Article Writing Primer
Posted 8th December 2009 at 07:05 PM by Emmanuel Mba
Tags article, article marketing, article tips
Writing and writing well are quite different from one another. One implies transferring thoughts into words on paper, while the other associates certain positive qualities about it. Article writing requires one not just to be able to group words together, but choose the right words that convey meaning beyond the normal. When you write an article, you are talking about something of significance, at least in your context.
So how does one go about article writing? It starts with the topic. Of course an article has a topic, otherwise it would be just a bunch of words and phrases lumped together with no binding agent. The topic is like the bolts and screws that distinguish an airplane from a pile of metal scrap. The topic can be just about anything you could think of, and quite a few more beyond that.
Next, you need to get an idea of how to go about writing the article. Sure, you have a topic, but how will you approach it? Will you attack it by logically taking it apart and explaining it, or will you flatter it into submission with descriptions and such? Will it be some other method? The approach you take will strongly affect the tone of your article.
Tone is pretty important in article writing, for the reason that articles are usually written to achieve some effect. Articles are not records of concepts; they are expressions of facts, thoughts, and opinions. Thus, an article may have a straightforward tone befitting a definition. It could be colored with flair as is the case with a promotional piece. Then again, it could be infused with the emotions of the writer, as is the case with opinion pieces. Tone types are also not mutually exclusive. You can mix tones in an article, but be sure not to go overboard or out of context.
The kind of language you use is important too. This is not about using English, Japanese or other such languages, but rather the characteristics of the subset of language you use: level of respect, distance between the writer and reader, emotionality, and so on. Since article writing seeks to achieve effects by reaching and touching people, the subtype of language you use will affect your tone and writing style, and thus impact the end result. Is it an aloof objective exposé, a passionate discussion with maybe a few expletives, or a peppy promotional that gets up in the reader’s space?
Over time, a writer will develop characteristic styles that define his or her writing. Note that it’s the plural form: styles. A writer will not just develop one way of writing, though they may specialize in just one. He or she will, over the course of writing for some time, find and use different combinations of techniques and words that could become characteristic of their writing persona. Think of these as “masks” that you can put on in order to write in different ways, yet underneath it is still you.
Experience is the greatest teacher for article writing, and if you cannot grasp these now, then try writing a few article yourself and you will understand.
So how does one go about article writing? It starts with the topic. Of course an article has a topic, otherwise it would be just a bunch of words and phrases lumped together with no binding agent. The topic is like the bolts and screws that distinguish an airplane from a pile of metal scrap. The topic can be just about anything you could think of, and quite a few more beyond that.
Next, you need to get an idea of how to go about writing the article. Sure, you have a topic, but how will you approach it? Will you attack it by logically taking it apart and explaining it, or will you flatter it into submission with descriptions and such? Will it be some other method? The approach you take will strongly affect the tone of your article.
Tone is pretty important in article writing, for the reason that articles are usually written to achieve some effect. Articles are not records of concepts; they are expressions of facts, thoughts, and opinions. Thus, an article may have a straightforward tone befitting a definition. It could be colored with flair as is the case with a promotional piece. Then again, it could be infused with the emotions of the writer, as is the case with opinion pieces. Tone types are also not mutually exclusive. You can mix tones in an article, but be sure not to go overboard or out of context.
The kind of language you use is important too. This is not about using English, Japanese or other such languages, but rather the characteristics of the subset of language you use: level of respect, distance between the writer and reader, emotionality, and so on. Since article writing seeks to achieve effects by reaching and touching people, the subtype of language you use will affect your tone and writing style, and thus impact the end result. Is it an aloof objective exposé, a passionate discussion with maybe a few expletives, or a peppy promotional that gets up in the reader’s space?
Over time, a writer will develop characteristic styles that define his or her writing. Note that it’s the plural form: styles. A writer will not just develop one way of writing, though they may specialize in just one. He or she will, over the course of writing for some time, find and use different combinations of techniques and words that could become characteristic of their writing persona. Think of these as “masks” that you can put on in order to write in different ways, yet underneath it is still you.
Experience is the greatest teacher for article writing, and if you cannot grasp these now, then try writing a few article yourself and you will understand.
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