# Content Structure Frameworks

Proven frameworks for organizing and writing compelling content.

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## Overview

Content frameworks are repeatable structures that guide writing and ensure your content achieves its goals. Use these templates to outline before writing.

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## AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action)

**Best for:** Marketing copy, sales pages, landing pages, email campaigns

### Structure

**1. Attention (Headline/Hook)**
- Grab attention immediately
- Promise a benefit
- Create curiosity

**2. Interest (Build engagement)**
- Explain the problem
- Show you understand their pain
- Present relevant information

**3. Desire (Create want)**
- Show benefits and outcomes
- Provide social proof
- Paint a picture of success

**4. Action (Drive conversion)**
- Clear call-to-action
- Remove friction
- Create urgency

### Example Outline

```markdown
# Stop Wasting Hours on Manual Testing [Attention]

## Testing doesn't have to be painful [Interest]
- Current state of manual testing
- Why it's time-consuming
- Hidden costs of bugs in production

## Automated testing changes everything [Desire]
- Save 20 hours per week
- Catch bugs before deployment
- Team testimonials
- ROI calculator

## Start automating today [Action]
- Free trial (no credit card)
- 5-minute setup
- CTA button
```

---

## PAS (Problem, Agitate, Solve)

**Best for:** Blog posts, emails, social media, persuasive content

### Structure

**1. Problem**
- Identify the pain point
- Show you understand it
- Make it relatable

**2. Agitate**
- Amplify the problem
- Show consequences of inaction
- Create urgency
- Use emotion

**3. Solve**
- Present your solution
- Show how it solves the problem
- Provide proof
- Call-to-action

### Example Outline

```markdown
# Problem: Your API is slow
- Users complain about response times
- You're losing customers
- You don't know why

# Agitate: It's getting worse
- Every 100ms delay = 1% revenue loss
- Competitors are faster
- Your reputation suffers
- Engineers are overwhelmed debugging

# Solve: Our monitoring platform
- Real-time performance tracking
- Identify bottlenecks instantly
- Optimize before users notice
- Case study: 50% faster in 2 weeks
- CTA: Start free trial
```

---

## Inverted Pyramid

**Best for:** News articles, technical documentation, business content

### Structure

**1. Most important (Lead)**
- Who, what, when, where, why (5 Ws)
- Key information first
- Answer main question

**2. Supporting details**
- Context and background
- Additional facts
- Quotes and data

**3. Background information**
- Less critical details
- Historical context
- Related information

### Example Outline

```markdown
# Lead (Most important)
Next.js 14 released today with major performance improvements:
- 50% faster builds
- Built-in caching
- Server Actions stable

# Supporting details
- How Server Actions work
- Performance benchmarks
- Migration guide from v13
- Developer quotes

# Background
- History of Next.js
- Previous version features
- Future roadmap
```

---

## Storytelling Arc

**Best for:** Case studies, brand stories, narrative content, testimonials

### Structure

**1. Setup (Character & Context)**
- Introduce protagonist
- Set the scene
- Establish normal state

**2. Conflict (Challenge)**
- Problem arises
- Stakes are established
- Tension builds

**3. Resolution (Solution)**
- How problem was solved
- Journey and obstacles
- Transformation

**4. Takeaway (Lesson)**
- What was learned
- Broader implications
- Call-to-action

### Example Outline

```markdown
# Setup
- Meet Sarah, CTO of startup
- Team of 20 engineers
- Managing infrastructure manually

# Conflict
- Infrastructure costs spiraling
- Deployment taking 4 hours
- Engineers frustrated
- Investors questioning spend

# Resolution
- Discovered our platform
- Implemented in 2 weeks
- Automated deployments
- Cut costs 60%

# Takeaway
- Infrastructure-as-code is essential
- Right tools unlock velocity
- CTA: See how you can automate
```

---

## How-To / Tutorial

**Best for:** Educational content, guides, tutorials, instructions

### Structure

**1. Introduction**
- What you'll learn
- Why it matters
- Prerequisites
- Time estimate

**2. Step-by-step instructions**
- Numbered sequential steps
- One action per step
- Screenshots/code examples
- Expected results

**3. Troubleshooting**
- Common errors
- Solutions
- How to get help

**4. Conclusion**
- What you accomplished
- Next steps
- Related resources

### Example Outline

```markdown
# How to Deploy a Next.js App to Vercel

## Introduction
- What you'll build
- Prerequisites: Node.js, Git, Next.js app
- Time: 10 minutes

## Steps
1. Create Vercel account
   - Go to vercel.com
   - Sign up with GitHub
   - Screenshot

2. Connect repository
   - Click "New Project"
   - Select repo
   - Screenshot

3. Configure settings
   - Framework: Next.js
   - Build command
   - Environment variables

4. Deploy
   - Click "Deploy"
   - Wait for build
   - View live site

## Troubleshooting
- Build fails: Check Node version
- ENV vars missing: Add in settings

## Next Steps
- Custom domain
- CI/CD integration
- Performance monitoring
```

---

## Listicle

**Best for:** Top X articles, roundups, comparison posts, curated lists

### Structure

**1. Introduction**
- Why this list matters
- How items were selected
- Quick overview

**2. List items (typically 5-10)**
- Each item: Title + description
- Benefits and features
- Examples or screenshots
- Why it's on the list

**3. Conclusion**
- Summary
- Recommendation
- CTA

### Listicle Types

**Numbered (Ranked):**
- Best to worst
- Most to least important
- Sequential order

**Bulleted (Unranked):**
- Equal weight
- Any order
- No hierarchy

### Example Outline

```markdown
# 7 Essential VS Code Extensions for Python Developers

## Introduction
- Why VS Code for Python
- How we selected these
- All are free

## List
1. Pylance
   - What it does
   - Key features
   - Installation
   - Screenshot

2. Python (Microsoft)
   - Core extension
   - Debugging features
   - Why it's #1

[Continue for 7 items]

## Conclusion
- Start with top 3
- Try others as needed
- CTA: Share your favorites
```

---

## Comparison / Versus

**Best for:** Product comparisons, alternative posts, decision content

### Structure

**1. Introduction**
- What's being compared
- Why it matters
- Quick verdict (optional)

**2. Overview of each option**
- Brief description
- Key features
- Ideal user

**3. Head-to-head comparison**
- Feature by feature
- Use table format
- Pros and cons

**4. Use cases**
- When to use Option A
- When to use Option B
- Special scenarios

**5. Verdict**
- Recommendation
- Decision framework
- CTA

### Example Outline

```markdown
# React vs Vue: Which Framework to Choose in 2024

## Introduction
- Both are popular
- Key differences matter
- We'll help you decide

## React Overview
- Created by Facebook
- JSX syntax
- Large ecosystem
- Best for: Enterprise

## Vue Overview
- Progressive framework
- Template syntax
- Gentle learning curve
- Best for: Rapid development

## Feature Comparison

| Feature | React | Vue |
|---------|-------|-----|
| Learning curve | Steep | Gentle |
| Performance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ecosystem | Huge | Growing |

## Use Cases
- Choose React if: Large team, TypeScript
- Choose Vue if: Solo dev, quick prototype

## Verdict
- No wrong choice
- Context matters
- CTA: Try both with tutorial
```

---

## Ultimate Guide / Pillar Content

**Best for:** Comprehensive resources, cornerstone content, authority building

### Structure

**1. Introduction (Table of Contents)**
- What's covered
- Who it's for
- How to use guide
- Jump links to sections

**2. Fundamentals**
- Basic concepts
- Terminology
- Why it matters

**3. Deep Dive Sections**
- Multiple major sections
- Each could be standalone post
- Comprehensive coverage

**4. Advanced Topics**
- Expert-level content
- Edge cases
- Best practices

**5. Resources**
- Tools and software
- Further reading
- Related guides

**6. FAQ**
- Common questions
- Quick answers

### Example Outline

```markdown
# The Complete Guide to API Authentication (2024)

## Table of Contents
[Jump links to all sections]

## Introduction
- Why authentication matters
- What you'll learn
- Who this is for

## Part 1: Authentication Basics
- What is authentication vs authorization
- Common methods overview
- Security principles

## Part 2: API Keys
- How they work
- Implementation guide
- Pros and cons
- Best practices

## Part 3: OAuth 2.0
- OAuth flow explained
- Implementation
- Use cases
- Security considerations

## Part 4: JWT Tokens
- How JWT works
- Implement in Node.js
- Refresh tokens
- Security tips

## Part 5: Best Practices
- Security checklist
- Performance optimization
- Error handling
- Testing authentication

## Tools & Resources
- Libraries and frameworks
- Testing tools
- Further reading

## FAQ
- 10+ common questions

## Conclusion
- Key takeaways
- Choose right method
- Next steps
```

---

## Feature Announcement

**Best for:** Product launches, new feature releases, updates

### Structure

**1. Headline + Visual**
- Clear announcement
- What's new
- Eye-catching graphic

**2. The Problem**
- What users struggled with
- Why we built this

**3. The Solution**
- How feature solves it
- Key benefits
- Demo or video

**4. How It Works**
- Step-by-step
- Screenshots
- Technical details

**5. Availability**
- Who can use it
- How to access
- Pricing (if applicable)

**6. What's Next**
- Future improvements
- Feedback request
- Related features

### Example Outline

```markdown
# Introducing Real-Time Collaboration

[Hero image/GIF]

## The Problem
- Users couldn't work together
- Version conflicts
- Lost changes

## The Solution
- Live cursors
- Instant updates
- Conflict resolution
- 50ms latency

## How It Works
1. Invite team members
2. See who's online
3. Work simultaneously
4. Changes sync instantly

## Available Now
- All Pro plans
- No additional cost
- Enable in settings

## What's Next
- Comments coming soon
- Video chat integration
- We'd love your feedback
```

---

## Thought Leadership / Opinion

**Best for:** Industry commentary, trend analysis, hot takes

### Structure

**1. Strong Opening**
- Contrarian take or
- Bold prediction or
- Provocative question

**2. Current State**
- What most people think
- Common assumptions
- Status quo

**3. Your Perspective**
- Why you disagree or
- What others are missing
- Your unique insight

**4. Evidence**
- Data and examples
- Trends you're seeing
- Expert opinions

**5. Implications**
- What this means
- Who's affected
- What should change

**6. Call-to-Action**
- What readers should do
- Discussion prompt
- Share thoughts

### Example Outline

```markdown
# Microservices Are Overrated (And Here's Why)

## Opening
- Everyone wants microservices
- Most don't need them
- Monoliths are underrated

## Current State
- Industry trends
- Why microservices are popular
- What blogs/consultants say

## My Perspective
- Complexity costs
- Most apps aren't at scale
- Premature optimization

## Evidence
- Case studies of failures
- Cost analysis
- When microservices make sense

## Implications
- Start with monolith
- Extract services later
- Focus on business value

## Conclusion
- Challenge the hype
- Make informed decisions
- Share your experience
```

---

## Framework Selection Guide

**Choose framework based on:**

| Goal | Best Framework |
|------|----------------|
| Drive conversions | AIDA, PAS |
| Educate/inform | Inverted Pyramid, How-To |
| Build authority | Ultimate Guide, Thought Leadership |
| Compare options | Comparison, Listicle |
| Tell story | Storytelling Arc |
| Announce feature | Feature Announcement |

**Multiple frameworks:**
- Can combine frameworks
- Example: Storytelling intro + How-To body
- Adapt to your needs

---

## Template for Any Framework

```markdown
# [Compelling Title]

## Hook (First 100 words)
- Grab attention
- State problem or benefit
- Include primary keyword

## Body (Main content)
- [Apply chosen framework]
- Use subheadings
- Include examples
- Add visuals

## Conclusion
- Summarize key points
- Reinforce main takeaway
- Clear CTA

## Additional Resources
- Internal links
- External references
- Further reading
```

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**Remember:** Frameworks are starting points, not rigid rules. Adapt them to your content needs and audience.