How to write a good article

If writing isn’t your thing, creating a good article can seem like a challenge. But it doesn’t need to be as hard as you may think, if you stick to a few simple rules that can guide you, whether you are writing from scratch, or starting off with an AI-generated idea. Be it content for a blog, website, or magazine, here are some key tips and tricks to keep in mind to help you write a good original and authentic article.

Research thoroughly

I always say that writing is 80% research. It really is the most important part of the writing process. Research your topic thoroughly before you even begin to write. Take the time to read up on the subject and make sure you understand it. After all, if it’s unclear to you, once you write it, it will also be unclear to your reader. It’s also important to make sure that you cite any sources you use.

Organise your thoughts

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to organise your thoughts. Start by writing down some key points and ideas that you want to include in the article. This will help you to stay focused and ensure that you don’t forget any important information. And just as importantly, use this stage to decide what you don’t want to include from your research as well.

Create an outline

Creating an outline is a great way to ensure that your article is well-structured and has a logical flow of information. Start by creating the sub headers within the article and bookend it all with an introduction and a concluding paragraph. This will help to keep your article organised and make your thought processes easier for the reader to follow.

Write in a conversational tone

When writing an article, it’s important to write in a conversational tone. This will help to make your article more engaging and ensure that readers are more likely to read to the end. Avoid using overly formal language and try to make your article sound like a conversation between two people. The way to make your writing more conversational is to elide words just as you do naturally when you are talking. For example, instead of writing “you are” write “you’re”.

Edit and revise

You can write with abandon, but it’s important to edit your article ruthlessly and revise it to an expected standard before you publish it. When you are happy with it, take a final look to read through your article and make sure that all of your points are clear and that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. This will help to ensure that your article is of a high quality and that it’s easy to read.

Writing a good article doesn’t have to be difficult. Research thoroughly, organise your thoughts, create an outline, write in a conversational tone, and edit and revise your article before publication. With these tips, you have a good checklist to guide you through the article-writing process.