- Devotionals are short meditations that point the reader to God.
- Goals in devotional writing are:
- KNOW: Bring one point to life
- FEEL: Evoke, rebuke, correction, instruction, encouragement, worship,
thankfulness, etc. toward God.
- DO: Directly or indirectly some change as a result, either in thinking,
talking, actions.
- WORDS: Not over ____ words. (See publication's guidelines)
- Includes Scripture, illustration of main point, main point is clear,
article hangs together, makes sense, is biblically accurate. Opening
statement grabs attention. Closure does that, satisfies or motivates.
- Various types of Devotionals could include:
- Inductive
- Guided
- Meditative
- Contrast truth/lies
- Read until God stops you
- Word study
- Theme
- Book at a time
- Connotative (Such as My Utmost for His Highest)
- Checklist for your Devotional
- Does it ring true and make sense at initial read?
- Does it use appropriate and interesting illustrations?
- Does it serve to deepen understanding of a biblical truth or principle?
- Does it refer to scripture, directly or indirectly, and correctly
identify the version quoted
- Has it narrowed its scope to making only one clear point?
- Does it leave the reader with something to reflect on throughout the
day?
- Is it relevant to most of the readers it targets?
- Does it honor the reader’s intelligence?
- Does it touch the heart or tickle the funny bone?
- Is it practical?
- Does it include the perspective and/or personal experience of the
author?
- Does it use any well-placed quotes?
- Does it shun preachiness and condescension?
Style:
- Does it have an inviting opening sentence?
- Are the paragraphs appropriately divided, unified, and short?
- Are there smooth transitions between paragraphs?
- Does it use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling?
- Does it include one or more elements of sensory detail? (sights, sounds,
feels, tastes, smells)
- Does it use effective literary techniques? (metaphors, similes, imagery,
etc.)
- Does it use vivid verbs, rather than rely on adjectives and adverbs?
- Do the sentences vary in length?
- Is the tense consistent throughout?
- Does it avoid passive voice?
- Is the writing direct and concise? (Does it avoid excess verbiage? Has
it been well revised)
- Does the closing sentence reflect the opening? (This literary tool is
like a bow on a package—not essential, but a nice touch.)
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