Article writing format: Templates, Examples, Topics

These days, there’s so much to read and discover. Have you observed how authors and bloggers enjoy creating original information on fresh subjects virtually every day? Writers need to exercise more caution while presenting their thoughts in the digital age. It ought to be compiled so that it affects a bigger audience simultaneously. But not everyone is cut out for writing articles; it requires original thought.  Following the article writing format and presenting ideas in an organized manner are important for writers, regardless of whether they wish to pursue courses in content writing or advance in their journalism careers. Let me first explain the fundamentals of article writing before getting into how one should be written.  

What is an article? 

• Definition: An article is a written composition that conveys information, opinions, or insights on a specific topic. 
• Structure: Article writing structure typically consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion, presenting a coherent flow of ideas. 
• Purpose: Articles serve to inform, persuade, or entertain readers, depending on the author’s intent. 
• Genres: Articles can belong to various genres, such as news, features, opinion pieces, or research papers. 
• Medium: Articles can be found in newspapers, magazines, journals, blogs, or online platforms. 
• Characteristics: They often adhere to a formal writing style, providing context and supporting evidence for the presented content. 

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Alt tag: Steps of writing an article  

Types of articles 

I am highlighting the major categories of articles below: 

1) News Articles: 

• Focus on reporting current events and information. 
• Typically found in newspapers, online news sites, and other media outlets. 
• Emphasize clarity, accuracy, and unbiased reporting. You can check any newspaper to read this article writing format example.

2) Feature Articles: 

• Explore in-depth stories, providing background, context, and analysis. 
• Often found in magazines featuring human interest, profiles, or investigative pieces. 
• Aim to engage and entertain while informing the reader. 

3) Opinion Articles: 

• Express the author’s viewpoint on a particular subject. 
• Commonly found in editorial sections of newspapers or opinion-based websites. 
• Encourage discussion and debate on diverse topics. 

4) How-to or Tutorial Articles: 

• Offer step-by-step instructions or guidance on a specific task or skill. 
• Common in online platforms, blogs, and instructional websites. You can find such article writing format samples in these online portals.   
• Focus on providing practical and actionable information. 

5) Research Articles: 

• Present findings from scientific, academic, or scholarly research. 
• Published in academic journals covering experiments, studies, or surveys. 
• Follow a formal structure with methods, results, and conclusions. 

6) Review Articles: 

• Evaluate and critique various products, services, or works. 
• Common in magazines, blogs, or dedicated review platforms. 
• Provide insights to help readers make informed decisions. 

7) Satirical Articles: 

• Use humor, irony, or exaggeration to comment on societal issues. 
• Often found in satirical magazines, online platforms, or comedy shows. 
• Aim to entertain while subtly conveying a critical message. 

8) Personal Essays: 

• Share personal experiences, reflections, or narratives. 
• Common in literary magazines, blogs, or anthologies. 
• Focus on the author’s emotions, thoughts, and unique perspectives. 

Objectives of Article Writing  

Every article has specific objectives. I have listed the various objectives of article writing: 

• Informing Readers: Share clear and helpful information on a particular topic to educate and inform readers. 
• Engagement: Make the article interesting and captivating to keep readers hooked from start to finish. 
• Persuasion: Convince or sway readers by presenting a strong argument or sharing compelling stories. 
• Entertainment: Provide enjoyment through interesting storytelling, humor, or creative expression. 
• Teaching: Help readers learn something new by offering fresh perspectives, facts, or ideas. 
• Connecting with Readers: Build a connection with the audience by addressing their interests, worries, or dreams. 
• Promoting: Showcase products, services, or ideas while keeping the content valuable for the reader. 
• Sharing Expertise: Establish the author as an expert in a specific field, earning trust and respect. 
• Encouraging Action: Motivate readers to take specific actions, like exploring more, participating, or adopting suggested practices. 
• Getting Found Online: Optimize the article for search engines so more people can discover and benefit from the content. You can learn in detail about SEO by enrolling in the Advanced Certificate in Digital Marketing and Communication from MICA. 

Tips for Writing a Good Article  

Source: https://diaryentryformat.com/article-writing-format/ 

1) Create a beginning, middle, and end 

  a) Beginning:

• Start with a captivating introduction to grab readers’ attention. 
• Pose a question, share an anecdote, or present a surprising fact to create intrigue. 

 b) Middle:

• Develop the body with well-organized sections, each addressing a specific aspect. 
• Support your main points with evidence, examples, or anecdotes. 

 c) End:

• Conclude with a strong summary of key points. 
• Offer a call to action, prompt further reflection, or leave readers with a thought-provoking statement for a lasting impact. 

2) Use section headers to arrange ideas  

 a) Organized Structure:

• Employ section headers to categorize and structure your ideas effectively. 
• Clearly label each section to guide readers through the content. 

 b) Improved Readability:

• Enhance the overall readability of your article by breaking it into manageable sections. 
• Readers can quickly navigate and locate specific information of interest. 

 c) Logical Flow:

• Section headers create a logical flow, aiding in the seamless progression of ideas. 
• Ensure each header reflects the content within the section, maintaining clarity and coherence. 

3) Insert a table of contents to guide readers  

 a) Reader Guidance:

• Include a table of contents to provide readers with a roadmap of your article’s structure. 
• This aids in navigating to specific sections, especially in longer content pieces. 

 b) Enhanced Accessibility: 

• A table of contents makes your article more accessible, allowing readers to jump directly to relevant sections. 

 c) Improved User Experience:

• Enhance the overall user experience by offering a quick overview of the topics covered. 
• It facilitates a smoother reading experience, especially in comprehensive and detailed articles.  

4) Format your text to emphasize what’s important 

 a) Use of Bold or Italics:

• Employ formatting options like bold or italics to emphasize keywords or phrases. 
• This draws the reader’s attention to important information. 

 b) Highlighting:

• Utilize highlighting techniques, such as colored text or background shading, to make crucial points stand out. 
• Ensure consistency in your chosen highlighting method for clarity. 

 c) Increased Readability:

• Text formatting enhances overall readability, making it easier for readers to identify and absorb essential information quickly. 

 d) Visual Hierarchy:

• Establish a visual hierarchy by employing larger fonts for headings or subheadings, guiding readers through the content hierarchy. 

5) Draw the eye with lists  

a) Visual Appeal: Lists, whether bulleted or numbered, create visual appeal, breaking up dense text for a more engaging experience.

b) Easy Digestion: Readers find lists easier to digest, enabling them to grasp information quickly.

 c) Clear Organization: Lists provide a clear and organized presentation of information, aiding in comprehension.

 d) Emphasize Points: Use lists to highlight key points, ensuring they capture the reader’s attention.

 e) Reader-Friendly: The visual structure of lists makes content more reader-friendly, contributing to a positive reading experience.

6) Keep sentences and paragraphs short  

 a) Easy to Read: Short sentences make it simple for readers to understand your message.

 b) Quick Grasp: Brief paragraphs help readers grasp information faster without feeling overwhelmed. 

 c) Stay Engaged: Short sentences keep readers engaged, preventing boredom or confusion.

 d) Smooth Reading: Brief paragraphs create a smooth flow, making it easier for readers to follow along.

 e) Looks Nice: Content with short sentences and paragraphs looks neat and approachable, making readers more likely to stick around.

7) Use images and GIFs to explain complicated topics 

 a) Visual Explanation: Images and GIFs provide visual aids to explain complex topics in a more straightforward manner. 

 b) Enhanced Understanding: Visual elements enhance comprehension, especially for intricate concepts that might be challenging to explain through text alone.

 c) Engagement Boost: Readers are more likely to stay engaged when complex topics are supported by relevant images or GIFs.

 d) Break Down Barriers: Visuals break down language barriers, making it easier for a diverse audience to understand the content.

 e) Memorable Content: Content with visuals tends to be more memorable, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

8) Embed videos and podcasts to support readers  

 a) Dynamic Content: Embedding videos and podcasts add dynamic elements to your content, keeping readers eng

 b) Multimodal Learning: Videos and podcasts cater to different learning preferences, accommodating a diverse audience.

 c) Deeper Understanding: These mediums offer a deeper understanding of the topic by providing auditory and visual explanations.

 d) Enhanced Interest: Including multimedia content enhances the overall interest level, making readers more likely to explore and consume the entire article.

 e) Varied Content Experience: Readers benefit from a varied content experience, making the information more accessible and enjoyable.

9) Feature templates, formulas, and graphs when needed  

 a) Structured Information: Templates provide a structured format for presenting information, aiding in clarity.

 b) Data Visualization: Formulas and graphs visually represent data, making complex information more accessible. If you are a techie and want to learn in detail about the usage of templates and graphs, enroll in the Post Graduate Programme in Machine Learning & AI from IIITB.

 c) Enhanced Explanation: Utilizing templates, formulas, and graphs when needed enhances the overall explanation of concepts.

 d) Clarify Relationships: Formulas and graphs help clarify relationships between variables or data points, promoting a better understanding.

 e) Visual Appeal: Including these elements adds substance to the content and contributes to the article’s visual appeal.

10) Keep your article the appropriate length 

 a) Reader Attention: An appropriate length ensures readers stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

 b) Focused Content: Keep the article focused on key points, avoiding unnecessary

 c) Respect for Time: Consider readers’ time constraints and deliver content that respects their time.

 d) Digestible Information: Appropriate length allows for digestible information, preventing readers from losing interest.

 e) Clear Communication: A concise article length ensures clear communication of ideas, making it more impactful for the audience.

Common Mistakes to avoid in article writing 

• Lack of Clarity: Avoid unclear or convoluted writing that confuses readers; strive for straightforward language. 
• Neglecting Proofreading: Skipping proofreading can lead to overlooked errors; always proofread for grammar, spelling, and clarity. 
• Ignoring the Audience: Failing to consider your audience can result in content that doesn’t resonate or meet their needs. 
• Overly Complex Language: Using overly complex language can alienate readers; aim for simplicity without sacrificing substance. 
• Inconsistent Tone: Maintaining a consistent tone throughout is crucial; abrupt shifts can disrupt the flow and confuse readers. 
• Insufficient Research: Inadequate research undermines credibility; ensure your content is well-informed and supported by reliable sources. If you are interested in finance and want to learn all relevant research methodologies, apply for an MBA in International Finance from ACCA. 
• Neglecting Structure: Poor organization diminishes readability; structure your article with a clear beginning, middle, and end. 
• Ignoring Formatting: Neglecting proper formatting can make your article appear unprofessional; use headings, subheadings, and lists for a polished look. 
• Overlooking Engagement: Disregarding reader engagement can lead to dull content; aim for an engaging style, incorporating anecdotes, questions, or interactive elements. 
• Ignoring SEO Principles: Neglecting SEO best practices can limit discoverability; incorporate relevant keywords and metadata for better visibility. 

Conclusion 

Gaining expertise in article writing will advance your career, position you as an authority in your industry, and increase traffic to your blog or website. Gaining professional development and grabbing readers’ attention depend on knowing how to organize and format an interesting piece of writing.  

Having learned how to write an article that both engages readers and is search engine optimized, think about how to expedite the process without compromising on quality.
With the correct tools, you can write articles more quickly and easily while consistently producing high-quality, pertinent, and optimized material.