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Steps for Effective Article Writing

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Definition of Article Writing

An article writing is a kind of writing that is written to reach a massive audience with the help of the press. In the case of article writing, the press refers to publishing houses of newspapers, magazines, journals, etc. Writing a newspaper article, or writing a magazine article is not easy. It requires a lot of research and writing skills. It is written in such a way that it can inform the masses about a certain topic. The main aim of the writer here is to bring some difference in the world by changing the views of the people through article writing.


Types of Article Writing

There are various types of article writings. These are writing a newspaper article, writing a magazine article, SEO article writing, online article writing, freelance article writing, and many more.


There are divisions among these articles also. Some of the articles, like online article writing, freelance article writing, can be descriptive, or narrative that depends upon the writer and the client for whom the writer works. There are a few types of article writing that most people know about. It includes narrative and descriptive types but there are many more types other than these two. These are persuasive article writing and expository article writing.


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The most important among the types of article writings is SEO article writing. It has gained huge demand for this new generation. SEO article writing is nothing but the search engine optimization of the article that is written. The question that may arise here is how can one ensure that one’s article has achieved its goal.


To answer this question, one will have to do some research on the internet. There are several ways in which one can use most of the search engine optimization techniques. First, among them is to use keywords. Keywords refer to important words of the article that could be used several times in a paragraph or in the article to highlight the importance of the word. By doing this, the reader will be able to see the particular article among the first few results, when he searches for that category of articles in the search engines.


There are also many other options that are discussed below.


One must be consistent with using the keywords. The keywords must relate to the topic of the article; if it is not relevant to the topic, the keyword will not be considered to be effective.


While writing a news article, or any other article for that matter, one must ensure that there are no grammatical errors.


The authenticity of the article must be checked before it is uploaded on an online platform.


These are the minimum things that should be considered before one can improve one’s article writing skills. Though, in the case of writing a news article, the content of the article is of utmost importance. One should keep the content original and present it creatively.


On the internet, there are many article-writing examples available. It helps the writer who is writing an article for the first time, to understand the concept better. There is also an article writing example given below. Readers can refer to that example as well for a better understanding of the format of article writing.


Tips for Article Writing

Let us get to understand some of the points that you shall remember while attempting a topic of the writing section. 


  • Understand your topic 

For any given topic, you shall first be able to understand it clearly. You should be able to draw related inferences for everything that comes to your mind. Usually, in this step, your brain is flooded with a lot of thoughts and your job is to be able to identify and filter them based on your requirements. Attempting such questions without planning is never a good idea because your content will not be organised unless you organise the flow of the content. Hence, the best way before getting started with such questions is to make sure that you have a clearer picture of what the question is asking you and this way, you will be able to deliver captivating content. 


  • Prepare an outline 

Before starting the writing part, one should arrange the pointers in the correct sequence. It should be a logical sequence keeping in mind the objectives. Cross-checking each point whether it is relevant and needed to complete the content is again another point to be considered. Preparation of an outline is important as well as useful as it helps us know what to do next and how much is left. You should be careful while preparing an outline as it should contain all the topics and that too in the correct sequence.


  • Review and make relevant changes 

Revisiting all the points by reading them again is one of the important tasks for a well-written part. While revisiting you might come across some of the content which is not required, so one should leave the unnecessary points which are making the content lengthy without adding quality and relevance to the content. Then, logically rearrange the points so that the important points come first in the sequence and others follow. 


  • Write it 

Now after keeping all the above-mentioned things in mind, start writing. With a strong and relevant introduction one should start, followed by the correct sequence of the points adding a necessary explanation. To the point information without unnecessary elaboration always adds perfection to content.


  • Edit and proofread

Last but not the least, an important aspect to be considered is proofreading. Before the final submission of content, you should go through the complete content once more. Again edit the unnecessary ones and complete them. After completing the entire process your content is ready.


Other important tips that can be used to produce a good piece of writing content are mentioned below. Students shall consider referring to them whenever they plan to conquer questions of such kinds. 


  • Keep the list of your ideas handy as it will help you to organize your content accurately. 


  • Make sure that you are sitting in a distraction-free environment so that your mind is able to focus and concentrate better. 


  • One of the most important attributes of a good writer is being able to research well. When you research, you get to read more and this way there are a lot of new ideas that come to your mind. 


  • Ensure that your content is simple. It means that you should avoid too fancy words because otherwise, your content would lose the relatability factor.


  • You shall also focus on making your content presentable. Adding bullet points or writing in small paragraphs might be a beneficial tip. 


  • Adding keywords to your content is a game-changer. When you optimize your content, its value increases subsequently. 


  • Lastly, be precise and let your content be captivating enough for the reader.


Solved Examples

1. What is the Format of Article Writing?


Ans: The format of article writing is very easy and simple. One has to follow a few instructions to understand the format of the article writing.


Write a brief introduction in a paragraph.


Write a body of two to three paragraphs, including all the main content and points of the topic in these paragraphs.


Write a short conclusion of the article.


There is a picture attached below to give the readers a better view of the format of the article writing.


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Did You Know?

Articles almost connect their readers with the content within a very short time. It is like a direct conversation with the reader.


The main aspect of article writing that attracts its readers is the content. The content must be interesting, else no one will read it.


The article must be simple and to the point. It must not be too complicated. If it is complicated, the readers will lose interest.

FAQs on Steps for Effective Article Writing

1. What are the essential steps for effective article writing?

The process of writing an effective article can be broken down into five key steps to ensure clarity, structure, and impact:

  • Understand the Topic: First, thoroughly analyse the topic to grasp what is being asked. Brainstorm all related ideas and filter them for relevance.
  • Prepare an Outline: Arrange your filtered points in a logical sequence. An outline acts as a roadmap, ensuring all important aspects are covered in the correct order.
  • Write the Draft: Start with a strong introduction, followed by the body paragraphs that elaborate on your points with necessary explanations and examples.
  • Review and Edit: Re-read your draft to remove any irrelevant information, check for logical flow, and ensure the content is concise and impactful.
  • Proofread: The final step is to check for any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or punctuation issues before finalising the article.

2. What is the standard format of an article for CBSE exams?

For CBSE exams, an article must follow a specific format to score well. The structure is:

  • Heading/Title: A catchy and relevant title that captures the essence of the article. It should be centred.
  • By-line: The name of the writer, placed just below the heading.
  • Body: This is the main part of the article, typically divided into 3-4 paragraphs. It should include an introduction (to introduce the topic), development (discussing the pros, cons, causes, effects, etc.), and a conclusion (summarising the topic and offering a final opinion or solution).

3. Why is creating an outline before writing an article so important?

Creating an outline is a crucial preparatory step because it serves multiple purposes. It provides a clear structure and logical flow to your thoughts, preventing you from writing in a haphazard manner. An outline helps ensure all key arguments are included without repetition and allows you to manage your time effectively, especially in an exam setting. It essentially acts as a blueprint for your article, making the writing process faster and more organised.

4. How can I make my article more engaging for the reader?

To make your article engaging, you need to go beyond just presenting facts. You can:

  • Start with a powerful hook, such as a rhetorical question, a surprising statistic, or a relevant quote.
  • Use simple, clear, and relatable language. Avoid overly complex jargon.
  • Maintain a conversational yet appropriate tone.
  • Incorporate rhetorical questions to make the reader think.
  • Use vivid descriptions and examples to make your points more concrete and memorable.
  • End with a strong, thought-provoking conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

5. What is the main difference between an article and a report?

The main difference lies in their purpose, tone, and format. An article is written for a large audience and aims to inform, persuade, or entertain. Its tone can be subjective, and the format is typically a heading followed by paragraphs. A report, on the other hand, is a formal and objective document written for a specific audience. It presents factual information based on research or an event and follows a strict structure with headings, subheadings, and a systematic presentation of data.

6. What are some common mistakes to avoid in article writing that can lead to a loss of marks?

Students often lose marks in article writing due to a few common mistakes. The most critical ones to avoid are:

  • Ignoring the Format: Failing to include a proper heading and by-line.
  • Exceeding the Word Limit: Writing excessively long paragraphs with irrelevant information.
  • Weak Introduction/Conclusion: Starting abruptly or ending without a proper summary or final thought.
  • Grammatical Errors: Frequent spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure mistakes distract the reader and reduce quality.
  • Lack of Cohesion: Presenting ideas without a logical connection between paragraphs.

7. How do you adapt your writing style for different types of articles?

Adapting your writing style is key to effectiveness. For a newspaper article, the style should be formal, factual, and objective. For a school magazine, you can adopt a more semi-formal and engaging tone. If writing a persuasive article, your tone must be convincing and use emotive language. In contrast, an expository article, which aims to explain a topic, requires a neutral and informative tone. Your choice of vocabulary and sentence complexity should also align with the target audience and purpose.

8. What should be the primary focus of the body paragraphs in an article?

The body paragraphs are the core of your article and should be focused on developing the main topic in a structured way. The first paragraph of the body should expand on the introduction. Subsequent paragraphs should systematically explore different aspects like the causes and effects, advantages and disadvantages, or supporting arguments for your stance. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea, supported by relevant facts, examples, or evidence to make your content credible and comprehensive before leading into the conclusion.