How To Write Articles
March 25th 2009 15:40
Just today, I saw another request for guidance on this subject on one of the forums (or fora for the Latin speakers) I frequent. The call for help usually comes from new writers or people who do not have English as their first language. I thought I'd lay out one method of writing, which works for me.
Firstly, I make sure I remove distractions. This may seem a funny place to start, but it's very difficult to write properly if you're hungry, sitting in a very noisy room, have half a dozen web-games running or the neighbour's dog is biting your foot. By removing the distracting factors, it's easier to focus.
Secondly, I choose my subject. Normally this is the reason for sitting down to write in the first place: there's an idea already there. However, if you find yourself a bit lost, a quick trawl of the web can provide easy inspiration: forums, discussions, news and other blogs can all provide an idea for a post (cf. this one!).
Thirdly, I'll do a little research. In many cases, this isn't necessary, since the subject's been bouncing around inside my skull anyway, but it's always worth double-checking facts. It can also lead to wonderful discoveries, such as a superb piece on writing articles that I found while looking into this post. (Don't worry, that'll appear as a Word Phile tomorrow!)
Fourthly, choose a style. In the case of a blog post, it's easy enough - since your style is already established, the new article will follow suit. If you're writing a stand-alone piece, though, there is a question of whether you prefer it to be serious, literary, conversational, instructional, argumentative or another style entirely. Looking at the target audience helps a lot here: writing a piece on legal issues generally requires a more serious approach than a discussion of the latest "phat lewt" in a game, for example.
The fifth step is to jot down a quick list of points to make in the piece of work. This can be as simple as scribbling on a piece of paper or typing a few guide words into Notepad (which is what I did for this post). If the article is long and involved, it may be better to come up with a more definite plan, though: start with a quick summary, present the arguments, move on through the logical debate and facts, then reach the conclusion.
Only then will I move on to the actual writing. Those first steps should have taken about five minutes or so, with additional research time if needed.
Once the piece is written, I'll leave it for a few minutes. Play a game of Solitaire or something. Then I'll come back and try to eliminate the waffling, but also make sure the important points are defined and described properly - especially if there are technical terms, buzzwords or slang. This is also a good time to check the word count.
Now that the piece is a bit 'tighter', it's time to run it through the spelling, punctuation and grammar checks. This is more important if you're writing for publishing by a third party, where you won't be able to edit it later.
Finally, I'll put the article to one side and go do something else. A little later, I'll return to it and re-read it, just to make sure it makes sense. Then it goes off for public viewing!
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Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Sometimes this is the hardest thing. Other times I am overwhelmed with ideas to write about and just get confused deciding what to write about.
But we all find some sort of system to manage our blogs, don't we?
Lovely how you took us through the steps.
Comment by Spike 2
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
Have you tried some of the creativity-jogger web sites out there? There's loads of anti-writer's-block sites with suggestions and ideas to prompt your neurons.
Comment by Wilson Pon
Health 2 Know
Adventure Toes
boxing sound
Business Rope
Fun Places 2 Travel
Spike, I doubt that there is any person who can write articles, while a dog is biting his/her foot! lol
PS: Well, I also have my pain on my arse, as my neighbors love to sing karaoke from morning until midnight. To be honest, after a period of time, I've already paralyzed and get to used with it!
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
Here's my method. Take two of these and plenty of bed rest.
If symptoms persist, insult a professional.
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
Comment by Spike 2
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
Chris: There's method to my madness, or vice versa. Admittedly, the above process is an ideal - sometimes I just splurge stuff out of my demented cranium direct onto the screen. Messy, but fun. (I do that thing with little notes, too: I usually lose them, though. Sigh.)
Norm: Can I take two professionals and a bed, rest and insult people in the morning?
Comment by Carolyn Cordon
Light Within
How do You Express Your Creativity?
Food Leaf
Damn those dogs of mine, haven't caught a mouse between the lot of 'em!
Unless they're catching and eating them when I'm not looking, of course.
btw, is there a cure for this addiction to blogs and blogging, the other members of the family are getting worried. And they don't see me here when they're off to work/school!
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
Comment by Spike 2
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
Put humane mouse traps along the walls: unlike rats, mice are stupid and follow the wall around the room instead of heading in whatever direction takes their fancy. Just remember to release them far away... next door's garden should do fine.
If there's a cure for blogging addiction, it's probably... erm... nope, no idea! Let me know if you find one (that doesn't involve adultery).
Norm: My lady/muse might have something to say about that!!
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Carolyn Cordon
Light Within
How do You Express Your Creativity?
Food Leaf
Comment by Kristin Wolgemuth
Poetry Lighthouse
Time to Get Up Club
Comment by Spike 2
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
Kristin: Thank you! It's just one way of working, but it suits me. Some folks just sit down and amazing words flow from their fingertips - I'm not so lucky!
Comment by Carolyn Cordon
Light Within
How do You Express Your Creativity?
Food Leaf
Actually it pains me in the spot others might call my soul every time on dies in the trap.
But they shouldn't be in my house!