An Introduction
We often face situations when we need to jot down important notes in a professional way or, at least, in an approach that can be easily understood. From the perspective of students, they are often loaded with various projects, and most of them, in the age of the Internet, look for acquiring information from the web as much as possible. Now, copying them directly is not a work of genius. Rephrasing the same information in your own words will make the student stand out in the crowd. It also helps in remembering the topic for a longer period as it is written on the basis of what a student understands. This is professionally known as an article. The steps of article writing are given below.
Defining Articles
An article is a script written to address a larger audience. The concept of the article is not limited only to schools; it plays a greater role in business promotions and expressing an array of ideas. When it comes to business paragraph writing, the main objective is to publish in newspapers, journals, or magazines through which the writer can make a difference to the world. It's important to know how to write a good business article. It may be the current business topics to write about or it may be related to specific products or services which require branding. The gravity of the article is determined by the tone of the language.
What are the Objectives of Article Writing?
Publishing is a vital objective of article writing. The other objectives of article writing are listed below.
To achieve attention as much as possible.
To portray a particular topic or interest into the limelight.
To portray the subject professionally.
To make it interesting so that readers are engaged to read more.
To offer advice and suggestions.
To make any topic or issue easy to understand.
To influence the reader to think about the focused chapter.
You can write a business article sample after going through these points and enhance your skills in writing.
Format of Article Writing
With so many objectives of an article, it is quite predictable that the presentation must be unique in order to achieve the utmost success. Different writers portray their ideas and in their own writing styles, but there is an overall guideline that is maintained by all. An article must start with an engaging heading or title so that readers immediately dive into the body. An abstract must be added immediately after the heading to let people know what they are going to read about and how the content is helpful to them. Make it short and precise so that the entire topic is captured on a quick note. Following the synopsis comes the body of the article that consists of 3 to 4 paragraphs.
When it comes to business paragraph writing, various writers use different tactics, and depending on the topic, sometimes the body of an article exceeds the usual counts of paragraphs. The length of an article is further dependent on the pattern of writing and particular business demands. The article must end with a short conclusion based on recommendation, opinion, anticipation, or appeal. Initially, to make it simpler, a good article is a result of implementing quality writing techniques and good content.
What are the Steps for Article Writing Format?
If you are thinking about how to write a good business article, consider writing a business article sample and find the current business topics to write about. Now, before starting, it's crucial to focus on the topic and research thoroughly on the web to clear out the confusion. This will also help in gathering information as much as possible. The content must be created based on the following constraints.
Target Audience – Determine who your readers are and write accordingly.
Collection and Choice – Make sure to stay connected with the interim details and portray the information available.
Purpose – Why should the readers read your article?
Proper Arrangements – Present your information logically so that readers can understand easily.
Only after analysing these constraints, is it time for final writing. Bear in mind, article writing is not similar to story writing, and thus, it requires special attention when delivering the topic in your own words. Therefore, use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Make sure to build on your vocabulary skills to make the topic interesting and appealing. The introduction of the topic must be catchy to establish an urge among readers to read more. Discuss the overall matter in an organized and descriptive way. Writing a business article sample would help to master the process.
How to Write a Good Article?
There are several factors that every good article contains. Before publishing any article, it is necessary to write a draft for that. These drafts can be revised for grammatical and syntactical errors. Once these mistakes are done away with, a good article emerges.
Qualities of a Good Draft for an Article:
To come up with a good article, it is necessary to write a good draft. Certain qualities make any draft a good article. Some of these are:
Concise: An article must only contain relevant information. It should not include unnecessary details. A writer must always keep in mind that while adding irrelevant phrases will increase the word count but it would make the entire article unappealing to the readers. The main aim of the writer should always be to convey the message to the readers in as few words as possible. The use of unnecessarily big words must be avoided. An article that concisely delivers the information is usually considered the best.
Clear: It should always be the objective of the writer to convey his thoughts. A writer should always strive to achieve clarity in his thoughts and writing. If the article is handwritten the writing of the author should be legible. However, this does not mean that there should be unnecessary beautification of the writing. A person should avoid adding embellishments in his writing. The handwritten material should be simple and easy to read.
Complete: Any unfinished article that is written by a good author is of no use. There is no point in starting a write-up with the best first paragraph if it is left incomplete. A person writing a good article must make an effort to complete it with the same zeal and enthusiasm. A complete article is always better than an unfinished one. There should always be a proper introduction and conclusion in a good draft. Writers should always include relevant information in the middle portion.
Precise: A good article is known for its precision. The content of any article should always stay true to the topic. Any information that is not related to the main theme of the article should be avoided. It is the duty of the author to make sure that the data supporting the facts of the article is appropriate. It is good to know many facts but while writing any article the writers should only focus upon the necessary ones. That is why it is important to write a draft first so that a good article can follow.
Pleasant: The language used while writing an article should be pleasant. A writer should not use improper words in any scenario. Every person referred to in the article must be properly addressed with an appropriate salutation. For example, while writing about the president or the prime minister, the use of the term ‘Honourable’ is considered proper. Similarly, different titles throughout the world are used while referring to a person from the royal family. A person reading a pleasant-sounding article enjoys more as compared to a bland one.
Usage of Correct Words: A writer should focus on using simple words. The technical words might sound more appropriate but it is better to avoid using them, especially if they are difficult to understand. It should always be the goal of the person to avoid using jargon or big words. Using words whose meaning is not clear might change the whole meaning of the content. An author should always keep the audience in mind and use only those terms that can be easily understood by them.
Logically Arranged: The author must always make sure that his thoughts are properly arranged in the article. The article should begin with a brief introduction of the topic, followed by the content and conclusion. The data mentioned in the article must be properly organized.
FAQs on Steps for Effective Article Writing
1. What are the fundamental steps for writing an effective article as per the CBSE curriculum?
Writing an effective article involves a structured process that ensures clarity, coherence, and impact. The key steps are:
- Planning and Research: First, clearly understand the topic and your target audience. Gather relevant facts, statistics, and examples to support your points.
- Outlining: Create a logical structure for your article. This typically includes a title, introduction, three to four body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Drafting: Write the first version of your article, focusing on getting your ideas down. Start with a compelling introduction to hook the reader, develop your arguments in the body, and summarise your points in the conclusion.
- Editing and Revising: Review your draft for clarity, flow, and accuracy. Improve sentence structure, remove jargon, and ensure your arguments are well-supported.
- Proofreading: The final step is to check for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. A polished, error-free article is more credible.
2. What are the different types of articles a student might be asked to write in an exam?
In an academic context like the CBSE 2025-26 syllabus, students typically encounter several types of articles, each with a distinct purpose:
- Newspaper or Magazine Article: Reports on an event or provides information on a topic of general interest.
- Feature Article: A detailed piece that explores a person, place, or event in-depth, often with a human-interest angle.
- Expository Article: Aims to explain, describe, or inform about a specific subject in a clear and logical manner.
- Persuasive Article: Aims to convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific action, often on social or current issues.
3. Why is defining the target audience a crucial first step in article writing?
Defining the target audience is crucial because it dictates the entire approach to writing. Knowing your readers helps you decide on the appropriate tone, language, and depth of information. For example, an article for fellow students can use relatable examples and a slightly informal tone, while an article for a formal publication would require more technical language and a professional tone. Understanding the audience ensures your message is received and understood effectively, making the article more engaging and impactful.
4. How can a writer structure an article to ensure it is logical and easy to follow?
A logical structure is the backbone of a good article. A standard, effective format includes:
- An Engaging Title: It should be catchy and give a clear idea of the topic.
- The Byline: The name of the writer.
- Introduction: The opening paragraph must grab the reader's attention and briefly introduce the topic and its main argument or purpose.
- Body Paragraphs: Usually 2-4 paragraphs, each dedicated to a single, distinct idea that supports the main topic. Use transition words to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs.
- Conclusion: Summarise the key points and offer a final thought, suggestion, or call to action. It should provide a sense of closure.
5. What are the most common mistakes to avoid when writing an article for an exam?
To score well, students should avoid several common mistakes. The most critical ones include:
- Lack of a Clear Structure: Writing without a proper introduction, body, and conclusion makes the article confusing.
- Exceeding the Word Limit: Not adhering to the specified word count can lead to a penalty.
- Factual Inaccuracies: Presenting incorrect data or information undermines your credibility.
- Grammar and Spelling Errors: Poor language skills can distract the examiner and lower your score.
- Vague Title: A weak or irrelevant title fails to capture the examiner's interest from the start.
6. How does the purpose of an article influence its tone and style?
The purpose of an article is its primary driver and directly shapes its tone and style. If the purpose is to inform (like an expository article), the tone should be objective, formal, and factual. If the purpose is to persuade, the tone might become more subjective and emotionally appealing, using rhetorical questions and strong, convincing language. An article meant to entertain would adopt a more creative, humorous, or narrative style. Matching the tone to the purpose is essential for effective communication.
7. What is the difference between an article's title and its heading?
While often used interchangeably, a title and a heading serve slightly different functions. The title is the main name of the entire article, designed to be catchy and summarise the core topic (e.g., "The Steps to Effective Article Writing"). Headings (or subheadings) are used within the body of the article to break up the text and introduce specific sections or paragraphs. They act as signposts that guide the reader through the different parts of your argument, improving readability and organisation.
8. Beyond the basic format, what qualities make an article truly compelling?
A truly compelling article goes beyond just following the format. It possesses key qualities that engage and persuade the reader:
- Clarity: The ideas are presented in simple, easy-to-understand language.
- Conciseness: Every word serves a purpose; there is no unnecessary fluff or repetition.
- Coherence: The ideas flow logically from one to the next, creating a unified and seamless argument.
- Credibility: The information is well-researched, accurate, and supported by facts or logical reasoning.
- Originality: It offers a fresh perspective or unique insight into the topic.
