Seven qualities of a well written article

How many people read your articles? Every writer, poet, publicist, reporter, journalist and blogger wants his articles to be read by a greater number of readers. Here is what Sidney Sheldon said in regards to this:

Usually, when people get to the end of a chapter, they close the book and go to sleep. I deliberately write my books so when the reader gets to the end of a chapter, he or she must turn one more page. When people tell me I’ve kept them up all night, I feel like I’ve succeeded! (Sidney Sheldon)

In this article I am going to share with you seven qualities of a well written article, that will make the readers to get to its end, to have an impact on them and to look for other articles written by you.

1. Put a clear title that suits with the content of the article. For many times I see captivating titles and after I have read the article I come to the conclusion that I have been deceived by the author, because he touched another subject than the one that he wrote in the title, or, at the best, the announced title was touched only tangentially. Using this kind of titles, you can make the reader read once one of your article, but you risk to reject him to read any other article of yours in the future. Verify well how the title of the article suits with the content.

2. Define the title so, that it will motivate the reader to read the article. In order to do this, the title must contain at least two of the key words of the article, to be a summary of the main idea or to be defined as a question, so that the content of the article may answer to that question. Don’t use words in your article that the readers don’t understand. Don’t try to put a literary, artistic title. Define a title that is real and captivating for the reader, but at the same time, it must suit with the content fully.

3. Put by the first paragraph to motivate the reader to get to the end of the article. In order to do this, try to give the answer to the basic questions: What subject will be touched? Who are the protagonists, that are the main characters? Why do you touch this subject and why is it important for the reader to know the subject? And very, very important is to present the benefits the reader will have after reading this article. Here is how the first paragraph was made by the Evangelist Luke in the Gospel that has his name:

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses andservants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught (The Gospel of Luke 1:1–4)(NASB)

4. Use words that are understood by everyone. Some authors think that thay will impress the readers more if they use new words, that are less known by the biggest part of the readers. No one must be deceived that the readers carry the Explanatory Dictionary with them in their handbags. When you need to use a new or a less known word, you must necessarily explain the respective term.

5. Finish the started idea. Don’t let unfinished one of the ideas, thoughts, telling, etc. Be sure that you have closed a thought before you begin the other. Put yourself in the place of the reader and see how much you understand from the article and what questions appear to you while reading it. Then, fill up the article with the answer at those questions.

6. Don’t use the pronoun too much. This means writing in this way: “John went to George to tell him that he must come to church, and bring with him his Bible and to bring a Bible to him too, so that he may follow the sermon.” Only this phrase confuses you, but if you have dealing with an article written in that way, what are you going to do? That’s why, don’t use the pronouns too much, but use the words, the names or their synonyms.

7. Avoid unnecessary words and phrases. Before writing an article, it is good to determine the purpose you are going to fulfill. Then, while writing, and especially while editing, try to exclude from the text any unnecessary word or phrase. A qualitative article will have no more than is necessary as size, but it will send a rich sense message to the readers.

May God help you write qualitative articles.

Now I hurry up to the meeting of the students of the “English For a New Life” School where I will preach a biblical message about abstinence and the consequences of the sexual immorality. I invite you to visit our portal tommorow to read the article that will be published on this subject.

Translated by Djugostran Felicia