Hints and Tips for Article Writing

After staring at my monitor for almost an hour, the ideas came flooding in. I thought that I would share a few hints and tips with you, to make things easier.

1. Write about something you are interested in

This may sound simple, but it is much easier to write about a subject you care about. You have more knowledge and passion about a hobby, for example. Knowledge and passion are key ingredients to a good article. Once you start writing, the words will flow.

2. Research

Make sure you research any points that you make, particularly if you are not 100% certain of the facts. Not being sure of your subject matter can make an article flop before you have even started.

3. Don’t worry about word count

Unless you are writing for a specific purpose (for example, college assignment or writing competition) , word count is not important. It is much better to make your point in a clear and concise manner than to ramble on, trying to meet a word count.

4. Write for your target audience

If you are writing an article on a hobby, make it a warm, friendly piece that will encourage others to try out what you are suggesting. On the other hand, if you are writing something factual, consider a more formal stance to your writing. I sometimes find it easier to picture a specific person to aim the article at (for example, a friend, a stranger, a teacher etc.) and write it for them. This helps to set the tone of the article.

5. Spell Check

Always use a spell checker, even if you think you are a great speller. A typo can be very embarrassing in a published article (and could mean the difference between a pass and a fail in a college assignment!)

I hope these tips have helped you. Good luck in your future writing career!