From Outline to Draft

Converting outlines into full drafts is where content takes shape. This lesson covers techniques for generating high-quality first drafts from structured outlines.

The Outline-to-Draft Challenge

An outline provides structure, but drafting requires:

• Expanding bullet points into paragraphs
• Creating smooth transitions
• Maintaining consistent voice
• Integrating research naturally
• Hitting word count targets

Section-by-Section Generation

Why Not Generate All at Once?

Generating long content in one prompt often leads to:

• Declining quality toward the end
• Inconsistent depth across sections
• Lost details from the outline
• Context window issues

Section Generation Pattern

Maintaining Continuity

Pass context between section generations:

async function generateDraftSections(outline, research) {
  const sections = [];
  let previousSummary = '';

  for (const section of outline.sections) {
    const draft = await generateSection({
      section,
      research: filterRelevantResearch(research, section),
      previousContext: previousSummary,
      nextSection: getNextSection(outline, section),
      overallTone: outline.tone,
      wordTarget: section.wordCount
    });

    sections.push(draft);

    // Create summary for continuity
    previousSummary = await summarizeSection(draft, 50);
  }

  return sections;
}

Transition Generation

Creating Smooth Connections

Transition Patterns

const transitionPatterns = {
  contrast: "While [previous topic] addresses X, [next topic] tackles the equally important challenge of Y...",
  building: "Building on this foundation of [previous], let's explore how [next] takes things further...",
  consequence: "The implications of [previous] naturally lead us to consider [next]...",
  question: "But what happens when [previous situation]? This is where [next topic] becomes crucial...",
  example: "We've seen [previous concept] in theory. Now let's look at [next] in practice..."
};

Integrating Research

Natural Citation Integration

Quote Integration

const quoteIntegrationPrompt = `
Integrate this expert quote into the paragraph naturally.

QUOTE: "${quote.text}" - ${quote.speaker}, ${quote.role}

PARAGRAPH CONTEXT: ${context}

INTEGRATION RULES:
1. Don't start the paragraph with the quote
2. Provide context before the quote
3. Comment on or expand the quote afterward
4. Make it feel like a natural part of the argument
`;

Draft Assembly

Combining Sections

async function assembleDraft(sections, outline) {
  let draft = '';

  // Add title
  draft += `# ${outline.title}\n\n`;

  // Add each section with proper formatting
  for (let i = 0; i < sections.length; i++) {
    const section = sections[i];

    // Add section heading
    if (section.heading) {
      draft += `## ${section.heading}\n\n`;
    }

    // Add section content
    draft += section.content + '\n\n';

    // Add transition if not last section
    if (i < sections.length - 1 && section.transition) {
      draft += section.transition + '\n\n';
    }
  }

  return draft;
}

Post-Assembly Checks

async function postAssemblyReview(draft, outline) {
  return {
    wordCount: countWords(draft),
    targetDifference: countWords(draft) - outline.totalWordTarget,
    sectionsCovered: checkSectionsCovered(draft, outline),
    researchIncluded: checkResearchIncluded(draft, outline.research),
    ctaPresent: checkCTAPresent(draft, outline.cta)
  };
}

Exercise: Generate a Draft Section

Key Takeaways

• Generate drafts section-by-section for better quality
• Pass context between sections for continuity
• Create explicit transitions between sections
• Integrate research naturally, not as lists
• Assemble sections with proper formatting
• Run post-assembly checks to verify completeness
• Track word counts at section and total levels

Next, we'll cover editing and review chains for polishing content.