Article Writing (5 Marks) Page#01

An article is a piece of writing usually written to be published in a newspaper or a

magazine.
While they present information on a variety of topics, they are mainly written to
communicate to a wider audience the writer‘s opinion, perspective or analysis of an issue.
At its CORE, an article should be:
COHERENT: An article must be clear and logical.
ORGANIZED: An article must have an internal unity and structure.
RELEVANT: The points in an article must be pertinent to the topic.
ENGAGING: The reader must be drawn to the article.

The three components of an article are

✓ Format
✓ Content
✓ Expression

✓ Format refers to the way the article is to be presented. The three aspects of format are:
1. Title: A catchy short statement that draws the reader to the article and gives basic
information about the topic.

2. By-line: The name of the writer

3. Body: It is the main component of the article. Body can be broadly classified as:
a. Introduction: It provides a sentence to engage the attention of the reader. This
can be in the form of a relevant fact, a quote or a question. The introduction also
provides some background information about the topic Finally, the introduction
provides a statement that describes the subject matter of the article.
b. Discussion: This part of the article needs to be developed according to the topic.
There should be a minimum of two to three paragraphs in this part. A few
appropriate examples in the section can make the article more appealing.
c. Conclusion: This part the article is usually three to four sentences in length and
restates the main topic of the article. It could also summarize the new insights
that are developed in the article.

✓ Content refers to the value points in the article. These points must be relevant to the
topic at hand. The various points must be logically connected to each other.
✓ Expression refers to several aspects of the language used in writing the article.
Accuracy, appropriacy and range of vocabulary are important amongst these.

Marking Scheme of Article Writing: (Word Limit: 120-150 words)

Format = 1 Mark
Content = 3 Marks
Accuracy of spelling and grammar = 1 Mark

Ashwini Kumar
GENERAL STRATEGIES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS BASED ON ARTICLE WRITING Page#02

1. Read the question carefully to gain a full understanding of the following details:
Topic: What is the article about? Look for specific information here.
Purpose: Why is the article being written? To inform, explain, analyze or persuade?
Audience: Who is the target reader?

2. Read the questions and the options keeping in mind the CORE features of an article-
Coherent, Organized, Relevant and Engaging.

3. In a coherent article, the relationship between ideas will be clear and the ideas will
connect to each other logically. Linkers are a useful tool to achieve this smooth
transition between points.

Purpose : Linkers (words / expressions to be used in article)

Example :for instance, for example, in some cases
Adding ideas :moreover, furthermore, in addition, and, also, as well, as well as
Contrasting Ideas :however, on the contrary, nevertheless, although, whereas, even
Contrasting Ideas :though, unlike, in spite of, despite
Similarities :similarly, likewise
Cause :since, as, because, due to
Emphasis :indeed, in fact, obviously
Result :therefore, as a result, thus, consequently
Conclusion :to sum up, in conclusion, in summary
Sequencing :firstly, secondly, finally

After writing an article you should check the following things in your written article:
Checklist for a Good Article Written
Appropriate and catchy title ✓
By-line ✓
3-5 paragraphs with coherent, relevant, and engaging points ✓
Introduction ✓
Clear Organization ✓
Use a catchy and appropriate quotation/slogan etc. ✓
Conclusion ✓
Solved Examples:
1. You are Nipun. You came across an article on child labour in a magazine. It read there
are 70-80 million children forced into leading adult lives despite the Constitution
prohibiting children under fourteen years of age from working or being exposed to
hazardous equipment. Write an article in about 120 words about children working
under conditions which are damaging to their physical, social, emotional and spiritual
development. Ashwini Kumar
Ans. 1: Page#03
BANNING CHILD LABOUR
By: Nipun
Children are the future of the nation. But due to poverty 70-80 million children are forced
to work in many health hazardous industries. These children are forced into leading adult
lives. Children are seen working at tea stalls, cycle repair workshops, begging and doing
many other works. They are supposed to attend school and build their future. They have
the right to education. It is poverty and lack of awareness that make them labour.

The constitution prohibits children under fourteen years of age from working for a living.
Yet, weak, semi-clad children are working in road-side dhabas. They can be seen in nickel-
plating factories. Even small girls are found working in brick kilns. These are sad scenes to
eyes. These children should have been in schools. Nelson Mandela said, “The true
character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children.”

Everyone says that small children should be in school. The poverty-stricken parents want
their children to make some money as soon as possible. So, the real problems are poverty
and lack of education. A child working as a labour has his health also at stake.
Therefore, it is mandatory for the authority to ban child labour in any form. The parents
should be made aware about the importance of education. In addition to this, necessary
financial aid should be provided to the parents of such children.
2. Emotionally as well as intellectually, a woman is as good as a man if not better. Yet the
society doesn't allow her the same status as a man enjoys in society. Write an article, in
120-150 words, on 'Status of Women in Society'. You are Navtej/Navita.

Ans.2.
STATUS OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY
By: Navtej/Navita
The worth of a civilisation can be judged by the place given to women in the society. One
of the several factors that justify the greatness of India's ancient culture is the honourable
place granted to women. However, the status of women in India has been subject to many
great changes over the past few millenniums.

From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval
period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India
has been eventful. In modern India, women have adorned high offices in India including
that of the President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Leader of the
Opposition. However, women in India generally are still exposed to numerous social
issues. Though emotionally as well as intellectually a woman is as good as a man, they are
not allowed the same status as a man in the Indian society. Even when women are
working, they are not given equal pay for equal work at certain places. To add to all these
woes, they are stared at, ill-treated and discriminated against at home, at workplace and
in the society.
Ashwini Kumar
 Page#04
It is rightly said that a woman who doesn’t ask for anything deserves everything. We need
to promote education and skill development for women. They should be given priority in
jobs. We also need more women-friendly laws. Though we celebrate Women's Day on
March 8, what we need is to understand the real contribution that women make to the
society. It is not just about celebrating one day. In fact, it is about understanding and
thanking all the women in our lives. We need to understand the small sacrifices that they
make every day, so that we can have a better tomorrow.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE:

Q. 1. On Earth Day, you participated in various eco-friendly campaigns initiated by your
school. Write an article in about 150-200 words for your school magazine giving details
of these campaigns and the impact on you. You are Shubhangi/ Deepak of Brightland
Public School.
Hints:
– Importance of Earth Day and other environment days.
– Eco- friendly campaigns initiated by the school
– detailed description of the activities
motivation, difficulties,
how they were overcome,
sense of achievement, satisfaction
– community outreach
– impact on you
Q. 2. On the threshold of being a world super power, India does have a large young
workforce but unfortunately not many in this force are employable for want of
necessary skills. Write in about 150-200 words, an article for a newspaper on the topic
'Skill Development is the need of the hour'. You are Anita/Arnav.
Hints:
Introduction- mention briefly the status of the issue
Topic analysis-
discuss why Indian education fails to develop employability skills among youth.
describe how this deficit affects Indian economy, industry, business and people
Conclusion-
suggest what can be done to develop these skills among the young people who are
going to be the mainstay of the workforce of the future
Q. 3. While reading about new places and searching for them online has its merits, the
advantages of travelling to various destinations far exceed them. Write an article in 120-
150 words for the magazine Travel Times, evaluating both these options. You may use
the cues given below along with your own ideas. You are Amrit/ Amrita.
Hints:
• Builds confidence
• Make friends and memories
• Experience new cultures
• Expands knowledge
Ashwini Kumar