Permission is given to reprint the following articles, provided that the following contact information is provided in its entirety. 

© by Bonnie Budzowski, President of InCredible Messages, LP. 
Visit  www.IncredibleMessages.com or contact Bonnie at info@IncredibleMessages.com. 

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Use a One-Sentence Paragraph to Sell Your Idea

By Bonnie Budzowski
President, InCredible Messages, LP

Chances are a teacher told you a one-sentence paragraph is against grammatical rules.  Don’t worry, you aren’t in school anymore, and professional copywriters use one-sentence paragraphs routinely.

If used strategically, a one sentence paragraph can highlight your key point or help sell your idea.

The white space surrounding a single sentence works like a frame, drawing the reader’s eye to the content inside.  It creates a point of emphasis.  Be sure to use your point of emphasis strategically. 

One way is to begin with a benefit or a fact that is important to the reader.  Standing alone, the statement becomes bold and stark.  For example, here is a good stand-alone opening sentence:  Women business owners, holding one of four private businesses in our area, represent a tremendous opportunity.

Another way to use a one-sentence paragraph is to highlight a key point, as I did early in this article.  As a general rule, use longer paragraphs to give background information, and use shorter paragraphs to state key points and recommendations.

Caution:  Since a one-sentence paragraph is a point of emphasis, use the technique sparingly.  Otherwise, the reader’s eye gets confused, and the emphasis turns into visual clutter.

A one-sentence paragraph might just be the ticket to sell or highlight your idea.  Go ahead and defy your grammar teacher.  You’re a professional now!

Permission is granted to reprint this article when the following contact information is included: © 2011 by Bonnie Budzowski, President of InCredible Messages, LP. For more free articles, go to www.IncredibleMessages.com or contact Bonnie at info@IncredibleMessages.com.

When it’s time to create “killer content” in a book or speech that establishes credibility and boosts your revenue, Bonnie Budzowski is the perfect resource.  An expert in communication, Bonnie specializes in coaching authors and speakers to organize & express thoughts in ways that capture attention, sell their ideas, and move people to action.  Bonnie helps her clients build content with less time and angst than they dream possible. 

Bonnie Budzowski is Founder of inCredible Messages, Past President of the National Speakers Association, Pittsburgh Chapter, and Past Managing Editor of Speaker Magazine.

If you’d like to sell your ideas, boost your influence, or advance your career through a book or presentation, call Bonnie at 412-828-1629, bonnie@inCredibleMessages.com or visit her website at www.inCredibleMessages.com. 

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