg?resize=545%2C362&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
								<cite class="zfCredit">		<a class="zf-media_credit" target="_blank" href="https://pixabay.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">pixabay</a>
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					<p>People love reading lists. They are some of the most viewed articles on the internet. This is because they break down their topics into bite sized chunks and allow people to skip to the topics they’re most interested in. To do this, think of the main points you want to raise in your article and use these as starting points for your subheadings.<br><br>When you’re organising your list make sure each section is defined and concise. Also check each list item is within the context or answers your title. If you’re talking about cats, don’t drift off and start talking about dogs!<br><br>Unless you’re making a step-by-step process, it's always a good idea to put your strongest point or tip first. People often skim articles so you want to grab their attention and keep them on your page.</p><p><br></p>			</li>
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					<span class="zfNum">2</span>
					Choose your tone of voice and show your personality				</h3>
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						<img width="768" height="513" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Personality.jpg?fit=768%2C513&;ssl=1" class="" alt="A man in an office leaning back on his chair, looking at the camera and smiling. He has a note stuck to his forehead that says &#039;Be happy&#039; with a smiley face on it." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Personality.jpg?w=768&;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Personality.jpg?resize=300%2C200&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Personality.jpg?resize=360%2C240&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Personality.jpg?resize=545%2C364&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
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					<p>Lists are great because they give you the opportunity to show more of your personality through your writing. When reading lists people aren’t expecting a long, formal piece of writing. They’re usually looking for an answer to a specific question, an opinion on a topic or something quick to read to pass the time. It’s ok to keep it light and add some humour if it’s appropriate.</p><p><br></p>			</li>
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					<span class="zfNum">3</span>
					Stay consistent				</h3>
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						<img width="765" height="479" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Consistent.jpg?fit=765%2C479&;ssl=1" class="" alt="Close up of a person&#039;s hand holding a marker pen, hovering over a piece of paper titled &#039;Checklist&#039; with an empty list underneath." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Consistent.jpg?w=765&;ssl=1 765w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Consistent.jpg?resize=300%2C188&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Consistent.jpg?resize=360%2C225&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Consistent.jpg?resize=545%2C341&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
								<cite class="zfCredit">		<a class="zf-media_credit" target="_blank" href="https://pixabay.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">pixabay</a>
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					<p>When writing your list try to keep the formatting and style of writing consistent. It makes your text easier to read and more engaging, so people are more likely to read your article to the end.</p><p><br></p>			</li>
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					<span class="zfNum">4</span>
					It’s ok to show your opinion				</h3>
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						<img width="767" height="534" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Opinion.jpg?fit=767%2C534&;ssl=1" class="" alt="2 people sat next to each other at a table working on their laptops in an open office. The woman on the left is smiling, looking at the camera and holding up a large blue speech bubble." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Opinion.jpg?w=767&;ssl=1 767w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Opinion.jpg?resize=300%2C209&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Opinion.jpg?resize=360%2C251&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Opinion.jpg?resize=545%2C379&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
								<cite class="zfCredit">		<a class="zf-media_credit" target="_blank" href="https://pixabay.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">pixabay</a>
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					<p>Lists can become opinion based (in fact a ‘Top 10’ is itself a ranked opinion) and it’s completely ok to showcase your opinion, as long as you remember to respect the opinions of others in return.<br><br>In fact, you could even generate some great discussion in the comments about your list with other readers.<br><br>Be sure to follow our <a href="https://thehootstudents.com/guidelines/">guidelines</a> if you’re unsure of anything.</p><p><br></p>			</li>
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					<span class="zfNum">5</span>
					Use images 				</h3>
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						<img width="727" height="382" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Image.jpg?fit=727%2C382&;ssl=1" class="" alt="A printed image laid on a table surface of grass with a grazing goat. The goat is coming out of the image and appears to be 3D." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Image.jpg?w=727&;ssl=1 727w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Image.jpg?resize=300%2C158&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Image.jpg?resize=360%2C189&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Image.jpg?resize=545%2C286&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
								<cite class="zfCredit">		<a class="zf-media_credit" target="_blank" href="https://pixabay.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">pixabay</a>
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					<p>They say a picture is worth 1,000 words (I don&rsquo;t know who &lsquo;they&rsquo; are, but they said it) and it&rsquo;s true that a good image can help support your message, as well as break up the information in an article.<br><br>A good image can also make people stop skimming and take notice of what you&rsquo;re writing about (like seeing an image of a goat). Which is why it&rsquo;s also important to make sure your image is relevant to the point you&rsquo;re making (unlike using the image of a goat &ndash; unless of course you&#039;re writing about goats).</p><p>Please use images from the following four free image sites:</p><ul><li><a href="https://pixabay.com/">Pixabay</a></li><li><a href="https://www.pexels.com/">Pexels</a></li><li><a href="https://unsplash.com/">Unsplash</a></li><li><a href="https://www.canva.com/">Canva</a></li></ul><p data-empty="true">If any images are not from our four free sites (unless you have paid for them or you have made them yourself), they will be replaced or removed.</p><p>We&rsquo;ve got some more tips about images and how to source them on our <a href="https://thehootstudents.com/adding-great-graphics/">adding great graphics</a> article.</p><p><br></p>			</li>
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					<span class="zfNum">6</span>
					Don’t forget to edit and check your work!				</h3>
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						<img width="772" height="510" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/check-your-work.jpg?fit=772%2C510&;ssl=1" class="" alt="A woman who appears frustrated looking at her laptop whilst biting a pencil." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/check-your-work.jpg?w=772&;ssl=1 772w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/check-your-work.jpg?resize=300%2C198&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/check-your-work.jpg?resize=768%2C507&;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/check-your-work.jpg?resize=360%2C238&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/check-your-work.jpg?resize=545%2C360&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
								<cite class="zfCredit">		<a class="zf-media_credit" target="_blank" href="https://pixabay.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">pixabay.com</a>
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					<p>We all know you don’t want spelling or grammar mistakes in your work, but it’s also equally important to make sure that you’re getting your point across accurately. What might make sense to you may read completely different for someone else. So it’s always a good job to get someone else to read through your work if you can. The feedback you receive can also help to refine your writing style.</p><p><br></p>			</li>
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 <h2 class="zf_title">Now it's time to write your list...</h2>
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 <p>We hope these tips help you with producing your amazing lists and countdowns! If you need any extra help please do get in touch at oustudents-magazine[at]open.ac.uk.</p><p>We look forward to reading your work!</p> </div>
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