A good article is a window into a wide world, providing more detail and a good description. This focus will give the reader a better understanding of what is interesting about the subject. Writing good articles can be a creative and fun activity, but it takes hard work and planning to write effectively.
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Method 1 of 5: Selecting a topic
Step 1. Find a story that is a little bit curious
Read the news and talk to people to find interesting stories. Think about a trending phenomenon and find something to chat about that might provoke them to comment.
Step 2. Do some research on your topic
Find a background of information that might help you see things from a different angle. It's also good to do some research on the internet, but it may not be completely helpful. You may need to read from books, historical articles that require you to visit the location.
Step 3. Decide what type of article you will write
There are several types, but it depends on what you want to focus on. These types include:
- Human Interest: Many articles focus on human problems. Usually focuses on one person or on a group.
- Profile: This type focuses on an individual character or lifestyle. This type makes it possible for readers to make them look like they are peeking into other people's lives through a piece of writing. Usually this article discusses a celebrity or a public figure.
- Instruction: Articles that share information about how to do something. Often, the author will write about how to make something, such as how to make a wedding cake.
- History: An article that tells a story of pride in a historical story that has happened or is currently developing. The author also seems to be able to bring the past and present closer together.
- Seasonal: Some articles would be very fitting if only published at certain times, such as about the early summer vacation or winter vacation.
- Behind the scene: This article will provide the reader with information about an unusual process, about something that would not normally be made available to the general public.
Step 4. Think about the readers you want to read
While you're considering the title, think about who will be reading it. Ask yourself “Who will be the readers?” and “What point of view can attract people to read it?” For example, you might write about a pastry chef's profile, but you would write in a different way depending only if the reader wanted to be a chef or if they turned out to be a wedding planner looking to buy a wedding cake.
Step 5. Consider the type of publication
If you are writing for a magazine or blog on a specific topic, such as gardening, then you need to write articles in a different way. A newspaper, on the other hand, is meant for casual readers and is more open to varied content.
Method 2 of 5: Interviewing resource persons
Step 1. Schedule an interview at a place and time that is convenient for the interviewee
Ask him when and where is a suitable place to meet. If possible, ask to choose a quiet place so that the duration of the interview can be optimized.
- Schedule approximately 30-45 minutes per person. Respect their time and don't let them waste their time all day. Confirm the date and time a few days in advance so they are completely undisturbed.
- If the person asks to reschedule, just rearrange. Remember, they are willing to set aside time and are willing to be interviewed, so respect that. Don't make the person feel guilty when they ask for a time change.
- If you want to observe how they do a job, ask first if they can let you into their place of work. Ask if they would like to briefly teach them about their work which will give you knowledge and experience that you can use when you write it down.
Step 2. Prepare for your interview
Do your research to make sure you're asking the right questions. Prepare a long list of questions to keep the chat going. Get to know their background and experience, to keep the conversation focused.
Step 3. Give them a list of questions
The direction of the interview should not surprise the interviewee. Give them a list of questions before you begin to help them answer them firmly and clearly later.
Step 4. Arrive early
The time of the person you are interviewing is very valuable, so don't waste it by arriving late. Come to the promised place early. Set up the recorder and check the device so that there are no problems later. Also make sure you bring a pen and extra paper.
Step 5. Record the interview talk
Use a voice recorder when interviewing, but check the conditions first. Because there is a possibility when your recorder runs out of battery or memory.
- Make sure that the source agrees to have their voice recorded. If you plan to use the recorded information other than for the article you are writing, you must first ask for permission.
- Don't force them to keep recording if they don't agree.
Step 6. Confirm the details of the interview content
You definitely don't want to write at length, but you end up writing the name of the speaker wrong. Make sure you double-check that writing the person's name is just as important as when you write down any other detailed information correctly.
Step 7. Ask open-ended questions
Questions that only answer “yes” or “no” will not give you enough information. Instead, ask "how" or "why" questions. Questions with such a prefix will be answered with an opinion or a story which usually contains good information to support your article.
Another good option for starting a “tell me about your time….” question This will give the person something to tell that usually contains important information for your article
Step 8. Be a good listener
Listening is key in the interview. People are more likely to talk when the other person seems comfortable when they are talking.
Step 9. Ask questions that review the answers to the previous questions
The most important part of a good interviewer is being able to review what has been said well. This will have an impact on the amount of information you will get.
Step 10. Take notes immediately after the interview
Make observations and notes immediately when you finish the interview because at that time your mind is still fresh with the information you can. Such as observing the location, how the interviewee looks, what they do or how they behave.
Step 11. Write down the results of your interview
Writing all the interviews, can be a bit of a tedious task. It is essential to write the quote correctly, however, it will help you to read what the source is saying. Do it yourself or pay someone else to write this for you.
Step 12. Give thanks to the resource person
Thank them for their time, and give them an estimate of what you will write in the article later. This is also an opportunity when you need to review again to get information that you think is still needed.
Method 3 of 5: Preparing to write articles
Step 1. Choose the format for your article
Articles for discussion usually do not require a complicated format like articles for newspapers. You don't have to follow the “inverted pyramid” rule of “who, what, when, where, and why” for new, more curious stories. Some of the formats that can be entered include:
- Start by describing a dramatic moment and then uncover the story that led to that moment.
- Use a story format within stories, which relies on a narrator to tell a story to others.
- Start the story with the usual moments and look for how the story becomes unusual.
Step 2. Decide approximately how long the article should be
In newspapers it usually ranges between 500 and 2500 words, while in magazines it ranges from 500 to 5000 words. On a blog about 250 to 2500 words.
Discuss it with your editor to calculate how long the article will be
Step 3. Describe your article
Start by integrating all the notes into your article, selecting quotes and designing the structure of the article. Start with an introduction and decide how you're going to create the article. What information do you want to cover first? When you've decided, think about what impression you want to leave on the reader.
Consider what should be in the story and what should be omitted. If you're writing a 500-word article, for example, you'll at least need to be selective about the content of the article, which means you still have around 2500 more words to write down
Method 4 of 5: Article Writing
Step 1. Write a feed to start your story
The first paragraph is your prime opportunity to lure the reader in and immerse them in your story. If the opening paragraph is very crisp or difficult to digest, you will immediately lose readers who of course will not continue to read your writing.
- Start with an interesting fact, a quote or anecdote for an inducement.
- The opening paragraph should contain at least 2-3 sentences.
Step 2. Develop your article in the second paragraph
When the first paragraph has made people curious, then in the second paragraph you should have started to explain the content of the story. Why are we reading this article? What is the significance of this article?
Step 3. Follow the scheme you have created
You must have created an article chart, which will help you stay on track. An article chart can also help you remember each related word and how the quote supports some of the points you've made.
Flexible. Sometimes when you're writing, even if you don't follow the path you've created, your writing can still be interesting and even more interesting
Step 4. Show, don't tell
By writing good articles, you have the opportunity to describe people and events to readers. Describe a scene or person to the reader so they can picture it in their minds.
Step 5. Don't use too many quotes
Even if the source says a lot of good sentences, you don't necessarily write them all down. Write only a few or write only one but use a larger font size for easy reading.
Step 6. Choose the right language for your readers
Consider the target publication of your writing with the level and interest of the reader. Don't assume they are familiar with your review, so you can write whatever you want. Be sure to spell out acronyms and explain jargon or slang. Write in a writing style that appears to communicate, rather than in academic language.
Step 7. Do not let your opinion interfere with the content of the article
Themed articles should contain information and details about a person or phenomenon. This is not an opportunity where you can give your opinion on the topic title. In fact, your personality can be seen from this writing style.
Step 8. Revise your article
After you finish the writing, take the writing aside for a while. Come back when you feel refreshed and read what you wrote yesterday. Think again about how to sharpen your description, clarify each point and explain. Which areas do you want to delete, which areas need additional information.
Method 5 of 5: Article Completion
Step 1. Check for accuracy, and check again
The last thing you want to do is write articles with good accuracy in writing details and information. Double-check how the name, order or event is spelled and other details.
Step 2. Show the source your writing
Not all article writers do this. However, many interviewees often want to review the content of the article before it is published to ensure that what you write is consistent with the content of the previous interview.
You can choose to follow the advice of the source or with your own ideas
Step 3. Double-check the spelling and grammar
Don't let your articles get damaged because of spelling mistakes and bad grammar. Consult "The Elements of Style," which is the standard of good writing.
Consult "The Associated Press Stylebook" as a guide to writing styles, such as number formats, dates, street names, etc
Step 4. Ask for comments about your article
Ask your friends or colleagues to read the article. Also ask your editor. Be open to any comments made. They just want your writing to look good, solid and give you advice on how to make it look more appealing.
Step 5. Write a headline
The publication may put your article on the front page, so adjust the content according to the title. Headlines are usually short and to the point, using about 10-15 words. Headlines must also attract readers.
If you want to convey more information, add a sub-headline, which is the second sentence usually below the headline
Step 6. Submit your article before the deadline
Make sure that the article has been sent to your editor before the deadline. Articles that are late usually won't be published, and all your hard work will be delayed until the next similar discussion that will either be on the same theme or may not even be published at all.
Tips
- Ask the resource person again when the article is ready to be published. It is also useful to find out if there are deficiencies or there are parts that the speaker does not want to be published.
- If you like writing articles, look for writing jobs that are widely spread on the internet, so that your hobby can make money at the same time. One of the websites that recruit article writers is Contentesia.
