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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

LESSON 42

What to do when you have written the article?

Besides writing the first draft, there are certain steps, which must be actualised, after one has written the

article

What to do?

1. Writing the first draft

One can write the first draft with much ease, but he should not try never to take it casually, as it is the

base on which the rest of the building will be structured. You must make it the best through a natural flow

of the write-up and thought process.

2. Find the point

One of the writer's trip-ups, in getting a story onto paper, is becoming so involved in orchestrating the

wealth of statistics, anecdotes, and quotes he discovers in his research what he overlooks or drifts away

from the story's purpose.

When your research is completed, go over it all with your article's original proposal in front of you. Does

the information you found match what you expected to find? Do you have the kinds of experts you

thought of including in the article. Are your anecdotes and quotes strong enough make the points you

have to make? In short, do the extensive data in your files fulfil the sketchy picture you want to draw?

What is the focal point? Think about it and make it clear at least in your own mind.

May be the writer does not mention it explicitly, and then it must be an under-current of the whole article.

Besides this, the theme should be felt running between the lines.

3. Organise the material

Never miss what you have with you, and keep all the relevant material within your excess. It is better that

it is in your mind, and is in a sequence. One must have a hard copy or notes about the subject with him.

Moreover, you can jot down a formal outline or make notes, but whichever works best for you, you must

begin with an unclouded perspective of exactly how your article's first draft is to be organised. The

perspective may change once you have got your fist draft typed or you may discover that an anecdote fits

better in a different place or leads to a different conclusion than you thought it did. But unless you being

with a plan you will come out with a hodgepodge of long notes instead of the first draft.

4. Chronological order

Your ideas must be developed in the chronological order, besides keeping all of them in an order, as

haphazardly jointed points never impart a good impression. This also brings sequence to the thought,

which the writer is ultimately bringing it on the paper.

5. Point-to-point organisation of material

Always have the sketch of important points in your mind, as it is a must for the writer to have sequence to

the thought as well. Never take it for granted that things will come to your mind automatically, as you

should write these down in a point-to-point organisation. In the end, you must then confirm that you have

exhausted all the ideas.

Some arrangements to be considered are:

· From the general point to its specific aspects

· From the easy concepts to the more difficult ones

· From the least controversial to the most controversial

· From the least complicated to the most complicated

· Fro the theoretical to the practical

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

6. Pick out and write the lead

Think what could be appropriate for the lead, while making it really good and happening. You should

never let it remain loose. To avoid this, the writers use all rules and norms of good leads for the articles

too.

7. Can you state the paradox?

See where the conflict or paradox lies! What are the differences between reality and ideals? Who is not

letting it happen? Point out the reasons for all these besides suggesting ways to resolve the issue.

If you mention the solution, and only talk about the problem, you are also part of the problem.

8. Contrast, anecdote, and comparison

Bring to focus the comparisons and contrasts to a particular situation, while relating the anecdotes, both

national and international. Remember! Contrasts, anecdotes and comparisons enhance clarity.

9. Write the body, using transitions and sub-topic sentences

Moving from lead to body is considered to be difficult, as you have to carry the reader along. One must

use good transition for this. Losing a reader during the transition is always of huge concern for the

writers.

In certain cases, even developing a sub-topic sentence for is a good idea.

10. Write with sub-heads wherever possible

Writing of the Sub-heads is not a very popular idea, but still works under a few circumstances, while

depending upon the kind of write-up. Sub-heads can be helpful to the writer as well, as the writing does

become interesting.

However, it is popularly considered that it hinders smooth reading.

11. End with a bang

Ending must be forceful, and should come quickly, but pragmatically.

Never make it too quick and short that it does not conclude the article.

Conclude the article by focusing on the rules of good conclusions.

12. Harkens back to the lead

Never make the conclusion divorced from the Lead, as it must have at least some reference to the Lead,

even though an implicit one. Explicit reference is not a bad idea even, but it should be connected to the

lead.

13. End on ironic note

Bringing irony can make the conclusion memorable. For this, a writer always has some points in his

mind, and uses them whenever he feels like using it.

14. Re-check with the topic sentence

Important points must be re-checked, and one must follow it as a habit. Also check whether the

connection is being formed or not.

15. Re-read, re-write and re-read

Re-read the read ones and re-writer where-ever required. Then re-read it. Put heart and soul in to it. Give

yourself a break and then work on the above.

16. Ask somebody to do the favour before sending

Some writers find it difficult to re-check on their own, and then they ask somebody to help them out.

Simple rule is that a writer never trusts one eye.

"Work hard on the final document prior to sending to the editor", is the thumb rule!

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