Steps and vocabulary to write an article

1. Article

2.  Is a piece of writing usually intended for
publication in a newspaper, magazine or journal.
 Is written for a wide audience, so it is essential to
attract and retain the readers’ attention
 May include amusing stories, reported speech and
descriptions.
 May be formal or informal, depending on the
target audience.
 Should be written in an interesting/entertaining
manner.
 Should give opinions and thoughts, as well as
facts.
 Is in a less formal style than a report.

3.  Describe an experience, event, person or place.
 Present an opinion or balanced argument.
 Compare and contrast
 Provide information
 Offer suggestions
 Offer advice

4.  An eye-catching title which attracts the readers’
attention and suggests the theme of the article.
 Articles can also have subheadings before each
paragraph.
 An strong introduction which clearly defines the
topic to be covered and keeps the reader’s
attention.
 The main body of 2-5 paragraphs in which the
topic is further developed in detail.
 A strong conclusion – summarising the topic or a
final opinion, recommendation or comment.

5.  WHERE is the article going to appear –
newspaper or magazine?
 WHO are the intended readers – a specific group
of students/teenagers, or adults in general?
 WHAT is the aim of the article – to advise,
suggest, inform, compare and contrast, describe,
etc.?
 **These three points are the deciding factors in
the layout of your article – its style, language and
level of formality.

6.  Determine the information you are going to use.
 Organise your ideas carefully into paragraphs.
 Each paragraph should have a clear topic
sentence.
 Depending on your target audience, your article
could take on a formal, semi-formal or informal
style.

7.  Use vocabulary and descriptive language
appropriate to the article.
 Linking expressions and words, and a variety of
vocabulary will only improve your work and make
it more interesting.
 DO NOT use over-personal or over-emotional
language or simplistic vocabulary.

8.  Rhetorical questions - a question asked solely to
produce an effect or to make an assertion and not
to elicit a reply. You would normally go on to
answer it yourself.
 Address the reader directly
 Informal language (if appropriate)
 Punchlines - the climactic phrase or sentence in
a joke, speech, article, or humorous story that
produces the desired effect.

9.  We’re all supposed to hate advertising, but do
we? I don’t think we do at all.
 What’s Las Vegas got to offer the tourist?
Everything from magnificent modern architecture
to the worlds largest casinos.
 So what are we really talking about?
 So is this really true?

10.  I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that ...
 We all hate it when someone keeps us waiting.
 Why not give it a try? You’ve got nothing to lose.
 Is this really the answer for all of us?

11.  Let’s look at the problem from two different points
of view.
 So, the government should clean up this mess as
soon as possible.
 I think that another problem with banning traffic
from the city centre...
 It seems to me that what’s important here is...

12.  On a personal note, I’d like to say that....
 How fantastic would that be?
 After all, in the end it may be the only thing to do.