In our article, Ideas vs. Information, we mentioned that providing context in your post is vital to fleshing out discussions on any topic. To elaborate on this point, we decided to go through some of the defining features that give any piece of writing context, giving the reader the necessary reference points to get through and understand your material.

Without context, your work may just be a string of text that fails to resonate with its intended readers. Not everything you write will be self-explanatory, so give your readers the proper footing they need to get to your message.

1) Establish the Setting

Where is the topic or event taking place? Be sure to explain the physical origins of your subject as you are describing it. Doing so will give your readers a sense of place as they discover more about your content.

Example: if you are blogging about new technology, the location it’s developed in may shed some light on its style or function. Is that cool new phone from Tokyo or San Francisco? How does place effect the creation of something. Your readers will want to know.

2) State the Parties Involved

Identify the people involved in your topic and mention their backgrounds or intentions in relation to what’s being discussed. Provide the necessary links so your readers can find out more about these individuals or groups.

Example: You are blogging about a bitter dispute between politicians. Provide their background, party affiliations and personal beliefs to outline their differences so you can get to the bottom of their arguments.

3) Outline the History of the Issue

Frame your post by exploring some of its history. Chart any major developments or recent changes that have shaped the state of your topic. Your readers want to know where your topic came from to get a better idea of why it is important. Find any common threads that may unite separate topics or subjects together. Look for patterns and correlations that have developed over time to get a birds-eye view of important trends.

Example: You are blogging about financial aid to Africa from Western countries. What precedents have been set? Has aid increased in recent years? Have countries been more reluctant in the past? What challenges have been solved already?

4) Speculate as to What’s Going to Happen Next

If you have efficiently established the history of a topic, you can make a better assessment of where it’s going in the future. This is essential for copywriting, as your piece will have to entail a call-to-action for the reader, giving them an idea of where to go with the information you’ve provided. State any obstacles that may confront your topic sometime in the future so your readers can anticipate developments. You don’t have to be a fortune-teller; you just need to provide a sense of direction for your content.

Example: You are blogging about a new video game currently being developed. You should provide the slated release date and other details related to its creation to provide a more detailed time frame to its current progression.

5) Who is Concerned by Your Topic?

Who is this story going to effect? Highlight the importance of your writing by stating the impact that your topic may have over specific people, places or situations. Examining those affected by your subject matter can help you assess your target audience and encourage your readers to state their needs, in turn allowing you to improve your blog accordingly.

Example: Who can use your list of home improvement tips, professionals or the average Joe? Is your advice geared towards experts, novices, or something in between?

6) Why Does Your Topic Matter?

While this point is really an amalgamation of everything above, it really is the prime question a blogger should be asking as they write their post. If you cannot honestly answer this, your article may be lacking urgency and relevancy.

Example: If you are blogging about proposed developments over a local patch of farmland, state the possible consequences of that new parking lot or shopping mall. Will drinking water or animal habitats be affected? How can major damage be prevented? What can still be done to save that environment?

These elements are applicable not only to blog posts, but to all kinds of writing. Readers need to see the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How in the opening paragraphs of your piece so they can quickly see how it matters to them.

Professional writing is always about meeting the needs of a prospective audience. Providing the sufficient context will lay down the foundations for discussion and elaboration. How much context you provide is usually determined by how acquainted you are with your audience. Determine the knowledge level of your readers in accordance to your niche so you can judge whether you are just stating the obvious or filling in the gaps.

We hope these pointers can help you write your blog posts so you can establish some authority within your niche. If you have any writing tips of your own, we would love to hear them, so feel free to drop a comment or two. Be sure to come back to Apollo’s Blog for more comprehensive blogging strategies and resources.