How to Write an Article

Article from Francis Maina – not the original author

Finally, we are here to learn how to write an article. And not just writing for the sake of it, but writing to earn from it. You have basic grammar, a laptop, and the internet and now here you are, ready to write.

Here is how you write an article for a client

1. Title

This is the headline. The heading of your article. It tells your readers what to expect. The title will make a reader decide whether or not to read your article.

Some clients will give you a title to use, while others will give you a keyword. Once you are given a keyword (we will talk about it later), you can come up with any title.

Ensure your title is attractive enough to encourage someone to read your article. Avoid short titles.

Do not write your title in upper case, e.g., HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE. Instead, write in the title case and make it bold. Example, How to Write an Article.

2. Body

This is the ‘meat’ of your article. It makes up about 80% of your article.

It starts with an introduction, which should be as catchy as your title. Avoid a lengthy introduction.

Remember, what we learned in the previous post. Never copy and paste from sites. If you are searching for content from the internet, ensure you paraphrase every 4 words to avoid plagiarism.

For example, if the original source says, “Joel is a cheerful person, he is slow to anger”, your version should be something like “Joel doesn’t get easily angered. He is always cheerful”.

However, what is recommended as the best way of writing instead of paraphrasing or rewriting is to read from different sources, understand, and write using your own words.

Unless otherwise instructed, write short paragraphs. Most clients prefer 2-3 lines per paragraph. Ensure you follow your client’s guidelines.

Make sure you’re creative in writing the body of your article. You can use bullets if you deem it necessary, especially if your article is about guides, steps, tips, etc. However, ensure the bullets do not exceed a third of the article unless instructed so.

Always use subtitles. They make your article more readable. Strive to have them unless the client instructs otherwise.

Further, avoid using the first person (I, we, me, our, etc.) Use the second or third person. In most cases, the second person (you, your, etc.) is preferred.

When you are asked to include images in your content, you can get free images from some sites such as Pexels, Unsplash, and Pixabay. Screenshots are acceptable as well, especially when talking about software or procedures that one can follow online.

3. Conclusion

Assign at least a paragraph for the conclusion. You can subhead it as “Final Thoughts”, ‘Bottom Line”, etc.

Some clients may not require you to include a subtitle “Conclusion” but instead, you just summarize your main points in the last paragraph. Others may instruct you to just call to action as the closing instead of summarizing the main points.

Remember to use the keyword in the conclusion, more so if it is specified by the client.

Do not introduce any new points at the conclusion. Summarize the main points as highlighted by the body of the article.

Next post, we will delve on keywords and hyperlinks. Keep it here!