Article Writing: Format, Rules, and Examples

Article Writing is a skill that becomes essential for students and they should get familiar with it as far as examination is concerned. Some of the common considerations that students have in writing articles are – what articles are, what articles’ formats are, Article writing rules, and some workout examples at the end.

What is Article writing in English?

An article is an expression of an individual’s thoughts on an issue, or a subject logically written in meaningful paragraphs. An article is a written work published in print or electronic media. It may be for propagating news, researching results, academic analysis, or debate.

Main objectives of article writing

The main objectives of article writing are to change the world by presenting facts, statistics, and views. The objectives of an article may be related to society, general opinions, rising issues, and technical developments.

Article writing format.

The format of an article consists of the following three points: Headline, By-line, and Body. Let us take a look at an article writing format that you need to remember when you are writing down your piece of information. We have collected some example questions about article writing to make students more familiar with the article writing format. 

A. Headline – about which topic or subject of the article is written.

• The heading should be interesting or catchy and in not more than 5 – 6 words.
• The heading must be in accordance with the article.
• The article must describe the main idea of the article.

Ways to Write the Title or Headline of the Article.

Example:

• Type 1: Global Warming – An Alarming Issue
• Type 2: Global Warming – an alarming issue
• Type 3: GLOBAL WARMING – AN ALARMING ISSUE  

B. By-line – who has written the article.

• It refers to the name of the person writing the article.
• The name is generally given in the Question Paper.
• If not given, do not write your name on the answers paper in the Exam; rather write any other name.

C. Body – all the paragraphs regarding the article are written in the body.

Generally, the body of the article consists of 3 – 4 paragraphs.

Paragraph 1

• Begin with a short introduction of the topic, with a precise meaning in the most interesting way.
• Briefly tell what the article is about giving some catchy facts to grab the reader’s attention by putting some questions or quoting some words.

Paragraph 2

A complete analysis of the topic of the article is described including –

• Problem and its types.
• Current scenario.
• Measures are taken to solve the problem.
• Sometimes include advantages and disadvantages.
• Cause and effect relationship by supporting with facts and data.
• Consequences can be included.
• A solution can be provided.

Paragraph 3

• It is the concluding paragraph.
• It is important to conclude what you stated.
• Never leave an article open-ended.
• This paragraph needs to be short and precise.
• Some quotes can be used to conclude.

An example: Article Writing Format

English Composition Resources:

Marking Scheme of an Article Writing.

An article writing comes as 5 marks question. The marks division for article writing format is as follows.

English Article Writing Rules 

We come to know that the article generally, contains 3 or 4 paragraphs, in which the first paragraph will introduce the reader to what the article is going to cover, as well as any background information.

Rules:

• You need to have a few essential formats of article writing.
• Read your article to make sure that you have included as much complete & useful content as possible for your audience.
• The first and most important thing that you should be concerned with is that you are very knowledgeable about the subject that you are going to write about.

Article Writing Tips and Tricks.

The tips and tricks of article writing may consist of two steps –  

The First Step:

• Where is the article going to appear? – in a newspaper or magazine.
• Who are the intended readers? – a specific group such as students or teenagers, or adults in general.
• What is the aim of the article? – to advise, suggest, inform, compare, contrast, describe, etc.

The Second Step:

• Think about the given topic properly.
• Put your thoughts in a proper manner.
• Use simple and lucid language.
• Give a catchy heading to it.
• Begin an article with a catchy sentence.
• Then write the body of the article, relevant to the title, generally within 3-4 paragraphs expressing your thoughts, facts, statistics, consequences, and probable solution in an interesting way.

How to start writing an Article in English

• You will be given a subject (more of a question that needs to be pondered) that you must write about in terms of your views and opinions.
• Break up key points in each of the sections in the outline, so that you stay on track for the piece.
• Before starting to write the article, create a rough draft or an article outline with bullet points and keywords, to avoid missing important information.
• Follow the tips and tricks provided above, this also helps in drafting a cohesive article.

How to Write the Article for the Exam 

While writing the article, a student must remember some things like that

• an article must be short yet comprehensive,
• should be written in an easy-to-understand language,
• the language must be plain and proper, and
• should be interesting and humorous.

Writing a newspaper article

A news article needs to be written without carrying any biased opinions of the writer. If someone is working as a professional working content writer, then he or she would be expected to write articles that are topical. A generic article that may be written for the purposes of school or a newspaper would not be as personal.

Sample of WorkOut Examples of Article Writing

Example 1:

Discipline: A Social Quality

By Amita Sain

Discipline is practicing self-control in the interest of the common good. There are some accepted norms of human behavior. Everybody is expected to observe these norms of conduct when in social surroundings. Discipline is, therefore, a social quality. As a social being man is required to be disciplined at every stage of his life at home, at the educational institution, in the playground, in the office, and in social gatherings.

Unfortunately, the country is now in the grip of rank indiscipline. Indiscipline is strutting everywhere at home, in academic centers, in examination halls, in playgrounds, and in offices. Of late, indiscipline has taken the form of organized hooliganism. An aggrieved party often take the law into their own hand, go on a rampage and assault their opponents. Almost every case of demonstration of discontent ends in frenzied conduct or calling the police to deal with the situation.

As our constitution granted some fundamental rights, some people often misinterpret their democratic right to speak and to do whatever they like. Indeed, the freedom given to the unworthy often degenerates into indiscipline. Population explosion with dismal poverty, unemployment, and frustration sparks off indiscipline. Besides corruption in high places encourages indiscipline in common people. Discipline is the first casualty in the hands of irresponsible politicians. There is a saying, “Indiscipline is the mother of many evils”.

Example 2:

CHILD LABOUR: A CURSE

By Preetam Karan

Child labor is mainly a problem in developing countries including India. While the children of the age group 6-14 should be in their schools, laying the foundation of their life, they are prematurely dragged away to the labor market. thanks to industrialization and the dire poverty of the families of these children. The unscrupulous employers of private industrial units engage child laborers on low wages for more profits. Thus, the exploitation of children is going on.

India has the highest number of child laborers in the world. More than 120 million children are engaged as workers. About 65 million children work for 8-10 hours a day in hotels, brickfields, repair shops, private factories, and as domestic help. Dire poverty at home drives the children, both boys and girls to accept work at a much lower rate of wages. The money earned by the children is the main source of survival for many families.

Social thinkers are crying hoarse for the abolition of child labor. Some people suggest that the working period of the children should be so adjusted that they may attend classes for their education. This is being given a fair trial in Bangladesh. But this will perpetuate child labor in some forms. The Government has sat up and taken notice. We hope concrete plans would be taken to abolish child labor.

Example 3:

PLASTIC BAGS TO BAN

By Shruti Manik

Paper containers have been in use for centuries to carry goods bought and sold in the market. They are usually made of used paper and old newspapers. They are, however, easily destroyed and so cannot be used more than once. Modern technology yielded a more durable quality of paper commonly known as plastic paper. A carry bag made of plastic paper is lighter than common paper, handy, and covers an unbelievably small space when cramped into a lump.

When plastic bags first appeared as carrying bags people lapped up them avidly. Now, there has been a boom in the use of carrying bags. We set a great store by them as they neither decompose nor perish. All types of traders including hawkers, petty vendors, and even fishmongers supply their goods in carrying bags. So, there is a glut of them in every house. Now, it has turned out that plastic bags are both a boon and a curse.

Now it has been a problem to dispose of them as they are not destructible. If they are burnt down, they would create pollution. So, a good number of plastic bags find their way into drains. Now, the drains are getting choked for the carry bags thrown into them. A time is not far off when the rivers would be the ultimate refuge from the huge number of plastic bags and the rivers would be gasping for survival.

Example 4:

VALUE OF TIME

By Neha Basket

Time is a very important factor in the career of a person. So, we all must know to make the proper use of time. This means we must work when the time is ripe. “Drive the nail while the iron is hot”, goes the proverb So life is for work, and not for idling away our time. Those who do not do their work in time are sure to suffer because the time

Students to be taught the value of time The student life is the best period to inculcate () the value of time. Life at school is regulated by a routine that teaches him or her to be punctual in all matters throughout the academic career. Thus, the habit of doing work within a time limit is ingrained within a student. When the student is accustomed to this habit it helps him or her to adjust () the routine of personal life to that of corporate life.

Unfortunately, a great number of people including a section of teachers and officials of our country are lamentably lax in observing punctuality. Time-keeping habit seems to be a part of the national character of the people of Europe. Aldous Huxley wrote in the essay “Time And The Machine’. Regrettably, we are yet to learn the value of time.

Example 5:

MAN AND TREES/AFFORESTATION

By Amiyo Chandi

Since the hoary past man and trees have been the two major creations of Nature. In his prehistoric days, man turned to trees and plants to collect the things vitally necessary for his existence. Since that time man and trees have been interdependent, though man is more indebted to trees. Man’s experiences of the last century have taught him that trees and plants are the key factors to striking a balance in the echo system.

Hunger for agricultural land hunts for timber, and the necessity for cheap fuel caused massive deforestation. The tropical forests, once the nerve center of this planet, covered 15 million sq. km. of the earth’s land surface. A third of it has already been destroyed. About 1,00,000 sq. km. of forest is destroyed every year in the world. About 10.000 species of biodiversity are already lost. So, the Earth Summit of Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, gave us a dangerous signal.

The forests contain a vast gene bank of animal species, and crops, and combating pollution, and to re-fill the depleting oxygen afforestation is a must. We require forest land equal to one-third of the total land area. At present India has about 20% forest land. So, replanting has been taken up in right earnest. Bana-Mahotsav is held every year for replanting in the rainy season.

Example 6:

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

By Suman Jha

The world of animals is indispensable in the ecosystem. But human beings are mercilessly harming animals by way of business and commerce. Some animals like Royal deforestation, environmental pollution, and above all and the rhinoceros are on the verge of extinction.

Even the Bengal tiger, the national animal of India, as well as the lion, amphibians like tortoises have become rare species at present. Wildlife conservation is indubitably the present need, but the concerned authority is callous to this problem Merchants cut off trees and plants in the forests without the least scruple. Their recklessness brings about disaster in wildlife.

The destruction of wildlife threatens the necessary balance in nature. The Government should enforce rules in favor of wildlife conservation. Such conservation needs good administration as well as the consciousness of people.

Although we realize how our world has been losing its ecological balance, we are still not seriously thinking about the problems. Human intelligence makes us destroy our own planet. But still, hope is there because today people show their conscience to some extent regarding wildlife conservation.