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FIVE COMMANDMENTS, NO PROFESSIONAL FORGETS:Use Key Words

<< TYPES AND SUBJECTS OF ARTICLE:Interview articles, Utility articles
ARTICLES WRITING MISTAKES:Plagiarising or 'buying articles, Rambling >>
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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
VU
LESSON 39
FIVE COMMANDMENTS, NO PROFESSIONAL FORGETS
Following are the basic commandments, which must not be forgotten by any professional.
1. Make your point and prove it
2. Generalise, but don't use generalities
3. Separate fact from opinion
4. Locate universal images and experiences
5. Entertain
How to successfully write?
Article writing is an excellent way to get your message out, especially if it appeals to your readers
because they expect and enjoy quality articles. Meet their needs and they will come back for more.
Writing your first article can be very challenging for some and not as challenging for others. Whether you
feel challenged or not, you can become a skilled article writer by learning and practicing the following
tips.
1. Mind Map to overcome writer's block
Visualise the three parts of a bicycle wheel - the hub (centre), spokes, and rim. Spokes extend from the
tiny hub at the centre of the wheel and are attached to the rim. When mind-mapping, your subject is the
hub, arrows are the spokes, and the points you make about your subject are the rim.
Use only circles and arrows when mind-mapping. First, put your subject in the hub. Draw an arrow
(spoke) from the hub to the rim. Then draw a circle on the rim and put the first point you will make about
your subject inside that circle. Repeat the process for all the points you intend to make. When finished,
you should have a circle in the centre of circles that are connected by arrows. This is the outline for your
article.
2. Use Key Words
Use words in your title that attract readers and search engines. These words are known as keywords. Do a
Google search to find keyword tracker sites. Follow the instructions on the site. Remember this will select
which keywords to use - the greater the number after the word, the greater the interest.
3. Know Your Niche
What's your passion? What are you interested in? Appeal to readers with the same passion or interests.
Who would know their needs better than you? But there's always a possibility that your readers may have
a different interest. Build a relationship with them through your articles to see what their present needs
are. Then write a message addressing their needs.
4. Write Conversationally
Let your heart speak to the heart of your reader. Your head is your knowledge centre, it wants to be
formal. But your heart is informal; it just makes your points. Easy reading helps your readers know, like
and trust you.
5. Use Quotes, Illustrations, or Case Studies
Give examples your readers can relate to and understand. Stories are an excellent way to make points.
6. Create an Attention Grabbing Title
The importance of titles cannot be over stressed. Your title must capture the interest of your reader or
your article will not be read.
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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
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7. Presentation of Your Message
Your article can be the best on the market, but if it is lumped together, readers won't read it. Just as chefs
make dishes attractive, make your articles attractive. Learn to use short paragraphs, subheads, numbers,
and bullets to add variety to your articles.
8. Rewriting - Blending Your Head and Heart
After pouring out your heart on paper (also known as a heart dump), take a break. No editing is required.
Later, come back and edit your article before submitting it.
9. Final tip
Use an article writing template.
Seven basics to keep in mind
1: Write well
If you are going to spend the time and put for the effort, then make sure you write well. Always use your
computer's spell check. Furthermore, proofread your articles for proper grammar, which is a common
pitfall for many writers.
2: Write often
Beginning writers often struggle with the idea of having writer's block. The truth is writer's block is just a
form of stalling and procrastination to keep you from writing.
3: Keep an idea bank
This is quite possibly your best tool. Yet, many writers don't make it a habit of keeping a running list of
ideas. Compile them in a notebook and carry it with you everywhere, so you'll never miss another idea
again.
4: Write passionately about your topic
If you're going to write, then write whole-heartedly. Your readers will know in an instant if you have no
interest in what you're writing about.
5: Use quick outlines
When you start with a quick outline before you begin writing, you are able to stay focused in your article.
This helps tremendously if you tend to ramble or go off on tangents.
6: Have something important to say
If you're going to write articles, be sure you have something of great value to say. Rambling on for 400-
600 words about nothing in particular will drive your readership crazy and may even turn them off and
cause them to avoid your future articles.
7: Be confident in your writing abilities
All too often, we writers tend to be our own harshest critics. Rather than nit-picking your articles to the
point of desecration, focus on your positive writing traits.
Keep these seven commandments of article writing in mind the next time you write and you'll be just fine.
What you aught to know
There are some basic principles you need to know about writing articles.
1. Consistency is key
If you intend to write articles to submit to article directories for the sole purpose of article marketing, then
you must be consistent. You can't submit a few articles one time and expect to see huge results. Article
marketing requires persistent writing and submitting to the directories.
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2. Clean copy counts
One of the worst mistakes writers make is not proofreading their articles before submitting. It drives
editors crazy to receive articles that are riddled with grammatical and spelling errors. Do a quick spell
check on your computer and proofread your article for proper grammar usage.
3. Passion perfects your message
Whenever you write about a subject, speak passionately about the topic. When a reader can feel the fiery
passion inside you as you write, they can more easily relate to what you're saying.
4. Your resource box is as important as your article
This is the place where you get your two seconds of advertising. Make your resource box fun and
interesting. Compel readers to click to your website for more.
5. No article is complete without a specific call to action
Every article you write should contain a call to action. This usually comes in the resource box at the end
of the article. Provide good information in the body of the article. Define a problem and tell readers how
to solve it. Then give them a reason to click for more at the end.
Write like a professional
Have you been salivating over other writers' articles? Do you wish you could write with the authority and
detail that they do?
1. Capture every idea
For some reason, a lot of writers don't do this, and I can't understand why. If you are a writer, your best
friend should be a notebook and pen. Keep one with you all the time. Every time you have an idea, even if
it seems like a silly one at the time, write it down. This idea bank will be a lifesaver for you many times
over when you get ready to write articles.
2. Determine the main idea for each article before you begin to write
You should never start an article if you don't know where you'll begin or end. This may work okay for
essays, but when you write articles, you need to have a plan.
3. Create a fun headline for your article
Headlines will either grab a reader's attention or bore them. There is no in-between. Start your article off
with a fun, attention-grabbing headline that will make readers want to keep reading.
4. Write in a conversational tone of voice
It's funny because new writers tend to freeze up and start writing with their "head" voice. They use big
words and long sentences. Don't do that! You'll confuse readers and make them walk away and never
come back again. Write in short, straight to the point sentences. Write like you talk.
5. Use bullets and lists
Technology has drastically decreased our attention spans. Use this to your advantage in your articles.
Include bulleted points and quick lists in your articles. This makes your articles easier to read and more
consumable.
6. Write short paragraphs
Again, don't be long-winded. Keep your paragraphs 3-5 sentences long, at the most. Don't cut your
thoughts short, but be mindful of running on and rambling. Be succinct.
7. Proofread and edit your articles
Never submit an article before proofreading and editing it. If you do, you'll probably end up with simple
spelling mistakes and grammatical errors that could have been caught early on.
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8. Be entertaining and interesting
As you write your article, think about how you carry on a normal conversation with someone. Write with
this in mind. Say what you have to say in an interesting way.
9. Loosen up and have fun
Finally, don't be so uptight in your writing that you lose your sense of self. If you write stiff and rigid, that
is exactly how you'll come across to those who read your work. Just have fun with it!
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Table of Contents:
  1. IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE:Feature writing, Explanation of the definition
  2. SOURCES OF MATERIAL:Commemorations, Science and Technology
  3. INTERNET USAGE IN FEATURE WRITING:Be very careful, Website checklist
  4. WHAT MAKES A GOOD FEATURE?:Meeting demands of readers
  5. DEMANDS OF A FEATURE:Entertainment and Interest, Both sides of picture
  6. CONDUCTING AND WRITING OF INTERVIEWS:Kinds of interviews
  7. WRITING NOVELTY INTROS:Punch or astonisher intros, Direct quotation intros
  8. STRUCTURE OF FEATURES:Intro or Lead, Transition, Body
  9. SELECTION OF PICTURES, ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS:Sources
  10. FEATURES AND EDITORIAL POLICY:Slanting or angling feature
  11. HUMAN INTEREST AND FEATURE WRITING:Obtaining facts, Knowing how to write
  12. NEWSPAPER FEATURE STORY:The Business Story, The Medical Story
  13. THE NEWSPAPER FEATURE STORY IDEA:Conflict, Human interest
  14. MAGAZINE FEATURE VERSUS DAILIES:Feature versus Editorial, An overview
  15. WRITING THE SPECIALISED FEATURE STORY:The Deadline Feature Sidebar
  16. MODERN FEATURE AND ITS TREATMENT:Readers’ constraints
  17. MODERN FEATURE WRITING TECHNIQUE:The Blundell Technique
  18. ADVICE TO FEATURE WRITERS:A guide to better writing, Love Writing
  19. COLUMN WRITING:Definition, Various definitions, Why most powerful?
  20. COLUMN WRITING IN MODERN AGE:Diversity of thought, Individuality
  21. ENGLISH AND URDU COLUMNISTS:More of anecdotal, Letting readers know
  22. TYPES OF COLUMNS:Reporting-in-Depth Columns, Gossip Columns
  23. OBJECTIVES AND IMPORTANCE OF COLUMNS:Friendly atmosphere, Analysis
  24. WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIALS AND BASIC POINTS THAT GO IN TO THE FORMING OF A COLUMN?
  25. STYLE:General and a specialised writing, How can a columnist improve it?
  26. GENERAL STYLE OF THE COLUMN:Unified Style, Anecdotal Style, Departmental Style
  27. STRUCTURE OF A COLUMN:Intro or lead, Main body, Conclusion
  28. COLUMN WRITING TIPS:Write with conviction, Purpose, Content
  29. SELECTION OF A TOPIC:Close to your heart, Things keeping in Queue
  30. QUALITIES OF A COLUMN WRITER:Personal, Professional, Highly Educated
  31. WHAT MUST BE PRACTISED BY A COLUMNIST?:Pleasantness, Fluency
  32. SOURCES OF MATERIAL OF COLUMNS:Constant factors, Interview
  33. USEFUL WRITING DEVICES:Be specific, Use Characterisation, Describe scenes
  34. COMMON WRITING PROBLEMS:Eliminate clichés, Don’t misuse words
  35. WRITING THE COLUMN:Certain thumb rules, After writing the column
  36. ARTICLE WRITING:Introduction, Definition, Contents, Main Segments, Main body
  37. HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE?:It is more efficient, It is more believable
  38. TYPES AND SUBJECTS OF ARTICLE:Interview articles, Utility articles
  39. FIVE COMMANDMENTS, NO PROFESSIONAL FORGETS:Use Key Words
  40. ARTICLES WRITING MISTAKES:Plagiarising or 'buying articles, Rambling
  41. WRITING THE ARTICLE:Various parts of article, The topic sentence
  42. What to do when you have written the article?:Writing the first draft
  43. TEN STANDARD ARTICLE FORMATS:The informative articles
  44. LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR WRITERS:Libel, Doctoring Quotes
  45. REVISION:Importance of language, Feature writing, Sources of material