Capstone: Your Writing System

Bringing It All Together

You’ve learned the pieces. Now let’s build them into a sustainable system.

Good writing isn’t about occasional heroic efforts. It’s about consistent practice that compounds over time.

Your Complete Writing Workflow

THINK
├── What's my main point?
├── Who's my audience?
└── What do I want them to do?
    ↓
DRAFT
├── Use AI to get words on the page fast
├── Don't judge—just generate
└── Multiple options if stuck
    ↓
STRUCTURE
├── Organize for the reader
├── Lead with the key point
└── Make it skimmable
    ↓
EDIT
├── Cut unnecessary words
├── Strengthen weak verbs
├── Simplify complex sentences
    ↓
VOICE
├── Add your perspective
├── Include specific examples
├── Make it sound like you
    ↓
REVIEW
├── Read aloud
├── Check the call to action
└── Send with confidence

Building Your Template Library

Templates save time on recurring writing.

For each type of writing you do regularly:

1. Identify the structure that works
2. Create a template with placeholders
3. Save it somewhere accessible
4. Use it, refine it based on results

Template categories to consider:

Creating Your Templates

Template structure:

AI: "Create a template for [type of writing].

Purpose: [Why I write these]
Typical audience: [Who reads them]
Key elements that should always be included:
- [Element 1]
- [Element 2]
- [Element 3]

Create a template with:
- Structure/sections
- Placeholder text for what goes where
- Notes on tone and approach"

Example: Weekly Status Update Template

WEEKLY STATUS: [Project Name] - Week of [Date]

**Summary**
[1-2 sentence overview of the week]

**Completed This Week**
- [Item 1]
- [Item 2]
- [Item 3]

**In Progress**
- [Item with status]
- [Item with status]

**Blockers/Needs**
- [What you need from others]

**Next Week**
- [Priority 1]
- [Priority 2]

**Questions/Discussion Needed**
- [If any]

Your Editing Checklist

Use for every piece before sending:

Structure

• Main point is clear and early
• Organization makes sense for reader
• Easy to skim

Clarity

• Unnecessary words cut
• Sentences are clear, not convoluted
• Jargon appropriate for audience

Voice

• Sounds like me, not generic AI
• Includes specific examples or opinions
• Tone matches the relationship and context

Action

• Clear call to action (if needed)
• Reader knows what to do next
• Easy for them to respond/act

Final

• Read aloud—no stumbles
• Would I be proud to sign this?

Quick check: Before moving on, can you recall the key concept we just covered? Try to explain it in your own words before continuing.

Building the Practice Habit

Writing improves with practice. Make it automatic.

Daily practice opportunities:

• One thoughtful email (use the workflow)
• One Slack message that’s well-structured
• One document section using a template

Weekly review:

• What did I write that worked well?
• What could I have done better?
• What technique from this course will I focus on next week?

The compound effect: Slightly better writing every day adds up to dramatically better writing over time.

Measuring Progress

Signs you’re improving:

• Writing takes less time
• You get fewer clarifying questions
• People act on what you write
• You feel more confident sending things
• You notice bad writing more easily

Track informally:

• How long did this take vs. similar writing before?
• Did I get the response I wanted?
• Did I use techniques from this course?

Your AI Prompt Library

Build prompts for your common needs:

First draft:

Write a first draft about [topic].
Audience: [who]
Purpose: [goal]
Key points: [bullets]
Tone: [style]
My voice characteristics: [from lesson 7]

Editing:

Edit this for clarity and concision.
Cut unnecessary words.
Strengthen weak verbs.
Keep my voice intact.

Structure check:

Review this structure.
Is the main point clear and early?
Would a busy reader get the message from a scan?
Suggest improvements.

Audience adaptation:

Rewrite this for [audience].
They know: [background]
They need: [from this]
Adjust formality to: [level]

Course Summary

Across eight lessons, you’ve learned to:

1. Partner with AI — Handle mechanics with AI, provide meaning yourself
2. Beat the blank page — Generate ideas and drafts quickly
3. Structure for readers — Organize so people follow and remember
4. Edit for clarity — Cut fluff, strengthen verbs, simplify
5. Adapt your style — Write differently for different audiences
6. Write persuasively — Move people from A to B with good arguments
7. Develop your voice — Sound distinctively, authentically you
8. Build a system — Sustainable practice that compounds over time

Your Next Steps

This week:

1. Apply one technique from this course to your next email
2. Create one template for writing you do repeatedly
3. Build your editing checklist (start with 5 items)

This month:

1. Teach AI your voice (give it examples)
2. Create 3-5 templates for common writing
3. Do one weekly review of your writing

Ongoing:

1. Use the workflow for important writing
2. Add to your template library
3. Keep refining your AI prompts
4. Practice consciously—not just quantity, but quality

The Writing Advantage

In a world where everyone can access AI, writing skill still matters.

Not because you write alone—you don’t have to. But because you know what good writing looks like. You know how to structure, edit, persuade, and maintain your voice.

AI is the tool. You’re the craftsperson.

Now go write something.