5 Types of Article You Can Write
If you always write the same type of article then you areprobably limiting your chances of getting published. Look at
your favorite publications and you will see they print a variety
of types of article. Here are five of the most popular types.
The ‘How To’ Article
This is a very popular type of article, in which you tell the
reader how to do something. It could be how to build a garage,
how to write a book, how to sell a house, or how to clean tar
off a pair of trousers. These articles tend to be particularly
popular because people love to find out how to do something.
When writing how to do something, and if the sequence is
important, then it is a good idea to number each step. Remember
to keep your instructions simple, yet specific. And you could
even use a picture or illustration if the publication allows it.
The ‘List’ Article
The list article is an article that lists several related pieces
of information, and is one of the easiest types of article to
write. It could be “10 Ways To Save Money”, “5 Flowers to Plant
In April”, or “The Best 12 Places To Live In Canada”. A list
article should have:
• An introduction. • The list; each item may be a paragraph or
two. • A conclusion.
The ‘Roundup’ Article
In the roundup article, you provide a roundup of information,
statements, or opinions from a variety of sources. You might
interview a number of experts, for example, and ask them the
same list of questions. In your article you then write a roundup
of the answers, e.g.
“Bill Jones, CEO of SHJ Limited, is confident that the market
will turn around soon. “Within the next six weeks at most”, he
predicted. But Tom Sloane, at Pickwick Associates, disagrees. He
explains why…”
The 'Inspirational' Article
Inspiration articles include inspirational narrative, essays,
articles on faith and religion, and self-help articles.
Do you know of an issue or concern that affects many people?
Think of your own every day experiences. Write about the issue…
and help the readers to deal with life and to improve themselves
in some way.
The ‘As Told To’ Article
Because many of the people who have outstanding experiences are
not writers, there is a market for writing those people’s
stories. This is quite similar to ghostwriting, except that in
this case the audience knows that you are the writer. In the
credits, you would show “By Peter Wallace [subject], as told to
Jim Davies…” [writer].
Instead of writing a third-person narrative of the event, the
‘As Told To’ article makes the tale more real and personal by
using the first-person.
So next time you are about to write an article, pause… and ask
which type of article would best suit your situation and topic.
By varying the types of articles you write your writing will
also develop a new depth and your articles will be picked up by
a much wider variety of publications.
David Goldsmith is a freelance consultant and helps to manage
ArticleStop, your one-stop resource for great, free content.
http://www.ArticleStop.com
posted by Passer Indicus @ 1:26 AM
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