Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Finding a topic and gathering information
• Method 2 of 3: Make a scrap
• Method 3 of 3: Polish the item
• Tips

There is so much content available today that it seems like your writing will never stand out. Think positive! Whatever type of article you write, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure that you create a great article that people will find interesting. Start organizing all of your ideas and information. Then spend some time writing a catchy, thoughtful, and accurate article. Then edit the article thoroughly so that it looks rounded and professional.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Finding a topic and gathering information

1. Ask your boss or teacher for the guidelines. If you're writing an article for work or school, make sure you understand your job. Take a few minutes to ask any questions with the responsible person. Do this before you start writing so you don't have to redo the work.
   • Maybe your boss asked you to write an article for the company newsletter. Check if there is a particular topic to write about and how long the article should be.
   • If you're writing an article for the school newspaper, ask the editor or supervisor what to cover. They may want you to write about the library renovation or write an article about new students.
   • Always stick to the guidelines you are given. This makes you appear competent and responsible.
2. Come up with a list of ideas if you work independently. If you're a blogger or freelance writer, you may be responsible for coming up with your own content. To find a good topic, you think about your audience. For example, if you write a cooking blog, you probably keep track of food-related topics.
   • Let your thoughts run free. Just write down any thoughts that come to your mind. You can filter out the bad ideas later!
   • For your cooking blog, you could write words like "keto", "blenders" or "holiday meals".
   • When choosing a topic, start by making it more specific. For example, if you decide to write about holiday meals, you can narrow it down by choosing a specific holiday or season to write about. You may decide to write about updated Thanksgiving classics.
3. Research the topic to make sure you're up to date. Spend some time looking up information about what you write online. You can also check your local library for good books on the subject. Depending on what kind of article you are writing, you may need to do some extra research.
   • If you're writing about a person or news, it's a good idea to interview people.
   • If you're doing an interview, prepare a list of questions ahead of time so you don't forget important questions. Be on time and respectful. Make good notes or record the conversation so that you can quote the person accurately.
   • For your Thanksgiving food article, talk to some friends to see what they like to eat. You can also look up some food safety facts so you can give some good advice on how to properly cook a turkey.
4. Choose reliable sources. For your article to sound authoritative, you need to choose sources that are accurate, current, and unbiased. When looking at resources online, make sure you can find an author's name and the date the page was last updated. If you can't find an author, you might be better off using another source. An exception would be a wiki, which often has multiple authors. If so, check if they used outside sources to back up the facts.
   • Depending on the topic of your article, your source could be from a few months to a few years. Current information is usually the most accurate.
   • For example, if you're writing about new Thanksgiving appetizer trends, you probably don't want to use a 1975 cookbook as your source.
5. Take notes to keep your ideas organized. Keep all of your information well organized so that you can easily find it once you start writing. You can choose which note-taking system works for you. Maybe you are someone for pen and paper. You can take notes on your phone or computer. You can even create voice memos.
   • Make sure to record all the important details. That means any names, dates, facts or statistics. Don't forget to write down your source!
   • Save your notes to a file on your computer or use an app on your phone to organize them. If you take notes on paper, keep them in a file folder for easy access.

Method 2 of 3: Make a scrap

1. Start with 1-2 spicy sentences. If your article doesn't start on an interesting note, readers will likely scroll further. Take the time to create a short introduction that will grab your reader's attention. It can contain a question or an interesting fact. Make sure it introduces your topic.
   • You could write something like, "Tired of bland turkey on Thanksgiving? Spice up your holiday menu by introducing some daring new flavors! "
2. Shorten your paragraphs. You don't want to lose your reader after getting their attention. Since long, full paragraphs can look overwhelming, it's a good idea to keep them short. Paragraphs of about 3-4 sentences look visually appealing and can keep your reader interested.
   • Make sure to include only one idea in each paragraph so that your reader can more easily absorb the information. For example, don't start talking about side dishes and table decorations in one and the same paragraph. They are two separate ideas.
3. Include a story to engage the reader. Add some life to your article by including some interesting facts or a moving story. If you're just giving your opinion or a list of instructions, it probably won't be very interesting. If you're writing an article about zoning in your city, you can interview a small business owner and write about the impact of those changes on him or her.
   • For your Thanksgiving article, you could write about certain foods that remind you of the Thanksgiving you celebrated while studying abroad.
4. Make sure to include content so that your reader learns something. Interesting stories are great, but you also need to include useful information. Review your research notes and choose the most relevant information. For example, if you're writing about a Thanksgiving dinner, don't forget to include tips on what to serve, how long it will take, and how to make each part. However, you don't have to include everything in it. Make good choices as you see fit. You don't have to provide recipes for five different types of cake. Don't forget to mention your sources!
   • Don't just tell your readers how much you enjoy hosting a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner. Give concrete examples of how readers can impress their guests.
   • Omit all padding. While you may have a charming anecdote about your child dressing like a turkey for school, that's probably not what your readers are looking for. Stick to the topic even when it comes to personal stories.
5. Stick to a specific number of words to avoid straying. If you've been assigned an article, you've probably already been given a word limit. All you have to do is stick to it! If you're writing a blog or any other type of article, you may need to set your own parameters. A good rule of thumb is that articles should be around 500 words for blogs or DIY articles. Of course a scientific article can be much longer.
6. Leave the article for a while if you have a writing pad. Writing is difficult and creating something good can take time. If you're struggling to find the right word or pun, take a break. Take a walk or have a snack. This will give your brain a break and will likely help clear the blockage.
   • If you're really stuck, it's okay to leave your article overnight and come back to it the next day, when you feel those creative juices flowing again.

Method 3 of 3: Polish the item

1. Use spell checking software to correct any errors. If you're writing in a program like Microsoft Word, it should automatically check your document for basic errors. There are also several online software programs that can help you edit your writing. You can copy and paste your article into one of these websites or add a plugin as an extension on your browser. That way, the app can automatically proofread anything you write.
   • Some popular tools are Grammarly, Ginger, ProWritingAid, and Hemingway.
   • These tools can catch spelling mistakes, help correct your grammar, and even help you make your writing more concise.
2. Read the article several times to find errors. Even though technology is useful, don't rely on it completely. During the editing process, you should read your own work carefully so that you can look for ways to improve it. Maybe you need better transitions between topics or have forgotten to quote a source. Software cannot help you deal with those problems.
   • Look for several bottlenecks every time you go through the article again. For example, the first time you focus on catching stylistic mistakes. The next time you read through the article, pay attention to the correct tone.
   • Read the article out loud to yourself. This can help you discover phrases that don't sound quite right.
3. Ask a friend or family member for their opinion. It can increase your confidence if you get some feedback before publishing your article. Ask a trusted friend or family member to view your work. Just make sure you are receptive to any constructive criticism they give.
   • You can say, "Tim, would you mind reading this article I wrote? I'd like your feedback. If you have time to go through it, I would appreciate it. "
4. Make necessary changes. When you're done reading and getting feedback, apply what you've learned. If your friend suggests adding a personal example, now is the time to add it. After you've corrected any errors and made sure you're happy with your article, you can post it.
5. Edit unnecessary information. It can be really hard to cut back on something you've worked hard on. But there are usually places where you can cut. Look for a repetition or examples that are not that helpful. You can also look for places to make your writing more concise. Typically, readers respond best to streamlined articles.
   • Rather than saying, `` Because the fall is nice and chilly and many people enjoy watching football and eating pie, Thanksgiving has become a cherished tradition in many Americans' homes, '' you might say, football and pie are just a few reasons Americans love Thanksgiving! '

Tips

• Write down the ideas as they come to mind so that you always have a list of topics ready.
• If you have a choice, write about something that interests you. It will make it more fun!
• Don't worry if your first article isn't perfect. Writing is a profession that requires a lot of practice.