ARTICLE WRITING.

An article is a piece of writing that deals with a particular subject that will be published on a newspaper or magazine. It is written almost like a composition, it has an introduction, body and a conclusion.

Articles are magazine and newspaper style essays. As part of your ZIMSEC English Language examination you can be asked to write an article on a chosen topic in Section B of Paper 1. The given topics normally require you to write an informative article for example you can be presented with a topic such as, “Write an article for your school magazine titled, ’Why my school is the best.'”

Whenever presented with such a topic you should take an approach that is not very different from the one you should employ when dealing with argumentative essays although the “correct viewpoint” is this instance is non-optional. For example you cannot choose to say write about why you think your school is not the best.

You have to write supporting the topic and providing probably fictional information to expand and develop the points given in the question for example if the question has points like: High Pass rate, Recent successes in sport etc. you might want to support the first point by saying you school has consistently achieved a 100 % pass rate for the past 5 years and some of your students have received national prizes due to their academic excellence. It does not have to be true, just reasonable, plausible and in support of the given topic.

Format of an article

Headline/Title: Put title of article here. You could use the question as a guide e.g. Why my school is the best.

By/Author: Your Name here. E.g. Given Moyo.

It is always a good thing to provide a summation of your whole approach to the topic. For example you could begin by saying: “Although generally ignored by most in the media probably due to it being located far away from the capital, Achievers Academic Institute is undoubtedly one of the most premier learning institution in this country. In my eyes it is the best school there is.”

Aim to start with a lively interesting first paragraph that will make readers want to continue reading. Your introduction should not exceed 35 words and it has to be a single sentence.

Use a variety of sentence lengths and structures.

It can be a reported speech but you can add or include a few quotations of direct speech.

When quoting, instead of using said you may use the following words, commented, argued, emphasized concluded. Other words you may use are promise, suggest, deduce, stress, remark and announce.

Expand on the given points and fabricate sensible evidence to support them. Take care to arrange them in logical or chronological order and paragraph them accordingly.

Give a sensible conclusion. A rephrase of the introduction will do in most instances. For example you could end by saying: “With all this evidence presented, it is hard to argue with the fact that Achievers Academic Institute is the country’s best learning institution.”

Conclude with a short but a thought provoking or amusing paragraph

Other tips and things to note.

It is always a good idea to write short paragraphs when writing an article. Your paragraphs should be about 4-6 lines in length.

·         No signature is required.

·         Avoid colloquialisms and cliches.

·         Always present your work in a logical manner.

·         Always provide plausible evidence and information when supporting and expanding the points given in the essay question.

·         Avoid giving contradictory evidence.

·         Paragraph your article accordingly, as the notes of this section.

·         Make use of additional discourse makers such as firstly, secondly, thirdly, the other point is, in addition, furthermore, moreover.

·         Make use of illustrations, idioms/ figurative speech and similes.