Putting the bottom line on top is the most effective method for writing an informative article. But it is also the least fun method when your background is fiction writing. Skipping the story and stating the point right at the beginning feels so counterintuitive.

Ah, BLOTting, a method of writing I've never been the biggest fan of but can't seem to escape no matter how hard I try. Seriously, it's like a black hole of literary styles. The harder I try to escape, the harder it just slowly sucks me in to doomy oblivion. But I guess that writing the Bottom Line On Top can have its uses from time to time. (Just don't tell BLOT I said that, I'll never live it down.)

When it comes to writing articles though, BLOTting is usually the best method. Articles are not structured to tell stories, at least not in the normal sense. You don't start off with an anecdote and work your way to a witty punchline revelation. You boldly say whatever it is you want to point out and talk about, then meander through your explanation and/or proof.

The trick to this is creating a strategy beforehand. Not a 'here's how we take over the world tonight, Pinky' but more of a 'here's the points I want to talk about, so here's what my leading statement has to be.' Now, the whole global domination plans are a lot more fun to think about instead of figuring out the logistics of a new article you're writing. But global domination can wait until tomorrow night. For now, you have writing to do.

I tend to try and compromise when BLOTting. I'll figure out the main point I want to slap people upside the head with and condense it down to a three sentences:

The hook: Here's my one liner to get readers to think about perusing my article. It has to be catchy while leading directly into the main point I want to get across. "We live under a constant threat from above."
The line: This is the punchline, the leading statement, the gem embedded amongst the coal. It had better be good, or readers are going to flip the page and go read someone else's article. "Space koala pirates have invaded our solar system and plan to plunder your houses."
The sinker: A one liner to get readers to continue reading. A tie-in to my various proofs of why my leading line is true and worth contemplating. "If you don't want to be plundered, you'd better be prepared to face the furry space menace."

And then I'd go into detail explaining the main attack methods of the filthy space koalas and what you could do to defend yourself (they're particularly vulnerable to flamethrowers and bad club music). But that's just my particular style. I've never really been one to follow the rules word for word. (Mainly because I refuse to ever follow the letter 'q', which makes it difficult to follow any words it's hidden in.)

How about you, faithful reader? Do you BLOT? Or do you have a different method of article writing that you prefer?