Article

WRITING
⊳ 5 things you need to know
about writing Articles
1. The reader is identified
⊳ An article is like a direct conversation with the reader. The exam
question might tell you who your readers are. For example, the students
at a school, or the people living in a town or people who are interested in
sports. Everything you write must speak to that reader and engage their
interest right from the first sentence.

READ THE QUESTION!

2. It has to get attention
⊳ If you're anywhere on the internet these days, you'll be bombarded with
articles with headlines that pull the reader in. It's called "click baiting"
and all the writer is trying to do is make you open the page to read their
article. You need to think like a journalist when you're writing your
article.
3. It has to be interesting
⊳ For an article to work, it has to be engaging enough to read all the way
through. Remember how bored the examiner must be after reading fifty
exam papers. Make it easier for them to get a good impression about
your writing by entertaining them. Add humour, real life or made up
examples, or make up quotes (make sure it’s appropriate!)
4. It has to be easy to read
⊳ Use subheadings to break up the text and make clear paragraphs. Write
in a semi-informal, conversational style. And make sure there is
organisation to your ideas. The planning stage is vital for this. Spend 5-
10 minutes brainstorming ideas and choose the best three or four. Think
what your subheadings might be and then write a short introduction that
lets the reader know what to expect.
Keep in mind that you want the reader to keep reading, so don't tell them
exactly what they will read. This is not an essay! In an essay you usually
restate the question, explain how you will answer it and maybe say why
it's important. In an article, e r ead er 's
il l th
that will k
interest!!
5. Write a good ending
⊳ In an essay you sum up the points that have gone before and draw a
conclusion from that. But in an article, it's better to give the reader
something to think about, perhaps by asking them another question or
giving them a call to action. Often, the best endings link back to the
starting point in some way.
You have seen this announcement in a magazine about
the natural world.

NATURE LOVERS! CAN YOU HELP US?

Next month, the magazine is about the climate and saving energy. We
are running a competition for readers. Write and send us an article
about how to save energy around the house. You could see your
name in print!

Write your article.

Who is the reader?

Three ways to save energy around the home Include a title

In a time when the world is trying to save its natural resources, it’s easy for many Introduce the subject by
of us to help by using less energy in our house. restating the question

Take, for example, standby switches on TVs. Many people don’t realise that when
you aren’t watching it, you might still be using electricity. All you have to do is
switch it off at the plug when you go to bed and you’ve already reduced your
electricity bill. Use clear paragraphs for
each part of your article
A second way to use less energy is to fit special light bulbs which last longer than
normal light bulbs and use less energy. They cost a little more but in the long run,
they save you money.
Don’t forget a
Finally, put a sweater on! When it gets cold, many people turn up the heating. But conclusion.
if they just put a sweater on they would quickly get warmer without using fuel. Sometimes you can
include a message to
So next time you are about to switch it on or turn it up, ask yourself if you really the reader
need to, and save yourself some money at the same time!
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Intresting adjectives
Positive : fantastic, tremendous, amazing, wonderful
Negative : awful, dreadful, appalling, dire
Appearance : colourful, attractive, good-looking, visually stunning, well-designed
Noise : loud, noisy, deafening, silent
Surface : smooth, rough, flat, bumpy

Sequences and additions Examples

Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally Take …
A second way is to … For example …
Another idea is to … One example is …
In addition to that … … is a good example of …
WRITING TIME!
You have seen this announcement in a newspaper about
a global pandemic.

COVID-19! WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Covid-19 has been affecting worldwide since early this year. Our
country is not an exception. We are running a competition for readers.
Write and send us an article about the things to do amidst this
pandemic. You could see your name in print!

Write your article. (140 – 190 words)