Series on Freelance Article Writing - Part 2

Structuring an Article by Debbie Roome
Welcome to part two of our series on writing articles. This week we will look at how to put an article together.

The Basic Components of an Article
An article needs an introduction, a middle and a conclusion:
· Introduction – this should tell the reader what the article is about ... and capture their attention. Many people decide whether to keep reading based on the first couple of lines of an article. Try and present the topic in an interesting way that raises questions and lays a foundation for the middle of the article
· Middle – this is the place to develop the content. Do this in a logical manner and focus on the chosen topic. Facts should be verifiable and sources cited where appropriate. Quotations add interest to an article and should be included were possible
· Conclusion – once the content has been presented, it is important to summarize the important facts. The ending should pull the article together while allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions

How Long should an Article be
Articles can start from as little as a couple of hundred words and extend to several thousand words. The length should be determined by the publication the article is aimed at.

Where are Articles Published
Articles are published in a variety of publications which can be divided into the following broad categories:
· Newspapers
· Magazines
· Websites
· Advertising material

Come back next week to find out how to lay out your articles and present them to an editor.

Read Part 1 here

Debbie Roome works as a freelance writer from her home in New Zealand. Visit her at Debbie Roome or browse through her blog. Some of her work can be found at Suite 101 , Take Root and Write and Faithwriters.