---
title: "Research to Draft"
description: "Turn raw research into a structured first draft in under 30 minutes. Perfect for newsletters, YouTube scripts, and blog posts."
time_estimate: "25-30 minutes"
tools: ["Claude", "ChatGPT", "NotebookLM", "Google Docs"]
---

# Research to Draft Workflow

## The Problem

You spend hours reading articles, watching videos, and collecting notes — then stare at a blank page. This workflow eliminates that by giving you a repeatable system to convert any research pile into a finished draft.

## The Process

### Step 1: Gather Raw Inputs

Dump everything into a single document:
- Bookmarked articles
- Video timestamps
- Tweet threads
- Podcast notes
- Your own half-formed thoughts

Don't organize yet. Just collect.

### Step 2: Identify the Core Thread

Ask yourself: **What am I trying to convince someone of?**

Write one sentence that captures the main point. If you can't, the research is too scattered — pick one angle and cut the rest.

### Step 3: Structure with the Template

Use this skeleton:

```
## The Hook (1-2 sentences)
Start with the counter-intuitive insight.

## The Setup (2-3 sentences)
Why does this matter now? What's broken?

## Point 1: [Name it] — [specific claim]
Supporting evidence + example.

## Point 2: [Name it] — [specific claim]
Supporting evidence + example.

## Point 3: [Name it] — [specific claim]
Supporting evidence + example.

## The Payoff
What changes after someone believes this?
```

### Step 4: Draft with AI Assistance

**Prompt (use in Claude or ChatGPT):**

```
You are a content strategist. I've collected these research notes:

[GATHERED NOTES HERE]

My core argument is: [YOUR ONE SENTENCE FROM STEP 2]

Fill in the structure below using only the research provided.
Flag any gaps with [NEEDS MORE RESEARCH].

## The Hook
## The Setup
## Point 1
## Point 2
## Point 3
## The Payoff
```

### Step 5: Edit for Your Voice

Print the draft. Read it out loud. Wherever it sounds generic, rewrite in how you'd actually say it. AI gets you 70% there; your voice makes it yours.

## Example

**Input notes:** 15 tweets about AI burnout, 3 YouTube videos on creator fatigue, my own experience quitting a newsletter for 6 months.

**Core thread:** "Most creators don't fail from lack of ideas — they burn out from trying to execute everything."

**Draft output:** A 1,200-word article titled "The Real Reason Creators Burn Out (It's Not What You Think)".

## Pro Tips

- **Time-limit your research phase.** 30 minutes max. Cut anything you didn't get to.
- **Write your one-sentence thesis BEFORE structuring.** It forces clarity.
- **Don't copy-paste AI output.** Read it, understand it, then rewrite in your voice.
- **Save your research pile.** Topics recur — next time you'll start with a head start.