How to Build Book Chapters That Keep Your Readers Reading to the End
The best non-fiction books have a set structure to house their chapters. That structure provides the framework for each chapter. It´s stressful to re-invent the wheel every time with a blank screen. Most people including the author are intimidated by a blank screen. Instead of starting from scratch each chapter, use repeating elements to create structure. In John Maxwell´s “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You’ foreword by Zig Ziglar contains repeating elements that house each chapter. Each chapter has the same basic form. To build chapters that keep your readers reading include these 8 elements:
1. Chapter title: The title immediately followed by a subtitle emphasizes and explains its meaning.
2. Brief quote: Following the title are one to two quotes from your speeches or other authorities in your field which support the title.
3. Introduction: Each chapter begins with a six to eight paragraph of introduction that may include a story presenting the chapter´s main principle or underlying thesis. For short books 3 to 4 paragraphs sound great.
4. 7 to 10 points: Following the introduction may be lessons or tools used to achieve the goal presented in the introduction. Condense your material as you develop each point. Some lessons may require one paragraph and others may need several.
5. Case studies: Each chapter may include one or more story form case studies that support the chapter´s central idea.
6. Self-evaluation tools: The chapter may include brief questions that permit readers to measure their progress with each of the principles described in the chapters.
7. Conclusion: Each chapter may end with four to eight paragraphs that summarize the central idea and supporting points.
8. Other Engagement Tools: The chapter may include other engagement tools such as worksheets, note sheets, lists that work to engage your readers and make them active participants in the book instead of just observing.
Step out of your comfort zone prepare your marketing plan, mine your existing knowledge and create a framework for each chapter, speed write your book and you´ll be surprised at what you accomplish by following the simple steps of an easy writing program.
Earma Brown, 11 year author and business owner helps small business owners and writers who want to write their best book now! Author of 'Write Your Best Book Now', she mentors other writers and business professionals through her monthly ezine 'iScribe' Subscribe now at
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