write an article for vice

Member-only story

Earned Media and Thought Leadership

How to write for vice, in 4 steps, freelancers can pitch the brand and get paid for one-off submissions or reporting..

The Startup

What do personal finance misinformation, world politics commentary, and a video of a dude having s*x with a donkey have in common? They’re all stories that have been covered by VICE…

Written by Nick Wolny

🏳️‍🌈 Gay dude. Mg. editor, CNET; finance columnist, Out magazine. Sign up for Financialicious, a newsletter some call “the gay Morning Brew,” @ nickwolny.com .

Text to speech

• The D.C. Brief

Can Joe Biden Be Replaced as the Nominee? Here’s How It Could Happen

C oncerns about President Joe Biden’s age and ability to win a second term have churned within the Democratic Party party for more than a year. Those fears became much harder to ignore after Thursday night, when he struggled through a presidential debate against former President Donald Trump. The 81-year-old Biden fumbled his words, trailed off at points, and repeatedly lost his trains of thought.

Republicans mercilessly mocked the showing and Democrats spiraled into open panic.

At present, there is no clear-cut mechanism to replace Biden as the party's nominee—he already won more than enough delegates during the primaries to secure his nomination ahead of the Democrats’ national convention in August.

Still, there are ways for Democrats to end up with someone other than Biden at the top of the ticket, especially if Biden willingly steps aside—but the timing, and the Democratic National Committee’s own regulations , has a lot to do with what’s possible, let alone plausible. (Not to mention the challenge of settling on a replacement.)

Here are some of the scenarios for how a Democrat other than Biden could become the party's presidential nominee.

Biden withdraws from the race before he’s formally nominated

In 1968, Lyndon B. Johnson, then-President and the frontrunner for the Democratic Party’s nomination, shocked the country by announcing that he would neither seek nor accept his party’s nomination. The announcement came after he almost lost in the New Hampshire primary to Eugene McCarthy. 

Then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who was nominated for President at the convention later that year, eventually lost to Republican nominee Richard Nixon after a campaign season that saw Robert F. Kennedy gunned down in Los Angeles and George McGovern briefly joining as a stand-in for that vein of liberalism. 

Biden has made no such announcement. But if he does decide to withdraw from the race in the coming weeks, delegates will be able to nominate a new candidate, though rules that vary by state will govern who they can back instead. 

According to Rule 13, Section J, of the DNC’s delegate selection rules , “delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in good conscience reflect the sentiment of those who elected them.”

This scenario would formally set off an intense fight for the party nomination among those with the name recognition and reputation to sway enough delegates in a very short period. Along with Vice President Kamala Harris, people who may actively vie for the nomination could include Governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gavin Newsom of California, and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois

Biden rejects the virtual nomination

Because of a quirk in Ohio law which had required all candidates to be legally certified by Aug. 7—more than a week ahead of Biden’s scheduled nomination at the convention that opens in Chicago on Aug. 19—Democrats are set to formally nominate Biden in a virtual roll call weeks before the convention. (Ohio lawmakers recently passed a law to iron out that quirk, but the DNC has said that the virtual roll call will continue just to be safe.)

Biden may choose to reject the virtual nomination, which was meant to be a formality, setting up delegates to select a new nominee at the Democratic Party’s in-person convention, where delegates will still participate in a traditional roll call.

Delegates have second thoughts about Biden before nomination

Despite some loud protest votes in primaries, Biden has won a strong majority of the delegates: of an estimated 3,937 pledged delegates assigned in the primaries held so far, Biden is slated to arrive at the DNC confab in Chicago in August with 3,894 promised to be with him on the first vote. The extent to which those delegates are obligated to stick with Biden varies, based on state-by-state rules.

Also in play are 739 automatic delegates—or so-called superdelegates. Those are the party insiders like ex-Presidents, union chiefs, and mega-donors who can vote for anyone they want. In 2018, the party chose to reduce the influence of superdelegates on the nomination process, agreeing that superdelegates would not automatically get to vote on the first ballot.

On paper, the math remains in Biden’s favor if he continues to want the nomination. Absent Biden releasing the pledged delegates and state rules allowing such flexibility, they’re with Biden through at least the first round of balloting.

But there are still ways for delegates to, essentially, stage a revolt. This is where Convention Chair Minyon Moore comes in. Under DNC rules, a ruling from the chair can shut down almost anything. Bypassing the ruling of the convention chair would require 25% of the delegates demanding a roll call vote. 

Confused yet? It’s about to get worse: every DNC jurisdiction—that’s each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., American territories, and a jurisdiction representing Democrats who live abroad—has slightly different rules for how to handle thorny convention issues like bypassing a rule of the chair or making changes to their delegation. So how a brokered convention plays out could get incredibly complicated with the world’s eyes trying to make sense of arcane rules being adjudicated in real time on live TV.

Biden decides after the convention that he has second thoughts

This would actually be the cleanest scenario in terms of process and most opaque in terms of—lower-case D—democratic values.

Under Rule 8, Section G, of the Call for the Democratic National Convention , if the presidential and/or vice presidential nominee dies, resigns, or becomes disabled after the convention, “the National Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee shall confer with the Democratic leadership of the United States Congress and the Democratic Governors Association and shall report to the Democratic National Committee, which is authorized to fill the vacancy or vacancies.”

Once the nomination is decided at the convention, though, only the nominee can choose to bail. The party can’t do it. The party may have second thoughts about their nominee, but if Biden refuses to drop out, there’s little to be done other than perhaps applying extraordinary pressures like cutting off the DNC’s bankroll and other resources to urge him to change his mind. Once the gavel falls, Democrats are stuck with Biden if he still has a pulse.

Biden wins a second term—but decides to step down or becomes otherwise incapacitated before Inauguration Day

If such a scenario unfolds before the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, the Vice President-elect would become President, according to the 20th Amendment . (This assumes those in the electoral college acted faithfully —that is, the electors voted for the winner of the election in their states, which have varying levels of stringency in enforcing this behavior.)

If that happens after Biden is inaugurated for a second term on Jan. 20, Kamala Harris would become President, and would be eligible to run for the top job in 2028 for a full four-year term.

More Must-Reads from TIME

• Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
• Melinda French Gates Is Going It Alone
• What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Medications
• How to Buy Groceries Without Breaking the Bank
• Sienna Miller Is the Reason to Watch  Horizon
• Why So Many Bitcoin Mining Companies Are Pivoting to AI
• The 15 Best Movies to Watch on a Plane
• Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

Write to Philip Elliott at [email protected]

How to Write an Article: A Proven Step-by-Step Guide

Are you dreaming of becoming a notable writer or looking to enhance your content writing skills? Whatever your reasons for stepping into the writing world, crafting compelling articles can open numerous opportunities. Writing, when viewed as a skill rather than an innate talent, is something anyone can master with persistence, practice, and the proper guidance.

That’s precisely why I’ve created this comprehensive guide on ‘how to write an article.’ Whether you’re pursuing writing as a hobby or eyeing it as a potential career path, understanding the basics will lead you to higher levels of expertise. This step-by-step guide has been painstakingly designed based on my content creation experience. Let’s embark on this captivating journey toward becoming an accomplished article writer !

What is an Article?

An article is more than words stitched together cohesively; it’s a carefully crafted medium expressing thoughts, presenting facts, sharing knowledge, or narrating stories. Essentially encapsulating any topic under the sun (or beyond!), an article is a versatile format meant to inform, entertain, or persuade readers.

Articles are ubiquitous; they grace your morning newspaper (or digital equivalents), illuminate blogs across various platforms, inhabit scholarly journals, and embellish magazines. Irrespective of their varying lengths and formats, which range from news reports and features to opinion pieces and how-to guides, all articles share some common objectives. Learning how to write this type of content involves mastering the ability to meet these underlying goals effectively.

Objectives of Article Writing

The primary goal behind learning how to write an article is not merely putting words on paper. Instead, you’re trying to communicate ideas effectively. Each piece of writing carries unique objectives intricately tailored according to the creator’s intent and the target audience’s interests. Generally speaking, when you immerse yourself in writing an article, you should aim to achieve several fundamental goals.

First, deliver value to your readers. An engaging and informative article provides insightful information or tackles a problem your audience faces. You’re not merely filling up pages; you must offer solutions, present new perspectives, or provide educational material.

Next comes advancing knowledge within a specific field or subject matter. Especially relevant for academic or industry-focused writings, articles are often used to spread original research findings and innovative concepts that strengthen our collective understanding and drive progress.

Another vital objective for those mastering how to write an article is persuasion. This can come in various forms: convincing people about a particular viewpoint or motivating them to make a specific choice. Articles don’t always have to be neutral; they can be powerful tools for shifting public opinion.

Finally, let’s not forget entertainment – because who said only fictional work can entertain? Articles can stir our emotions or pique our interest with captivating storytelling techniques. It bridges the gap between reader and writer using shared experiences or universal truths.

Remember that high-quality content remains common across all boundaries despite these distinct objectives. No matter what type of writer you aspire to become—informative, persuasive, educational, or entertaining—strive for clarity, accuracy, and stimulation in every sentence you craft.

What is the Format of an Article?

When considering how to write an article, understanding its foundation – in this case, the format – should be at the top of your list. A proper structure is like a blueprint, providing a direction for your creative construction.

First and foremost, let’s clarify one essential point: articles aren’t just homogenous chunks of text. A well-crafted article embodies different elements that merge to form an engaging, informative body of work. Here are those elements in order:

• The Intriguing Title

The title or heading is at the top. It’s your first chance to engage with a reader. This element requires serious consideration since it can determine whether someone will continue reading your material.

• Engaging Introduction

Next comes the introduction, where you set expectations and hint at what’s to come. An artfully written introduction generates intrigue and gives readers a compelling reason to stick around.

• Informative Body

The main body entails a detailed exploration of your topic, often broken down into subtopics or points for more manageable consumption and better flow of information.

• Impactful Conclusion

Lastly, you have the conclusion, where you tie everything neatly together by revisiting key points and offering final thoughts.

While these components might appear straightforward on paper, mastering them requires practice, experimentation with writing styles, and a good understanding of your target audience. 

By putting in the work to familiarize yourself with how to create articles and how they’re structured, you’ll soon discover new ways to develop engaging content each time you put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!). Translating complex concepts into digestible content doesn’t need to feel daunting anymore! Now that we’ve tackled the format, our focus can shift to what should be included in an article.

What Should Be in an Article?

Understanding that specific items should be featured in your writing is crucial. A well-crafted article resembles a neatly packed suitcase – everything has its place and purpose.

Key Information

First and foremost, you need essential information. Start by presenting the topic plainly so readers can grasp its relevance immediately. This sets the tone of why you are writing the article. The degree of depth at this point will depend on your audience; be mindful not to overwhelm beginners with too much jargon or over-simplify things for experts.

Introduction

Secondly, every article must have an engaging introduction—this acts as the hook that reels your audience. Think of it as a movie trailer—it offers a taste of what’s to come without giving away all the details.

Third is the body, wherein you get into the crux of your argument or discussion. This is the point at which you present your ideas sequentially, along with supporting evidence or examples. Depending on the nature of your topic and personal style, this may vary from storytelling forms to more analytical breakdowns.

Lastly, you’ll need a fitting conclusion that wraps up all previously discussed points, effectively tying together every loose thread at the end. This helps cement your main ideas within the reader’s mind even after they’ve finished reading.

To summarize:  

• Critical Information: Provides context for understanding
• Introduction: Sheds further light on what will follow while piquing interest  
• Body: Discusses topic intricacies using narratives or case studies
• Conclusion: Ties up loose ends and reemphasizes important takeaways

In my experience writing articles for beginners and experts alike, I found these elements indispensable when conveying complex topics articulately and professionally. Always keep them at hand when looking to produce written material.

How should you structure an article?

Crafting a well-structured article is akin to assembling a puzzle – every piece has its place and purpose. Let’s look at how to create the perfect skeleton for your content.

The introduction is your article’s welcome mat. It should be inviting and informative, briefly outlining what a reader can expect from your writing. Additionally, it must instantly grab the readers’ attention so they feel compelled to continue reading. To master the art of creating effective introductions, remember these key points:

• Keep it short and precise.
• Use compelling hooks like quotes or intriguing facts.
• State clearly what the article will cover without revealing everything upfront.

Moving on, you encounter the body of your piece. This segment expands on the ideas outlined in the introduction while presenting fresh subtopics related to your core story. If we compare article writing to crossing a bridge, each paragraph represents a step toward the other side (the conclusion). Here are some tips for maintaining orderliness within your body:

• Stick closely to one idea per paragraph as it enhances readability.
• Ensure paragraphs flow logically by utilizing transitional words or sentences.
• Offer evidence or examples supporting your claims and reinforce credibility.

As you approach the far side of our imaginary bridge, we reach an equally essential section of the article known as the conclusion. At this point, you should aim to wrap up your message neatly while delivering on what was initially promised during the introduction. This section summarizes the main points, providing closure and ensuring readers feel satisfied.

Remember this golden rule when writing the conclusion: follow the  “Describe what you’re going to tell them (Introduction), tell them (Body), and then summarize what you told them (Conclusion).”  It’s a proven formula for delivering informative, engaging, and well-structured articles. 

One final tip before moving on: maintaining an active voice significantly enhances clarity for your readers. It makes them feel like they’re participating actively in the story unfolding within your article. In addition, it helps ensure easy readability, which is vital for keeping your audience engaged.

Tips for Writing a Good Article

A persuasive, engaging, and insightful article requires careful thought and planning. Half the battle won is by knowing how to start writing and make content captivating. Below are vital tips that can enhance your article writing skills.

Heading or Title

An audience’s first impression hinges on the quality of your title. A good heading should be clear, attention-grabbing, and give an accurate snapshot of what’s contained in the piece’s body. Here are a few guidelines on how to create an impactful title:

• Make it Compelling: Your title needs to spark interest and motivate readers to delve further into your work.
• Keep it concise: You want to have a manageable heading. Aim for brevity yet inclusiveness.
• Optimize with keywords: To boost search engine visibility, sprinkle relevant keywords naturally throughout your title.

By applying these techniques, you can increase reader engagement right from the get-go.

Body of the Article

After winning over potential readers with your catchy title, it’s time to provide substantial content in the form of the body text. Here’s how articles are typically structured:

Introduction:  Begin by providing an appealing overview that hooks your audience and baits them to read more. You can ask poignant questions or share interesting facts about your topic here.

Main Content:  Build on the groundwork set by your introduction. Lay out detailed information in a logical sequence with clear articulation.

Conclusion:  This reemphasizes the critical points discussed in the body while delivering a lasting impression of why those points matter.

Remember that clarity is critical when drafting each part because our objective here is to share information and communicate effectively. Properly understanding this approach ensures that the writing experience becomes creative and productive.

Step By Step Guide for Article Writing

How do you write an article that engages your readers from the first line until the last? That’s what most writers, whether beginners or seasoned pros are trying to achieve. I’ll describe a step-by-step process for crafting such gripping articles in this guide.

Step 1: Find Your Target Audience

First and foremost, identify your target readers. Speaking directly to a specific group improves engagement and helps you craft messages that resonate deeply. To pinpoint your audience:

• Take note of demographic attributes like age, gender, and profession.
• Consider their preferences and needs.
• Look into how much knowledge they are likely to possess concerning your topic.

Knowing this will help you decide what tone, language, and style best suits your readers. Remember, by understanding your audience better, you make it much easier to provide them with engaging content.

Step 2: Select a Topic and an Attractive Heading

Having understood your audience, select a relevant topic based on their interests and questions. Be sure it’s one you can competently discuss. When deciding how to start writing an article, ensure it begins with a captivating title.

A title should hint at what readers will gain from the article without revealing everything. Maintain some element of intrigue or provocation. For example, ‘6 Essentials You Probably Don’t Know About Gardening’ instead of just ‘Gardening Tips’.

Step 3: Research is Key

Good research is crucial to building credibility for beginners and experts alike. It prevents errors that could tarnish your piece immensely.

Thoroughly explore relevant books, scholarly articles, or reputable online resources. Find facts that build authenticity while debunking misconceptions that relate to your topic. Take notes on critical points discovered during this process—it’ll save you time when creating your first draft.

Step 4: Write a Comprehensive Brief

Having done your research, it’s time to write an outline or a brief—a roadmap for your article. This conveys how articles are written systematically without losing track of the main points.

Begin by starting the introduction with a punchy opener that draws readers in and a summary of what they’ll glean from reading. Section out specific points and ideas as separate headings and bullet points under each section to form the body. A conclusion rounds things up by restating key takeaways.

Step 5: Write and Proofread

Now comes the bulk of the work—writing. Respect the brief created earlier to ensure consistency and structure while drafting content. Use short, clear sentences while largely avoiding jargon unless absolutely necessary.

Post-writing, proofread ardently to check for typographical errors, inconsistent tenses, and poor sentence structures—and don’t forget factual correctness! It helps to read aloud, which can reveal awkward phrases that slipped through initial edits.

Step 6: Add Images and Infographics

Introduce visuals such as images, infographics, or videos into your piece to break text monotony and increase comprehension. They provide aesthetic relief while supporting the main ideas, increasing overall engagement.

Remember to source royalty-free images or get permission for copyrighted ones—you don’t want legal battles later!

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Article Writing

Regarding article writing, a few pitfalls can compromise the quality of your content. Knowing these and how to avoid them will enhance your work’s clarity, depth, and impact.

The first mistake often made is skimping on research. An article without solid underpinnings won’t merely be bland – it might mislead readers. Therefore, prioritize comprehensive investigation before penning down anything. Understanding common misconceptions or misinterpretations about your topic will strengthen your case. 

Next, sidestep unnecessary jargon or excessively complex language. While showcasing an impressive vocabulary might seem appealing, remember that your primary objective is imparting information efficiently and effectively.

Moreover, failing to structure articles effectively represents another standard error. A structured piece aids in delivering complex ideas coherently. Maintaining a logical sequence facilitates reader comprehension, whether explaining a detailed concept or narrating an incident.

A piece lacking aesthetic allure can fail its purpose regardless of the value of its text. That’s where images come into play. Neglecting them is an all-too-common mistake among beginners. Relevant pictures inserted at appropriate junctures serve as visual breaks from texts and stimulate interest among readers.

Lastly, proofreading is vital in determining whether you can deliver a well-written article. Typos and grammatical errors can significantly undermine professional credibility while disrupting a smooth reading experience.

So, when pondering how articles are written, avoiding these mistakes goes a long way toward producing high-quality content that embodies both substance and style. Remember: practice is paramount when learning how to write excellent material!

How to Write an Article with SEOwind AI Writer?

Using the power of artificial intelligence has been a major step in many industries. One such significant tool is SEOwind AI Writer , which is critical for those curious about how to write an article leveraging AI. In this section, I’ll cover how you can effectively use SEOwind AI writer to create compelling articles.

Step 1: Create a Brief and Outline

The first step in writing an article revolves around understanding your audience’s interests and then articulating them in a comprehensive brief that outlines the content’s framework.

• Decide on the topic: What ideas will you share via your article?
• Define your audience: Knowing who will read your text significantly influences your tone, style, and content depth.
• Establish main points: Highlight the key points or arguments you wish to exhibit in your drafted piece. This helps create a skeleton for your work and maintain a logical flow of information.

With SEOwind:

• you get all the content and keyword research for top-performing content in one place,
• you can generate a comprehensive AI outline with one click,
• users can quickly create a title, description, and keywords that match the topic you’re writing about.

As insightful as it might seem, having a roadmap doubles as a guide throughout the creative process. SEOwind offers a user-friendly interface that allows the easy input of essential elements like keywords, title suggestions, content length, etc. These provide an insightful outline, saving time with an indispensable tool that demonstrates the practicality of article writing.

Step 2: Feed AI with context

The magic ingredient to make your AI content stand out is feeding it with the right kind of information.

1. Define your Brand Voice

• Your brand’s voice is its heartbeat. We will help you sketch it out. Just provide SEOwind with some sample text.
• Check out this handy video on  SEOwind Brand Voice Feature
• Company and product details
• The more we know about your company, products, services, and audience, the better. This fuels the AI to craft content that truly resonates.
• Dive into our video on  SEOwind Company data feature

3. Integrate with Google Search Console

• Authorize GSC integration, so SEOwind can find relevant internal linking opportunities when writing your articles.

4. Choose a model for AI Writing

• Choose between GPT-4 (which offers a creative flair to your writing) and the Google Gemini 1.5 Pro (which focuses on data precision and accuracy).
• For more details, check the video  Gemini vs OpenAI

5. Enrich AI with your own insights

To stand out from generic content, it’s essential to enrich your AI-generated articles with your own insights and expertise. This not only adds value to your content but also positions your brand as an authority in your field. In order to add your own insights, just toggle on Your own insights when creating the brief (Section: Include in AI Article within Build your brief) and add your thoughts in the field.

Step 3: Write an AI Article using SEOwind

Once you have a brief ready, you can write an AI article with a single click. It will consider all the data you provided and much more, such as copywriting and SEO best practices , to deliver content that ranks.

Step 4: Give it a Human Touch

Finally, SEOwind’s intuitive platform delivers impeccably constructed content to dispel any confusion about writing an article. The result is inevitably exceptional, with well-structured sentences and logically sequenced sections that meet your demands.

However, artificial intelligence can sometimes miss the unique personal touch that enhances relatability in communication and makes articles more compelling. Let’s master adding individualistic charm to personalize articles so that they resonate with audiences.

Tailoring the AI-generated piece with personal anecdotes or custom inputs helps to break the monotony and bolster engagement rates. Always remember to tweak essential SEO elements like meta descriptions and relevant backlinks.

A quick product tour on how to create AI articles below

So, whether it’s enhancing casual language flow or eliminating robotic consistency, the slightest modifications can breathe life into the text and transform your article into a harmonious man-machine effort. Remember – it’s not just about technology making life easy but also how effectively we utilize this emerging trend!

Common Questions on how to write an article

Delving into the writing world, especially regarding articles, can often lead to a swarm of questions. Let’s tackle some common queries that newbies and seasoned writers frequently stumble upon to make your journey more comfortable and rewarding.

What is the easiest way to write an article?

The easiest way to write an article begins with a clear structure. Here are five simple steps you can follow:

• Identify your audience: The first thing you should consider while planning your article is who will read it? Identifying your target audience helps shape the article’s content, style, and purpose.
• Decide on a topic and outline: Determining what to write about can sometimes be a formidable task. Try to ensure you cover a topic you can cover effectively or for which you feel great passion. Next, outline the main points you want to present throughout your piece.
• Do the research: Dig deep into resources for pertinent information regarding your topic and gather as much knowledge as possible. An informed writer paves the way for a knowledgeable reader.
• Drafting phase: Begin with an engaging introduction followed by systematically fleshing out each point from your outline in body paragraphs before ending with conclusive remarks tying together all the earlier arguments.
• Fine-tune through editing and proofreading: Errors happen no matter how qualified or experienced a writer may be! So make sure to edit and proofread before publishing.

Keep these keys in mind and remain patient and persistent. There’s no easier alternative for writing an article.

How can I write an article without knowing about the topic?

We sometimes need to write about less familiar subjects – but do not fret! Here’s my approach:

• First off, start by thoroughly researching subject-centric reliable sources. The more information you have, the better poised you are to write confidently about it.
• While researching, take notes and highlight the most essential points.
• Create an outline by organizing these points logically – this essentially becomes your article’s backbone.
• Start writing based on your research and outlined structure. If certain aspects remain unclear, keep investigating until clarity prevails.

Getting outside your comfort zone can be daunting, but is also a thrilling chance to expand your horizons.

What is your process for writing an article quickly?

In terms of speed versus quality in writing an article – strikingly enough, they aren’t mutually exclusive. To produce a high-quality piece swiftly, adhere to the following steps:

• Establish purpose and audience: Before cogs start turning on phrase-spinning, be clear on why you’re writing and who will likely read it.
• Brainstorm broadly, then refine: Cast a wide net initially regarding ideas around your topic. Then, narrow down those areas that amplify your core message or meet objectives.
• Create a robust outline: A detailed roadmap prevents meandering during actual writing and saves time!
• Ignore perfection in the first draft: Speed up initial drafting by prioritizing getting your thoughts on paper over perfect grammar or sentence compositions.
• Be disciplined with edits and revisions: Try adopting a cut, shorten, and replace mantra while trimming fluff without mercy!

Writing quickly requires practice and strategic planning – but rest assured, it’s entirely possible!

Seasoned SaaS and agency growth expert with deep expertise in AI, content marketing, and SEO. With SEOwind, he crafts AI-powered content that tops Google searches and magnetizes clicks. With a track record of rocketing startups to global reach and coaching teams to smash growth, Tom's all about sharing his rich arsenal of strategies through engaging podcasts and webinars. He's your go-to guy for transforming organic traffic, supercharging content creation, and driving sales through the roof.

Table of Contents

• 1 What is an Article?
• 2 Objectives of Article Writing
• 3 What is the Format of an Article?
• 4 What Should Be in an Article?
• 5 How should you structure an article?
• 6 Tips for Writing a Good Article
• 7 Step By Step Guide for Article Writing
• 8 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Article Writing
• 9 How to Write an Article with SEOwind AI Writer?
• 10 Common Questions on how to write an article

Related Posts

• AI For Writing Articles – Must-See List

How to Create High-Quality Content with AI in 2024

AI Ghostwriting: Craft Perfect Content Fast!

• #100Posts30DaysChallenge
• Affiliate program
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions

Latest Posts

• Best 10+ Writesonic Alternatives and Competitors in 2024
• AI Humanizer: Achieve 100% Human-Like Writing
• Top 10 Strategies: How to Rank for B2B in 2024 [+ bonus]
• SEOwind vs MarketMuse vs Frase
• SEOwind vs Marketmuse vs Clearscope
• SEOwind vs Clearscope vs Frase
• SEOwind vs Surfer SEO vs Clearscope
• SEOwind vs Surfer SEO vs Frase
• SEOwind vs Jasper AI vs Frase
• SEOwind vs Rytr vs Jasper
• SEOwind vs Writesonic vs Rytr
• SEOwind vs Writesonic vs Copy.ai

© 2024 SEOwind.

• AI Article Writer
• Content Brief Generator
• Internal Links Plugin
• CyborgMethod Bootcamp
• Human vs AI Experiment

Privacy Overview

Trump's VP announcement could come as early as this week

Former President Donald Trump could announce his pick to be his vice presidential running mate as early as this week, possibly ahead of Thursday's debate, according to four people familiar with the situation.

Trump has said publicly that he intends to announce his pick shortly before, or at, the Republican convention next month.

But there have been high-level discussions in recent days within the Trump campaign about moving that timeline up and making a splash sooner , according to these sources, who requested anonymity to speak frankly.

The sources also cautioned that the timing is not yet final and that the decision could still happen closer to the convention.

After this article was published, Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita tweeted, "yes ..it could come as soon as today …or …sometime in mid july !!"

Trump will be in Atlanta on Thursday for his first debate against President Joe Biden. He has a rally scheduled Friday in Virginia.

The planning comes less than a month before the Republican National Convention, which is set to begin July 15 in Milwaukee. Four days beforehand, Trump is due to be sentenced for his conviction in New York on 34 counts of falsifying business documents related to hush money payments to cover up a sexual encounter with adult film star Stormy Daniels, an affair he has denied occurred.

That gives him a limited window in which to introduce his running mate to the public.

NBC N e ws re ported Friday that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida were still high on the list of potential picks.

Trump said over the weekend that he knows whom he will choose and that his running mate will be present for the debate, which will be hosted by CNN in Atlanta. Rubio, Vance and Burgum are all expected to be in town for the debate.

People familiar with discussions about a pre-debate announcement had differing views about Trump's leanings. One said he is eager to fill his ticket before he squares off with Biden. Another source said he would like the opportunity to throw a curveball to distract Biden before they meet but understands that such a move could create logistical and political complications.

"Early last week, there was a definitive shift away from an announcement timed with the start of the convention," said a third person familiar with the planning.

Trump's official spokespeople have regularly tamped down speculation about the timing of an announcement and the identity of Trump's running mate, and they did so again Tuesday.

"As President Trump has said himself, the top criteria in selecting a vice president is a strong leader who will make a great president for eight years after his next four year term concludes," Trump spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement. "But anyone telling you they know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying unless that person is named Donald J. Trump."

Burgum sidestepped a question from NBC News on Tuesday about whether he planned to speak with Trump before the debate.

"Looking forward to the debate for sure," he said. "We’ll be in Atlanta."

He ignored a follow-up question about whether he has talked with Trump about the job this week.

Henry J. Gomez is a senior national political reporter for NBC News.

Dasha Burns is a correspondent for NBC News.

Matt Dixon is a senior national politics reporter for NBC News, based in Florida.

Julie Tsirkin is a correspondent covering Capitol Hill.

Jonathan Allen is a senior national politics reporter for NBC News, based in Washington.

• Storytelling

• Data Journalism
• Law & Ethics
• Social Media

AJR covers the news media, with a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and digital storytelling.

Want to hear about my short-lived career as a teenaged female wrestler ? Or how about the time I took my dog to pet Reiki ? Perhaps, I can indulge you in the advice an escort gave me on selling myself to strangers online.

Did that get your attention? That’s the point. These articles, as seen on Vice.com, represent the growing trend of personal essays in journalism, which is seeping onto the pages of other news organizations like The New York Times, which is currently running a series called “ Couch ” that explores the intricacies of therapy through essays written by psychotherapists and patients.

Eve Fairbanks, a contributing editor at The New Republic, addressed this in a recent column for The Washington Post called “How personal essays conquered journalism—and why they can’t cut it.”

In an interview with AJR, she explained that the overuse of personal narratives in journalism could lose an outsider’s view, which is often very necessary in painting an accurate picture of a prominent issue.

“In the course of reporting my piece, some people speculated to me that we’ve gotten a lot more familiar with the first person due to Facebook and blogging,” said Fairbanks.

Personal narratives are the bread and butter at news sites like Vice and “have an eyewitness, citizen-journalism, on-the-ground quality that people like,” according to Fairbanks.

Fairbanks explained that when she got her start at The New Republic, the magazine had a “Diarist” section where editors and freelancers wrote page-long personal reflections on current events. So while the appeal for this style of writing is not novel, Fairbanks believes it is probably growing.

Personal narratives aren’t necessarily detrimental to journalism. Sometimes it’s important for a writer to establish him or herself in an article for the sake of the audience, according to Fairbanks.

“I don’t know how much we lose by inserting ourselves in stories,” said Fairbanks. “My own method has always been to make my presence clear in my reporting. I think we lose something when we write mainly about anecdotes that already happened in our own lives instead of going out and seeking stories.”

Jamie Lee Curtis Taete, Vice’s west coast editor, contacted by AJR, said he did not feel he was qualified to weigh in on narratives in journalism because “the majority is experiential writing and doesn’t really include much actual reporting.”

“I would say I’m more of a ‘blogger’ than a journalist,” he added, in an email.

AJR spent a week combing through Vice to learn more about immersion reporting, which the arts, culture and news website embraces. Here are three examples of first-person narratives you’ll find on Vice:

The Embedded Event Feature

Vice frequently covers events from a first-person perspective, including Comic Con. (Screenshot)

Vice features many stories from the perspective of writers who actively participate in and experience an intriguing event. For example, an article by Nick Gazin called “New York Comic Con is the Best Thing in My Life” follows Gazin’s four-day exploits at New York Comic Con, an annual fan convention celebrating all things pop culture. The story includes an interview with a panel of cast members from the animated FOX show “Bob’s Burgers,” a long anecdote from comedian and director   Kevin Smith about quitting sugar and many photographs, including one depicting a man dressed in a Ninja Turtle costume signed by the actors from the 2014 film.   Organized chronologically, the piece is free-flowing, personal and honest (“I hope you enjoy reading it. If you don’t, you can just look at pictures of people in cool costumes,” Gazin wrote in the article’s introduction) with a word count of 3,368. Vice writers have also told first-person stories of joining a Cosmopolitan Election Day campaign and attending a singles mixer for potheads . Recently, the site published an essay about spending the night patrolling with a Canadian superhero named LightStep, which would also qualify for the next category of Vice narratives.

The Outrageous and the Outlandish

A Vice article featured the efforts of several writers who tried to convince people via an online dating app to buy them stuff, like pizza. (Screenshot)

Many of Vice’s stories are designed to get readers’ attention. This is true of many of the personal essay stories, like one entitled “My Grandma the Poisoner.” The narrative, written by novelist John Reed, dramatically profiles a complicated but allegedly abusive woman. It’s interesting because Vice has several articles like this that aim to grab a reader’s attention before surprising them with a story that taps into something relatable and powerful. A quick scan of Vice’s most popular recent posts shows the success of these articles, with top stories like one that covered a “ Hunger Games”-inspired protest in Bangkok and another where various writers trolled the online dating app Grindr and tried to convince the people they were dating to buy them stuff .

Fairbanks explained that these types of stories have value in today’s media landscape.

“It helps the writer stand out [and] claim uniqueness in an era when there are nearly infinite competing voices on blogs offering analysis, creating a crisis of authority,” said Fairbanks. “So your or my analysis of Obama’s presidency might be no more special than anybody else’s pontificating on the Internet, but that person whose grandma is a poisoner is probably one of the few people who can speak to that experience.”

The Heartbreaking Personal Stories

A Vice writer (pictured) shares her personal story of having a miscarriage, and how exercise has helped her cope. (Screenshot)

The most powerful narrative stories come from painful personal experiences—this is the motor behind the first-person narrative movement in journalism. It’s no different at Vice, where you can find many stories of personal struggle, whether that be growing up gay in Communist Romania or suffering a miscarriage. The latter story , by Kate Merry, details going through a miscarriage and the psychological trauma that plagued her. She uses her personal story to open a discussion about the stigma attached to miscarriages and why this still exists. One writer recently disclosed his personal battle with depression after misguidedly obsessing over a Jack Kerouac lifestyle. In the essay, James Nolan, a writer for Vice UK, detailed the influence of the Kerouac novels like “On the Road” and “Five Easy Pieces” had on his life, which he processes as a desire to escape his mental illness.

Vice is looking for writers

May 13, 2022, posted by margarita sanabria.

I think we could all use a bit of queer joy right now, and I’m so excited to bring it. I want all of you to pitch me stories that are hopeful, positive, uplifting, and even just silly fun!

ABOUT THE COMPANY

VICE is a global media channel focusing on investigative journalism about everything from world news, travel, art, drugs, politics, to sports, fashion and sex.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Whether you’re pitching a one-off story or a recurring series, we’re interested in ideas along the following topics.

• Fandoms and stan culture
• Influencer culture
• Unexplored elements of internet culture
• Music trends
• Deep dives on niche topics
• Extremely thorough investigations of extremely inconsequential things
• Highbrow treatment of lowbrow topics
• “Rabbit hole” stories, or stories that unravel longstanding or little-known mysteries
• Oral histories
• Unconventional approaches to mainstream topics
• Expert angles on mainstream topics
• Gritty, VICE-y nostalgia
• Online cultures and subcultures (how existing subcultures, whether good or bad, are finding new ways to connect and communicate online)
• Tip-of-the-tongue trends (things that others have noticed but not identified, i.e., “the gentrification font”)
• Food trends and cultural analyses that haven’t been identified elsewhere

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN SUBMISSION

• Write a short introduction about yourself
• Include a paragraph highlighting your writing experience, relevant credentials and publication credits
• Attach links to your strongest work or portfolio, and online profile.

COMPENSATION

• about 50 cents per word

For more information, visit their website .

Before applying, review submission guidelines . Email all questions and submissions to Nico Lang, Editor at Vice, at: [email protected]

Apply here.

• Entertainment , Food , Freelance , Music , VICE

Decrypt hires Sinclair as Asia editor

June 30, 2024, williams departs reuters for bloomberg, remembering the quintessential business editor, denver biz journal hires tomtas as a reporter, june 29, 2024, bloomberg, ny times, wsj among national press club award winners, subscribe to tbn.

Receive updates about new stories in the industry daily or weekly.

Chris Roush, founder [email protected]

Talking Biz News is a division of Vested LLC 114 E. 25th St. New York, NY 10010 917-765-8720

© Talking Biz News

Receive updates about new stories in the industry.

Member-only story

Vices: the good the bad the ugly

Personal vices can provide pleasure and serve as coping mechanisms, but they can also have negative consequences..

Michael Lawrence

Disclosure: I only recommend products I use and love myself, and all opinions expressed here are honest and my own. This post may contain affiliate links that cost you nothing extra but allow me to earn a small …

Written by Michael Lawrence

Web and Mobile Application development | writing about productivity, lifestyle, AI and development. Student of stoicism

Text to speech

Sign Up For Paid Writing Opportunities

How to write a pitch that gets you published & paid, before you craft the pitch.

At 19 years old, Zachary Schwartz was determined to get published on Vice, a major website with millions of visitors a month.

He’d never been paid to write before, and had never done any paid journalism.

But he was determined.

And he succeeded.

If you want to write a pitch that gets you published and paid for your writing, his story sets a very good example.

He did not start by writing a pitch and sending it to an editor at Vice. He did not start by thinking about his interests as a writer, and then carefully crafting every word of his pitch.

The first step he took, and arguably the most important step, was carefully studying the Vice website. He gained a deep understanding of what they published — and what they would want to publish.

Then, and only then, was he ready for the next step.

But, surprise. He didn’t write his pitch yet. There was more work ahead. He first had to get exclusive access to the material Vice would want to publish, which meant convincing a certain artist to give him exclusive access to his new project.

As I’ll discuss later, getting exclusive access wasn’t enough to break into Vice. There was one more element: persistence.

Become an Expert

In 2013, Theresa St. John decided she wanted to be a travel writer. She was in a tight spot. Her ex-husband had gambled away her savings. She was struggling to pay her bills.

But, like Zachary, she was determined.

She knew that travel writing could lead to exciting adventures in faraway places. But, she quickly realized she would have to start closer to home.

So, she became an expert on her small town of Saratoga.

She didn’t just spend time digging around the internet. She took a notebook and visited local attractions, keeping an eye open for potential stories that travel magazines would want to publish.

She then found several magazines that focused on her area of expertise — and sent them a pitch.

Her full case study is available to read in The Case Study Guide to Freelance Writing.

The Three Sentence Pitch Formula

As the editor of Freedom With Writing, I get a quite a few pitches from writers seeking to write for my publication.

The best pitches follow this basic three sentence format:

• Introduce the idea in one short sentence. Often, this is the only thing necessary for a pitch to get accepted. This makes it very easy on me, the editor, to quickly determine whether the pitch is suited for my publication.
• Include a brief sentence that adds credibility. This could be another sentence that expands on the idea, making it more concrete. Or it could be a short sentence that establishes relevant experience, or even a sentence mentioning previous articles we’ve published, and how this article was inspired by them.
• Finally, a very short sentence to close the pitch . This part shows you’re easy to work with. Say something like “thank you for your consideration.”

That’s it. Three sentences. (Surrounded by Dear Editor, and Sincerely, Author Name.)

If you’re able to summarize a good idea in just one sentence, it also shows you have a deep understanding of both the publication and the idea.

Sure, you can go long and double the length. Sometimes it is necessary, depending on the idea, but often it just makes it harder on the editor.

But, a three sentence pitch is all you need to send.

Keep in mind, that the work you’ve done before writing the pitch is what ultimately determines the success of the pitch.

Will the editor be excited by the idea?

Does the idea closely fit what they publish?

Does the idea provide value not easily acquired by other writers? (Such as exclusive access, domain-level expertise, or a unique perspective?)

If at first you fail, keep calm and pitch again.

Based on feedback from my readers at Freedom With Writing, as well as through mentoring writers via our training programs at Writing Launch, I’ve discovered a common pitfall that holds quite a few writers back.

I recently got an email from a writer whose application was rejected by a content marketing agency.

She was “absolutely disgusted” with the company. She wanted to take their rejection email and “shove it where the sun don’t shine.”

Clearly, they had hit a nerve. To her, this was a deeply personal rejection.

In her mind, they hadn’t rejected her writing. They had rejected her. They had told her that she wasn’t good enough.

Writing can be such a deeply personal part of our identities. For many writers, this isn’t just about our ability to write, but about our value as unique and important individuals.

Writing is art — and it sometimes connects with the most vulnerable parts of who we are.

However, in order to get published again and again, a writer needs to develop a thick skin.

And the most surefire way to do that is to take a step back, and separate your attempts at getting published from your identity as a writer.

Instead of thinking about the pitching process as “selling yourself,” think about it as selling solutions to people’s problems. For magazine editors, that could mean giving them the right article at the right time.

Think of this as a way to externalize things. It takes the pressure off, creating the ability to think about things more objectively, and as a lot more fun.

Zachary Schwartz, in his quest to get published by Vice, had to face rejection multiple times.

He could have taken each rejection personally, as a slight against his work. However, with each rejection, he took a step back, and looked for the best way to move forward.

He had worked very hard to gain exclusive access to exactly the type of feature story Vice loves to publish. He even went ahead and wrote a 1,500 word article. He then pitched six editors at Vice.

And then he waited.

None of them responded.

Instead of giving up, he sent a short follow up message.

He finally got three responses. All of them rejected his original article.

One of the editors, however, was willing to work with him, but he would have to completely rewrite the article, turning it into a Q&A. (Making the work even less about the author than it had ever been!).

At any point in the process, he could have focused inward, attempting to express himself, and his identity as a writer. Instead, he continually focused outward, carefully studying the situation, and adjusting his actions based on the situation in front of him.

That’s how he broke into writing for a major publication as a teenager.

Zachary Schwartz’s full case study will be published soon, in our upcoming edition of The Paid Publishing Guidebook.

Your Comments:

Thank you for a great and encouraging article.

What do you mean by “exclusive access? ”

Also, at Atlantic Magazine they have Object Lessons (essays on objects) and culture-based essay submissions for another section of the publication. They ask for what seems like comprehensive pitches. But do they really want just 1-3 sentences?

Very encouraging article. I’m in the process of writing an article for an urban studies journal.

Thanks for a great reminder that the writing is not us, it’s what we do. I’m getting back into article writing after a 5 year hiatus,these article are keeping me motivated. Thanks!

Good job keep writing.

thanks, good article…i am enjoying learning from the experiences of other writers and the insight provided for successful pitches. Seperating one’s self from one’s writing is indeed, a personal experience and a lesson for ‘focussing outward’ to provide more value to the content. I hope that i can learn that lesson as well.

Hey, This is very encouraging. I’m in the process of becoming a great writer. I keep learning each and every day. Though not easy, I’m determined. Thank you very much. Being a trainee in your writers’ Academy is a privilege. There is a lot that I’m learning. Waiting for the case study.

It’s very inspirational, thank you!

Loved reading about Zachary’s determination in getting published. Every writer’s story is so different. Success is so personal – it’s great to learn tactics other people use – I always incorporate some into my own journey.

As a writer, I tend to wear my heart on my shirt sleeve. It’s articles like these that teach me to “roll up” my sleeves and put my heart aside for a moment so I can focus on what my prospective client needs…not necessarily what the wants are but focus on their needs…good advice for life as well.

Very inspiring and I foresee myself being among the top journos and writer

Awesome helpful hints. This is where it all begins. As I tell my students, without instructions you’re afloat on a sea of mediocrity. Thank you!

This is great advice. Thank you so much. I’ve heard parts of it before but sometimes it takes a while for it to sink in. It also helps to hear things in different ways.

Thank you! Very encouraging. Because every rejection makes you feel rejected, vulnerable, exposed and incapable. But this article wakes some fire in me to try again.

I find your writing a little childish. Both your writing style and content. I’m sure your heart is in the right place, but I doubt you are qualified to give this kind of advice. I worked with several travel writers and you just don’t fit the profile.

Says the person whose writing in this paragraph is fraught with errors.

Thanks for your insight into writing pitch, it was quite inspiring.

That s so informative insightful content for the people who are passionate about the writing, and very helpful to make people understand.

Thanks for sharing.

Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

i know that this book is written good i will prefer to this boobs

Leave a Reply

Add your insights, criticisms, thoughts, opinions, or responses to the article.

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

We send you writing jobs.

Sign up and we'll send you 3 companies hiring writers now. Plus, we'll send more companies as we find and review them. All in our free email magazine.

We're the magazine for freelance writers.

We send you companies hiring writers., subscribe and we'll send you 3 companies hiring right now., we'll also send you a guide that gets you started., we're completely free., subscribe now. (it's free.).

We're dedicated to helping freelance writers succeed. We send you reviews of freelance writing companies, assignments, and articles to help build your writing career. You can view our privacy policy here, and our disclaimer. To get started, simply enter your email address in the form on this page.

Freedom With Writing | We Send You Paid Writing Opportunities | View Our Privacy Policy

• White House
• Energy/Environment
• Health Care
• Transportation
• Heard on the Hill
• Fintech Beat
• Political Theater
• Donald Trump
• White House Calendar
• White House Releases
• Press Seating Chart
• Donald Trump Twitter
• Correspondents Dinner
• Newsletters
• Capitol Ink
• Roll Call e-Edition
• Classifieds

Biden gave debate performance Democrats feared, but Trump did not win new votes

Ahead of the debate, the Trump team released an ad they planned to run after the event arguing that a vote for Biden is really a vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, seemingly predicting Biden’s performance.

“You know who’s waiting behind him, right?” the ad’s narrator said.

“Listen, people can debate on style points, but ultimately this election and who is the president of the United States has to be about substance, and the contrast is clear,” Harris said on CNN after the debate, trying to turn the focus to Trump. “He would not disavow what happened on Jan. 6. He would not give a clear answer on whether he would stand by the election results this November.”

Harris also referenced the Trump-appointed Supreme Court justices helping to overturn Roe v. Wade — but Trump himself seemed to waffle on a particular position on abortion, arguing repeatedly that the issue was in the hands of states now and falsely saying it was a universal goal he’d delivered.

[ Fact-checking the Biden-Trump debate ]

“Everybody wanted to get it back to the states,” Trump said. “Everybody without exception — Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives — everybody wanted it back.”

Biden landed jabs, repeatedly arguing that Trump was not telling the truth, that historians had voted Trump the worst president in history, and calling him a “whiner” who could not accept his loss in 2020 and would refuse to do so again this year.

“The idea if you lose again, you accepting anything — you can’t stand the loss,” Biden said. “Something snapped in you when you lost the last time.”

There was also this historic exchange, after Trump called Biden “a criminal” for demanding Ukraine replace a corrupt prosecutor:

“The idea that I did anything wrong relative to what you’re talking about is outrageous. It’s simply a lie, No. 1,” Biden said. “No. 2, the idea that you have a right to seek retribution against any American just because you’re president is wrong. It’s simply wrong. No president has ever spoken like that before. No president in our history has spoken like that before. No. 3, the crimes you are still charged with. And think of all the civil penalties you have. How many billions of dollars do you owe in civil penalties? Or for molesting a woman in public, for doing a whole range of things, of having sex with a porn star on the night while your wife was pregnant. I mean, what what what are you talking about? You have the morals of an alley cat.”

“I didn’t have sex with a porn star,” Trump replied, accusing Biden of using the Justice Department to go after him — even though Trump was convicted by the Manhattan district attorney in New York City. “Because he thought it was going to damage me. But when the public found out about these cases, because they understand it better than he does, he has no idea what these cases are. But when he — when they found out about these cases, you know what they did? My poll numbers went up. Way up.”

But Biden also appeared to freeze at one point in an answer before saying, “We finally beat Medicare.” And in one answer about Ukraine, Biden used Trump’s name when he appeared to be referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Afterward, his allies focused statements largely on policy, and some did not even try to sugarcoat Biden’s performance.

Former Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said on MSNBC that she wished she were in the role of debate surrogate so she could look to the positive, but in the role of network commentator she spoke directly about how poorly she thought Biden had performed.

“My job now is to be really honest. Joe Biden had one thing he had to do tonight, and he didn’t do it. He had one thing he had to accomplish, and that was to reassure America that he was up to the job at his age,” McCaskill said. “And he failed at that tonight.”

McCaskill said she was hearing from elected officials, including those in offices where “you might know where they serve.”

“I don’t know if things can be done to fix this,” she said, noting that Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom were effective surrogates Thursday night.

“Those two people are signaling to a whole lot of Americans that are paying attention, how come they’re not running? How come the Democratic Party doesn’t have them at the top of the ticket instead of using them to shore up what have become after tonight some pretty glaring weaknesses … in our president,” McCaskill said.

Newsom was in Georgia as one of the top surrogates in the spin room for the Biden-Harris campaign, appearing along with Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.

As with the vice president and Newsom, Warnock and other surrogates speaking on Biden’s behalf argued for the election continuing to be about issues and policies.

“I would be concerned if the president didn’t have a record to run on, but the fact of the matter is that this is a man who has passed historic legislation,” Warnock told reporters after the debate.

Democrats also tried to keep the focus on Trump.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said Trump “was acting as if he was some used car salesman and could just tell us whatever and pretend as if it was fact.”

The question may be less whether Biden’s showing Thursday will drive voters to Trump, however, or whether it will boost voter apathy, driving them stay home, to cast a ballot for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., or — as is possible in Nevada — to vote for none of the candidates whose name appear on the ballot.

Recent Stories

Supreme Court’s ‘Chevron’ ruling means changes for writing laws

Prosecution rests in Sen. Bob Menendez corruption trial

Supreme Court denies Steve Bannon bid to remain out of prison

Debate debacle — Congressional Hits and Misses

Democrats uneasy about Biden’s ‘crappy’ debate night

Supreme Court upholds Oregon city law targeting homeless

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Article Writing

How to Write Articles

Last Updated: June 23, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Janet Peischel . Janet Peischel is a Writer and Digital Media Expert and the Owner of Top of Mind Marketing. With more than 15 years of consulting experience, she develops content strategies and builds online brands for her clients. Prior to consulting, Janet spent over 15 years in the marketing industry, in positions such as the Vice President of Marketing Communications for the Bank of America. Janet holds a BA and MA from the University of Washington. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 3,288,171 times.

There are a multitude of different types of articles, including news stories, features, profiles, instructional articles, and so on. While each has specific qualities that are unique to its type, all articles share some common characteristics. From forming and researching your idea to writing and editing your work, writing articles can give you a chance to share compelling and important information with readers.

Forming Your Idea

• News: This type of article presents facts about something that happened recently or that will happen in the near future. It usually covers the 5 Ws and H: who, what, where, when, why and how.
• Feature: This type of article presents information in a more creative, descriptive way than a straight news article. It can be an article about a person, a phenomenon, a place, or other subject.
• Editorial : This article presents a writer’s opinions on a topic or debate. It is intended to persuade the reader to think a certain way about a topic.
• How-to : This article gives clear instructions and information about how to accomplish some task.
• Profile: This article presents information about a person, using information that the writer typically gathers through interviews and background research.

• What interests you about this topic?
• What is a point that people usually overlook?
• What do you want people to know about this topic?
• For example, if you want to write about organic farming, you might say to yourself, “I think it’s important to know what organic labeling means on food packages. It can be confusing to know what it all means.”

• Your goal is to convey enough passion that your readers think the issue in your article is worth caring about.

• Enter some keywords into an online search engine. This can lead you to sources that write about your topic. These sources can also give you an idea of different approaches to the topic.
• Read as much as you can on the topic. Visit your local library. Consult books, magazine articles, published interviews, and online features as well as news sources, blogs, and databases for information. A good place to start looking for data not apparent on the Internet is the Gale Directory of Databases, which exists in both book format (available in libraries) or online .

• For example, for the organic food topic, you might focus on one grocery shopper who doesn’t understand organic food labeling. Use that opening anecdote to lead into your main argument, known as a "nut graph," which summarizes your unique idea or perspective.

• For example, if you are writing about how one person learns how to read organic labels, your overall argument might be that the public needs to be aware that many companies misuse organic labeling. This leads to dishonest practices in product advertising. Another topic might be: it’s important to know who owns your local media outlets. If corporate media organizations own your local newspaper, you may get very little media coverage of your area and not know much about your community.
• Write your argument in one sentence. Post it near your computer or writing area. This will help you stay focused as you start working on your article.

Researching Your Idea

• Primary sources can include a transcript from a legislative hearing, lawsuit filing, county property indexes with folio numbers, discharge certificates from the military, and photos. Other primary sources could include government written records in the National Archives or special collections sections of your local or university library, insurance policies, corporate financial reports, or personal background reports.
• Secondary sources comprise published databases, books, abstracts, articles in English and other languages, bibliographies, dissertations, and reference books.
• You can find information on the internet or in a library. You can also conduct interviews, watch documentaries, or consult other sources.

• You can make a longer list of evidence and examples. As you gather more evidence, you will be able to prioritize which ones are the strongest examples.

• Don’t assume that one source is completely accurate. You'll need several unrelated sources to get the full picture.

• Choose a citation style sooner rather than later, so you can compile citation information in the correct format. MLA, APA, and Chicago are some of the most common citation styles.

• Don’t copy any text directly from another source. Paraphrase this text instead, and include a citation.

Outlining Your Idea

• For example, if you are writing an article for a specialized academic audience, your tone, and approach will be vastly different from if you’re writing an article for a popular magazine.

• It’s helpful to start with the five-paragraph essay outline. [3] X Research source This outline devotes one paragraph to an introduction, three paragraphs for supporting evidence, and one paragraph for a conclusion. As you start plugging in information into your outline, you may find that this structure doesn’t suit your article so well.
• You might also find that this structure doesn’t suit certain types of articles. For example, if you’re doing a profile of a person, your article may follow a different format.

• Make sure to fully attribute your quote and use quotation marks around anything that you didn’t write yourself. For example, you might write: A spokesperson for the dairy brand Milktoast says, “Our milk is labeled organic because our cows are only fed organic grass.”
• Don’t overdo the quotes. Be selective about the quotes you do use. If you use too many quotes, your reader might think you’re using them as filler instead of coming up with your material.

Writing Your Article

• Telling an anecdote.
• Using a quote from an interview subject.
• Starting with a statistic.
• Starting with straight facts of the story.

• Be flexible, however. Sometimes when you write, the flow makes sense in a way that is different from your outline. Be ready to change the direction of your piece if it seems to read better that way.

• For example, you might write about the grocery shopper having trouble with organic food labels: “Charlie concentrated on jars of peanut butter on the shelf. The words ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ seemed to jump out at him. Every jar said something different. He felt they were shouting at him: ‘Choose me!’ ‘Buy me!’ The words started swimming in front of his eyes. He left the aisle without buying anything.”

• For example, use words or phrases such as “however…,” “another important point is…,” or “it must be remembered that…”

• For example, a newspaper article will need to offer information in a narrative, chronological format. It should be written with accessible and straightforward language. An academic article will be written with more formal language. A how-to article might be written in more informal language.
• When writing your article, use a strong "anchoring" sentence at the beginning of each paragraph to move your reader forward. Moreover, vary the length of your sentences, both short and long. If you find all your sentences are about the same word length, chances are your reader will be 'lulled" into a standard rhythm and fall asleep. Sentences which are consistently choppy and short may give your reader the impression you are writing advertising copy instead of a well-thought-out article.

• If you started with an anecdote or statistic in your introduction, think about reconnecting to this point in your conclusion.
• Conclusions are often strongest when they use a last, brief, concrete example that leads the reader to new insights. Conclusions should be 'forward-thinking' -- point the reader in a direction that keeps his or her "thirst" for knowledge going strong.

• For example, you could include photographs, charts, or infographics to illustrate some of your points.
• You could also highlight or develop a major point more with a sidebar-type box. This is an extra bit of writing that delves more deeply into one aspect of the subject. For example, if you’re writing about your city’s film festival, you might include a sidebar write-up that highlights one of the films. These types of write-ups are usually short (50-75 words, depending on the publication outlet).
• Remember, these materials are supplemental. This means that your article should stand on its own. Your writing needs to be understandable, clear and focused without the help of charts, photographs or other graphics.

Finalizing Your Work

• Look closely at the central argument or point you’re trying to make. Does everything in your article serve this central argument? Do you have a unrelated paragraph? If so, this paragraph should be eliminated or reframed so that it supports the main argument.
• Eliminate any contradictory information in the article or address the contradictions, showing how the contradictory information is relevant to readers.
• Rewrite sections or the entire thing as necessary. Revisions like this are common for all types of articles, so don’t feel like you’ve failed or are incompetent.

• It’s helpful to print out a hard copy of your article. Go through it with a pen or pencil to catch mistakes. Then go back and correct these mistakes on the computer.

• It is common to be able to identify your mistakes in grammar or writing while reading aloud as well; this could cut down on the feedback that you may receive from someone else.

• This person may also catch errors and inconsistencies that you have overlooked.

• If you want to convey slightly more information, write a sub-headline. This is a secondary sentence that builds on the headline.

How Do You Minimize Bias In an Article?

Article Outline Template

Expert Q&A

• Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to write the article. If you don't, you'll be rushing at the last minute to create something that isn't representative of what you can truly do. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• To find out more about using primary research tools and databases, consult the Investigative Reporters and Editors website or get a copy of The Investigative Reporter's Handbook: A Guide to Documents, Databases and Techniques, Fifth Edition. Authors: Brant Houston and Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. (New York: Bedford/St. Martin's 2009). Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Determine whether you actually have an interest in writing. Try writing 2 paragraphs with as much creativity as possible. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• When writing for a newspaper or magazine, do not do so free. Ask what the freelance fee is beforehand. Your pay will usually be calculated on a per-word basis or per-article basis. Your work is valuable. Writing for free makes making a living more difficult for those who depend on freelance fees to pay the bills. If you're just starting out, volunteering to do some articles for smaller community papers, student publications and trade magazines is a great way to build your portfolio. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Janet Peischel. Digital Media Expert. Expert Interview. 30 March 2021.
• ↑ https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/writing/creating-a-5-paragraph-essay-outline.html
• ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/why-is-context-important-in-writing#quiz-0
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/166662

About This Article

To write an article, use both primary and secondary sources to gather information about your topic. Primary sources include photos, government records, and personal interviews, while secondary sources include books, abstracts, scholarly journals, other articles, and reference books. When you’re writing, use facts, quotes, and statistics from your sources to support your point, and explain your topic as if the reader has never heard of it before. To learn the different types of articles, including news, features, and editorials, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Aamir Mustafa

Jun 17, 2016

Anthony Oxley

Aug 20, 2022

Hannah Duff

Nov 20, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

What does the vice president do?

Assistant Professor of Political Science, Westminster College

Disclosure statement

Joshua Holzer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

View all partners

On Jan. 20, Kamala Harris will become vice president of the United States – the first woman, the first person of South Asian descent, and the first African American to do so. Harris will also become the first vice president to have graduated from a historically black college or university .

Each of these achievements is significant in its own right. However, the vice presidency itself has traditionally been a relatively insignificant position, though the office has become more influential in recent years.

The ‘most insignificant’ office?

The role of vice president is only mentioned in the U.S. Constitution a handful of times. Article I, Section 3 says that the vice president “ shall be President of the Senate but shall have no Vote ” except in the event of a tie. Normally, ties are rare, but the vice president’s power to break them will likely become relevant to Harris as Democrats, and independents who caucus with Democrats, are expected to control only 50 of the 100 Senate seats.

The beginning of Article II, Section 1 explains how vice presidents are elected, which was later revised by the 12th Amendment . The end of that section states that presidential power “ shall devolve on the Vice President ” in the event of the president’s “Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office.” Finally, Article II, Section 4 states that vice presidents – like presidents – can be “ removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

So, other than staying out of trouble to avoid impeachment and waiting around for the president to need a replacement , vice presidents are really obligated only to occasionally cast a tie-breaking vote . This means that the great majority of the time, vice presidents have no real job to do.

John Adams, the first U.S. vice president, once complained to his wife that the vice presidency was “ the most insignificant Office that ever the Invention of Man contrived or his Imagination conceived.” However, not all have been upset about such inactivity. Woodrow Wilson’s vice president, Thomas Marshall, quipped after he retired : “I don’t want to work … [but] I wouldn’t mind being Vice President again.”

The evolution of the vice presidency

Wilson’s successor as president, Warren Harding, had unconventional views about the importance of the role of the vice president. He thought that “ the vice president should be more than a mere substitute in waiting ,” and he wished for his vice president, Calvin Coolidge, “to be a helpful part” of his administration. Coolidge later became the first vice president in history to attend Cabinet meetings on a regular basis.

In 1923, Harding died of a likely heart attack , and Coolidge succeeded him as president. “My experience in the Cabinet,” Coolidge later recalled , “was of supreme value to me when I became President.”

After Harding and Coolidge, many later presidents reverted back to the tradition of keeping vice presidents an arm’s length away, even on key matters. Franklin D. Roosevelt, for instance, kept the atomic bomb a secret from Vice President Harry S. Truman, who didn’t find out about it until Roosevelt’s death.

For the 1960 presidential election, two-term Vice President Richard Nixon faced off against John F. Kennedy. At one point during the campaign, reporters asked then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower: “Can you think of a major contribution that Nixon has made to your administration?” Eisenhower replied: “ Well, if you give me a week I might think of one .” Nixon lost that election.

In 1976, Jimmy Carter picked Walter Mondale as his running mate. In a memo sent to Carter after winning the election, Mondale argued that “[t]he biggest single problem of our recent administrations has been the failure of the President to be exposed to independent analysis not conditioned by what it is thought he wants to hear or often what others want him to hear.” Mondale’s vision for the role of vice president was “to offer impartial advice” so that Carter wouldn’t be “shielded from points of view that [he] should hear.” Carter agreed and subsequently made Mondale an integral part of his inner circle.

Many vice presidents since Mondale have often offered points of view that didn’t align with that of the president. Bill Clinton and Al Gore, for instance, disagreed over the amount of power and influence entrusted to first lady Hillary Clinton; they also disagreed over the handling of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney disagreed , at times, over Iraq, as well as the use and nonuse of presidential pardons .

In contrast, Mike Pence has proved to be a loyal ally to a president who has a track record of being unwilling to listen to dissent.

In the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection , Democrats and even a few Republicans called on Pence to remove Trump from office by invoking the 25th Amendment . Pence ultimately avoided taking such action .

The ‘last voice in the room’

Following Mondale’s model, when Joe Biden agreed to be Barack Obama’s running mate, he said that he wanted to be the “ last man in the room ” whenever important decisions where being made so he could give Obama his unfiltered opinion.

When Biden picked Harris as his running mate, he said he “asked Kamala to be the last voice in the room ,” to “[c]hallenge [his] assumptions if she disagrees,” and to “[a]sk the hard questions.”

[ Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter .]

As Harris begins her trailblazing term as a vice president of many firsts, she has an opportunity to either follow the past as a vice president who is largely ignored, to follow Pence as a deferential foot soldier, or to pick up Mondale’s mantle by making sure that the president isn’t shielded from points of view that he should hear.

• Barack Obama
• Bill Clinton
• Jimmy Carter
• Richard Nixon
• Donald Trump
• Dwight Eisenhower
• Harry Truman
• Dick Cheney
• US Constitution
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt
• Kamala Harris
• Vice Presidency
• Calvin Coolidge
• John F. Kennedy
• Vice President
• President George W. Bush
• Walter Mondale
• Warren Harding
• President Joe Biden

Clinical Trial Manager

PhD Scholarship

Senior Lecturer, HRM or People Analytics

Centre Director, Transformative Media Technologies

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

How to Write a GCSE English Article

Whether your exam board is AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, or CIE, all students studying for their GCSEs need to know how to write an article, just in case it comes up in their GCSE English Language exam. This article will help you achieve top marks, whatever exam board you are following. 

English Senior Content Creator

5 months ago

• 1 . What is the GCSE English Language article?
• 2 . What are the key elements to include in a GCSE English article?
• 3 . How do I structure and write an effective article for my GCSE English exam?
• 4 . What are the best techniques to use in a GCSE English article?

What is the GCSE English Language article?

All English Language GCSE exam boards assess students on reading and writing, but it’s worth noting that there are two types of writing that you might be assessed on at GCSE: fiction or nonfiction. Fiction is writing involving invented or imaginary characters or events, whereas nonfiction is writing that is based on facts and information. So a novel or a play is a fictional text, while articles in a magazine, or a newspaper, are nonfiction texts.

In your GCSE papers , when you are asked to write fiction, this is often called narrative or descriptive writing. However, we are focusing on nonfiction, which is often referred to as writing from a viewpoint, directed writing, argumentation writing task, or persuasive writing. An article is a nonfiction text, and, each of these types of writing will be examined in different exam papers (for example for AQA, fiction is assessed in Paper 1, and nonfiction in Paper 2). For each exam board, the article question will be found in the following part of your exam:

AQA: Paper 2: Question 5

Edexcel: Component 2: Section B

OCR: Component 01: Section B

CIE (IGCSE): Paper 2: Section A

WJEC: Unit 3: Section B

It’s important to note that the nonfiction text you will be asked to write might not be an article, but a speech or letter. See our tips below (on “Form”) for more details on how to distinguish between these three types of nonfiction.

What are the key elements to include in a GCSE English article?

Before I was a teacher, I worked as a journalist, so I always loved teaching my GCSE students the art of article writing. Whenever you write an article, whether that is for a magazine, or a newspaper article, it is important that you consider three things:

It’s really important that you think about your audience before you begin writing your article. In the case of an article, the audience is just the specific readers you’re writing your article for. This will impact how you write your article. If you were writing for an online blog for teenagers, you would use a different tone, different vocabulary and a different level of formality than you would, say, for a magazine aimed at pensioners. Or vice-versa: I’m not sure people over 65 would understand some of the slang teenagers might use in a blog! Using the right type of language for the right audience is known as using the correct register, and getting this right will set you up for the highest marks on your exam.

Because examiners are assessing you on how well you persuade, argue or inform, it’s pretty important that you’re clear what exactly is it that you’re trying to persuade your audience of, or what you are arguing for. So it’s vital that when you’re making a plan (always make a plan when writing an article in an exam!) that you set out very clearly at the top what your viewpoint is. In your article, I would include your standpoint in the very first sentence or two.

Your exam question will often specify what type of article you are supposed to write: it could be a newspaper article (it might even specify what type of newspaper, for example, broadsheet newspaper, or tabloid), a magazine article, or a blog. While in real life the differences between these different types of article are sometimes large (when I worked as a journalist I never wrote the sensationalist headlines that you might find in a tabloid newspaper), when it comes to this piece of writing, you can treat them all more or less the same. Examiners want to see that you are aware of the form of writing you have been asked to complete. So this piece of writing should look different on the page to a letter, or a speech. Here are some great things to include in any GCSE English Language article:

Headings: otherwise known as a “headline”, this is the best way to alert the examiner - right from the start - that you are aware of the correct form of writing

A standfirst: A standfirst is a one-sentence summary of the article as a whole, e.g. “Writing an article at GCSE is challenging but following these tips will get you top marks”

A byline: The name of the author of the article. You can make the name up, and typically it goes right underneath the headline

Subheadings: These are optional, but as some magazines use them, it can be another reminder to the examiner that you’re writing the right kind of nonfiction

How do I structure and write an effective article for my GCSE English exam?

The first thing that I always, always said to my students when they were preparing to sit their GCSE English Language papers was “write less, plan more”. I taught the AQA English Language papers (and, as previously mentioned, teaching the Paper 2 exam was my favourite) for many years, and I always found that the students who knew how to plan an article most effectively did best on the final exam. Hopefully this isn’t new information to you, because I know teachers always harp on about planning, but trust me: examiners (I was one for years) don’t need to see pages and pages of writing to give out full marks: in fact, if the article is too long and not properly structured, it can actually lose marks.

So, how do you actually “write less, plan more”? Well, I always said to students that I would spend up to 30% of my time planning, and I would make sure I had my entire argument figured out before I wrote a single word on the page. This would include the facts and figures I would be using (my “evidence” for my argument), as well as my headline and standfirst. 

What are the best techniques to use in a GCSE English article?

Lots of schools teach different acronyms to help you remember some of the best language techniques to use in a GCSE English Language article. These are different from the acronyms schools teach for the GCSE English Literature exam, but there is often some crossover. A great one I always taught my students was DAFOREST :

D: Direct address: by using pronouns such as “you” and “your”, you inevitably grab the reader’s attention, and involve them directly into your argument

A: Alliteration: often used in fiction writing, alliteration can also be a nice way to show the examiner that your article has been crafted with the reader in mind

F: Facts: remember, you are writing nonfiction, so it’s important to include facts and information (even if these are completely made up)

O: Opinions: nonfiction isn’t just a dry presentation of facts, however. Include your opinion to help create a sense of you as an author. This will also help you be more persuasive

R: Rhetorical questions: another technique that directly involves the audience in your argument

E: Emotive language: try using emotive anecdotes (these can also be invented) to create empathy in your reader

S: Statistics: again, another great way to remind the examiner that you know you’re writing nonfiction (make these up too!)

T: Triple: this is using three adjectives in a list, or three sentences that start with the same words

I do hope this guide has been useful. For more tips, step by step guides (including walkthroughs of each GCSE English Language question) and model answers, please visit the SME GCSE English Language pages.

Sign up for articles sent directly to your inbox

Receive news, articles and guides directly from our team of experts.

Written by Nick Redgrove

Nick is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and King’s College London. He started his career in journalism and publishing, working as an editor on a political magazine and a number of books, before training as an English teacher. After nearly 10 years working in London schools, where he held leadership positions in English departments and within a Sixth Form, he moved on to become an examiner and education consultant. With more than a decade of experience as a tutor, Nick specialises in English, but has also taught Politics, Classical Civilisation and Religious Studies.

Share this article

The examiner written revision resources that improve your grades 2x.

Writing an article

Topic outline.

The purpose of an article is often to inform and persuade the reader. 

Articles give the reader information about a certain topic, bringing together and discussing different perspectives to provide a balanced argument which lets the reader make up their own mind about the topic. 

Articles can also be used to persuade the reader that a certain viewpoint is correct. For example, articles in newspapers or magazines might express a particular viewpoint or perspective; this may be positive or negative depending on the topic. 

The ways you use language and organise your ideas when writing an article will depend on the audience and the purpose you are writing for.

• think about the audience that the article is for – w hen writing an article, you do not usually know your readers personally and so you will need to think about their likely interests and experience before you write
• how you expect, or want, your audience to react – re member that the tone of most articles should be semi-formal, so before deciding on your tone imagine your article being read out loud and how that might sound to your reader. For example, an article reviewing a film may be humorous, even sarcastic, but that would not work well for more serious readers or topics
• the purpose for the article – is th e purpose, or reason, for writing your article to persuade your readers to agree with you or to invite your readers to think about different points of view and decide for themselves? For example, do you need to sound reliable and well informed, or choose words that strongly convey a particular emotion?
• how to keep your readers interest – ima gine how boring it would be for your reader if you used the same kind of sentences and simple repetitive vocabulary all the way through your article. Try to include a range of grammatical structures and relevant vocabulary to make sure that your reader wants to keep reading.
• Plan a route through your article before you start writing it – th e structure of an article is usually in three parts. For example:
• An introduction – engage your reader’s interest and introduce your argument or the main points of the topic to be discussed.
• A middle – develop relevant and interesting points about the topic to interest and/or convince your readers to think about a particular perspective.
• An end – d raw your points together and leave your reader with a clear impression of the argument you want them to believe or the viewpoints you would like them to consider.
• Organise your ideas into paragraphs as appropriate – this will help you to develop and support your points convincingly, to build your argument and/or offer a full explanation of a particular point of view.
• Show your reader at a glance what your article is about – articles usually have a suitable headline to attract their readers’ attention and you can choose to use subheadings (a bit like mini headlines) to help break your article up and move your reader on. Do not overdo these, but well-chosen subheadings can help to catch and keep your reader’s attention, as well as sum up the main points you are making.
• Show the connections between ideas in sentences and paragraphs – for example, where a new point or idea follows on from what you have already said you might use linking words or phrases such as, 'in addition’, ‘likewise’ or ‘similarly’.
• Select activity Example of an article Example of an article

• Select activity Resource Resource

Writing a Book? Going to Therapy Might Help With It

Sitting in front of your own words and confronting the depths of your brain can be incredibly draining.

Writers Are Becoming ‘AI Prompt Engineers,’ a Job Which May or May Not Exist

Freelancers say they’re quitting to become ChatGPT whisperers. But is it a legitimate career path, or just another short-lived gold rush?

A CompSci Student Built an App That Can Detect ChatGPT-Generated Text

“Human writing can be so beautiful. There is beauty in the human prose that computers can never and should never co-opt."

Typing Game 'Inkslinger' Is a Chilling Victorian Horror, and You're the Co-Writer

Less is more in this impressively evocative and experimental Danish text-adventure.

I Tried to Write a Novel Over Lockdown with the Help of Psychedelics

That, plus yoga, concentration apps and the old reliable of never reading the news.

'Spider-Man' Developers Want More People to Know How Games Are Written

A 240-page script book is an attempt to demise one part of the messy, confusing creative process that results in a video game.

I Watch Serena Williams Work Her Ass Off to Do Literally Any of My Own Work

If she can win 23 Grand Slam titles, perhaps I can sit down to write, say, 1,000 words.

I Eat the Same Fast Food Every Day to Manage Anxiety About the Gig Economy

Working in a familiar place and eating familiar, anodyne food gets me through the chaos of life as a freelancer (and life in general).

The Worst Things People Have Been Asked to Do When Applying for a Job

“We were asked to do improv games in a group interview. The job was working in a bar."

Unpacking Our Childhood Obsession with Jacqueline Wilson

“I remember reading Lola Rose for the first time and there’s a whole description of a young mother giving birth. I read it five times over because I couldn’t believe it.”

I Make $1,000 a Week Writing Essays for Lazy Students

Helping kids scam schools has turned into a full-time job for me.

Long Walks Were the Antidote to My Fear of Failure

The meditation of walking in a city is not as internal as that of hiking. You do not lose yourself in the silence; rather, you melt into the physical beat of observation.