The world is becoming increasingly competitive, and many of us are struggling to make sure that we’re earning enough to survive in this cutthroat industry. So, in order to get your piece published, you need to know what it takes to write good articles, how to stand out from the crowd, and what a great article should look like. Below, I’ve listed five things that every writer should know about writing articles.


The Rules Of Good Article Writing


There are four main components when writing an article: introduction, body, conclusion, and references — all of which must follow these guidelines in order for your piece to be approved. The format of your article can change but the basic structure remains the same. These six rules will help you write winning pieces.


1. ‘An Introduction Must Tell A Story’


It’s important to have someone come up with an enticing story that sets the tone for your piece. What is your reader thinking when they open up a magazine? What do they want to read? How much information does the cover photo tell them about your story? In other words, what kind of headline gives your story away in the first few sentences? This is how people often find yourself reading before even reading the entire article, so don’t let them be misled by a dull title or poorly-conceived headline. Have some fun title ideas for your article to keep the readers curious.


2. ‘A Body Described As An Argument Or Statement Of Claim Made By Your Opposing Side Is Enough To Confirm That It Has A Point’


This seems easy but there’s a lot more to consider than just presenting the facts. There’s no “right” way to say you think. Even if you feel strongly about something (for example, whether gay marriage should be legal across the country), you never said that it was “just right.” What your opponents say is important but your own opinion is paramount. Take time to research your point of view before attempting to present anything as simple as this in your piece. Readers are unlikely to care that your argument is straightforward, so focus on making your point in your article. Don’t forget to include evidence to back your claims.


3. ‘A Conclusion Must Make Sense And Be Written With Understanding’


The ending is as important as the contents of your story. Whether you have a complex idea or not, the concluding paragraph MUST contain a logical thought. Unless your final sentence is completely unrelated to what happened in the beginning, you risk losing credibility. The conclusion needs to clearly summarize everything you’ve learned and explain the significance of your arguments. If you have any idea of how to go about concluding, make sure you share it in your article. 


4. ‘The Main Message Must Define Your Topic AND Achieve Its Purpose’


Your topic may have already been decided at the top of the page, but the core message of your text still matters. Write for your audience. Keep your audience in mind. Whatever topic you chose, choose the most relevant thing that the majority needs to know in order for their point to be made. Stick to only the points that your readers will need to understand in order to achieve whatever goal they want. No distractions!


5. ‘A Compelling Title Must Tell A Simple Truth Or Question’


What makes a great title for your text? Do you want to persuade your audience to buy into your point of view or are there other questions to be answered? Are you trying to answer a question to improve human relationships? Write interesting titles and keep them short enough for your audience to want more. For example, here’s my article Why Abortion Isn’t Always Safe.


Conclusion


5 Things Writers Should Know About Writing Good Stories


If you want to succeed as a freelance journalist, you have to learn these skills, right? But if you’re struggling to figure out who you are as a person and where you want to take your career, maybe some pointers would help. In fact, several years ago, I helped create a list of 10 tips to become a better writer. Most of the advice was good but some were downright dumb! Today, I wanted to highlight 5 things that I’ve picked up over the years and share my experiences about writing for a living. Check them out below and I’ll see you around the corner.