The SCORRE Method

The SCORRE Method

by Silvio Gulizia

When you write an article, a blog post or simply a status update for your favorite social network, the first step is usually to decide if to start writing immediately, or to jot down an outline before, to be sure to follow a logical path and touch all the aspects you want to face. In this situation, the SCORRE method comes in help.

This technique was developed by author Ken Davis and described in “Secrets of Dynamic Communication”, a book thought to teach speakers how to improve their public presentation by preparing with focus, delivering with clarity and speaking with power.

This result can be achieved through a simple scheme:

  • Define the subject.
  • Narrow down a central theme.
  • Define an objective.
  • Illustrate objects with rational explanations.
  • Add resources.
  • Go through evaluation repetitively.

You can make the SCORRE method yours and apply it to your writings too. And it seems to me it could be useful also for planning a personal project.

The Central Theme

The main idea of the method is to define a central concept to which every point relates back. A rule of thumb for every communication is to identify a broad theme and then narrow it down to a particular topic. Getting your boat to the middle of the river will allow you to connect with the current flow.

To get the best results, don’t start with the intro. Go directly to the idea from which your writing flourished. Intro will come later.

To help you stay on the topic and achieve your goal, you need an “objective sentence”. A proposition built around a keyword, as a startup value proposition.

You can go through the first part of the method (SCO, subject, central theme and objective) by following a simple structure:

  • State your post proposition.
  • Pose a question related to this affirmation you did, starting with a preposition such as how or why.
  • Define the keyword.

Answers to the interrogative question are intended to demonstrate how the proposal can be implemented.

Support Your Statement

The second part of the SCORRE method is meant to prove your thesis. The about of your post. Two R’s and a final E stay for rationale, resources, and evaluation.

Here you have to go through a series of key points to make the argument of your post credible for your readers. And the logical flow keeps going right to the end, where the key point will be evident to the readers. These passages should link not only to the keyword, but one to each other, supporting the reader along the path. Try to close each paragraph with a topic that introduces the next one or that will be explained in the following section of text.

Now you need to add some flavor to the cake. Put in resources, anecdotes and even jokes to make the reading more natural, as if you were speaking.

Connect to Your Audience

Once the job is done, you are ready to hit your reader’s memory. Write a captivating intro before addressing your topic and craft a take away for your closure. The opening and conclusion are vital tools to make your post live along: don’t let the hurry to cheat you and spend some time to connect the two things!

Don’t forget in the conclusion to highlight the real-world relevance of your argument, especially in the lives of your audience, so they can return to your post again and again to quote it.

Eventually, read it aloud. Even if you don’t like your voice (I don’t like mine). Is it giving you a starting point, a good takeaway, a quote to share it and confidence in the demonstration?

Evaluation is the last crucial point. You need to evaluate and re-evaluate your post by yourself, possibly not the same day you wrote it, and then submit your writing to close friends before to share it with your readers.