Are you also confused and tensed about writing an effective article? Do you also want to write an effective article? If so, here are a few tips for you to write effectively. If you read the content with full concentration, then, you will be another excellent writer for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Every Article Has The Following Components.
TITLE
Always give the article a title, and underline it. Make it interesting. From the very beginning, show the examiner that you know exactly what you are doing. Try to think of an effective, interesting title. Compare the two following titles:
How to Prepare for Exams
Exam Nerves Cure
From these titles, which article would you prefer to read?
The second title looks more interesting. Perhaps you have exam nerves (most students do, although not many of them admit this in public), and it is nice to know you are not alone. It is always interesting and reassuring to find people who are in the same situation and how they are dealing with it. Could there be something to calm you down in this article? Is there really a cure for exam nerves? Clearly, there is more chance of the reader being attracted to an article with the second title. This means the second title is more effective. (It is interesting to note, however, that both articles could contain almost the same ideas!)
Unfortunately, good titles do not always jump into your mind just when you need them. You will find, though, that with practice, titles will come to you more easily than you may think. Read as many English papers or magazines as possible and take note of the titles. Look at some more titles and why they are successful.
TV: The Teenager’s Viewpoint
This is interesting because the letters ‘T’ and ‘V’ have been used as an abbreviation for television and then repeated in the extended title.
TV- A Teenage View
This is another variation of the same technique.
INTRODUCTION
An effective introduction often starts with a question to involve the reader and encourage him to continue reading. Look at some examples and why they are successful.
Are you one of the many students with exam nerves?
The use of the word you makes this personal, and the reader automatically relates to himself.
The use of the phrase one of the many suggests that the reader is not alone and gives a feeling of belong and familiarity.
Are you a secret TV addict?
The question gives no indication of the content of the article. The article could be about:
Informing the reader about the dangers of watching too much TV
Informing the reader about the educational benefits of watching TV
Warning readers that too much time in front of the TV screen will affect their schoolwork/exam grades
Suggesting readers spend their time on more useful hobbies such as sport and reading
Creating interest in this way makes the reader want to read on to find out what the article is about.
Are you a self couched potato?
Are you so busy working that you have no time for sport?
Do you long to finish your homework quickly so you can collapse in front of the TV screen?
Are you fed up with all the arguments you have heard against television?
Are you dreading the thought of the long, boring holidays?
Introductions using questions are often followed by a transition sentence, which acts as a link between the introduction and the ody of the article by preparing the reader for what the article is about. If the topic is of a serious nature, it also marks the beginning of the formal language. Here are some introductions from magazine articles, using the question technique. The transition sentences are underlined.
Look, no stress!! Don’t we all wish we could say this every day of our lives – and mean it? Nowadays stress seems to be the one word that’s on everybody’s mind. (An article on stress)
Looking dull and stressed? Well, don’t worry. You need not spend the entire in the bathroom. (An article on health and beauty)
Want to experience the joys of the countryside? There’s nothing to beat a canal holiday to take you closer to nature. (An article about canal holidays)
What does the term ‘working woman’ evoke? Are women’s attitudes changing? Is feminism outdated? Two studies highlight the issues at stake and the changing role of today’s women. (An article about the two studies and their content)
There is no law that prohibits driving while fatigued, but should we take the risk? (An article on road safety)
BODY
Before you begin
The basic ideas for a serious (formal) or a light-hearted (informal) article will be the same, but will need to be adapted to the question according to register.
Types of School Magazine Article Questions
There are several types of school magazine questions you may be asked to answer in the exam, including the following:
Giving your view or opinion/putting forward arguments for and against
Dealing with problems and solutions
Giving advice/making suggestions
Narrative – sometimes referred to in the question as an account
Let’s look at each type of article in detail.
Giving your view or opinion/putting forward arguments for and against
Clearly, the instruction words are the same as those used for formal writing and the topics will often be of an apparently serious nature. This type of question involves ‘sandwiching’ a formal body between an informal introduction and ending. Look at the kind of question that has or could come up:
· The effects of modern science
· The effect of cars on the environment
· Single sex schools
· Tourism
· Compulsory competitive team sports at school
· The importance of appearance
Let’s look at a question based on a past exam paper.
Write an article for your school magazine about the effects of tourism on your country, putting forward your ideas and arguments.
For the body of this type of article, begin by writing the first three paragraphs of a views and arguments composition.
First Paragraph
General introduction explaining the importance of the subject. Make sure you include the following:
Time fixers
Nowadays/these days/recently/until now/ in the past/ twenty years ago/ in the last five years
Generalisations
Nearly all/ many/ a large number of/ several
Second Paragraph
Put forward one side of the issure being argued: for example, the argument in favour. Make sure you include the following:
Views and arguments phrases
One of the main arguments in favour of……….is that
Some people (would) argue that ……..
It is a fact that …………
Joining points – addition
Furthermore, / Moreover,/ What is more,/ Besides,
Support phrases
Which/this/which means that/ this means that/ as a result/ consequently
Third Paragraph
Put forward the other side of the issue being argued; for example, the argument against. Make sure you include the following:
Joining points – contrast
On the other hand, / However, / Nevertheless,
Views and arguments phrases
One of the main arguments against ……..is that
It can be argued that…….
It has been said that…….
Joining points – addition
Furthermore, / Moreover, / What is more, / Besides,
Support phrases
Which/this/which means that/this means that/as a result/consequently
From composition to school magazine article
To turn a views and arguments into a school magazine article, follow the three steps below.
Add the magazine article introduction without a clear explanation of the topic (to get the reader’s attention).
Have you ever been a tourist? Did you consider yourself a menace?
At the end of the introductory paragraph, insert the transition sentence to prepare the reader for what is to come.
Do we really want to be flooded with tourists?
Perhaps it’s time we stopped to consider the negative aspects of tourism.
After the formal controversy paragraph, write a magazine article ending.
Next time you go abroad remember to behave the way you would like to see tourist behave here.
ENDING
A school magazine article ending should be fairly short and use the same personal style and register as the introduction and transition.
The purpose of the ending could be:
§ To summarize the article
§ To express your own opinion
§ To leave the reader with something to think about
If the topic of the article can be treated in a light-hearted way, then the style and register will be the same throughout.
If the topic (and, therefore, the body) of the article is serious (and, therefore, formal and impersonal), the ending will be in a contrasting style, similar to the introduction and transition, and linking to them. The ending will be direct and personal and will try to involve the reader again.
E.g.:
· Next time you go abroad remember to behave the way you would like to see tourists behave here.
· So, when you do actually get behind you own steering wheel, remember to consider the environment. Happy driving!
· If you take some of this advice, you might actually be going into the exam with a smile of your face!
NOW, JUST STARTING YOUR ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!!!! WRITING ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!
