In order to answer this question, one should get acquainted with some basic rules of the art of journalism. The first rule is to have a high command of one's mother tongue as well as proficiency in grammar. The second rule of the writers' workshop is to accept the fact that writing is a several-stage process. We should remember all the stages and keep their order. In press journalism five such stages are distinguished:
1. Subject definition
2. Collecting materials (reporting)
3. Fact analysis and text planning
4. Composing the draft version
5. Editing and refining
Let us now take a closer look at particular stages.
Subject definition - the idea
This is the first step we begin our work with. Depending on the magazine you work for, this might be a political event e.g. a visit of the president in Moscow, a social one, e.g. the issue of unemployment in Warminsko ' Mazurskie Province, or scientific, like producing a map of the human genome. You may also bring up your own idea of the subject which has intrigued you this morning, for instance, depression. Let's assume that this is the subject for your article. If the journalist presiding over the editorial meeting picks up the subject, he will certainly give you some hints e.g. what experts you should ask for a brief opinion, or, if the story about a person suffering from depression should be featured in the article. Obviously, nobody will answer all your questions. It is you who should have a concept of your own work and know what you would like to include there, or rather what the reader would like to find out about. The chief editor may discuss the subject with you and emphasise certain issues, but the rest belongs to you. Now that we have got the subject, we start working and move to the second stage.
Collecting materials (reporting)
Reach the people who may present the topic you want to deal with from different points of view. So if we stick to the subject chosen, one should ask at least one specialist (e.g. a doctor) for opinion, talk, for example, to famous people who were or are suffering from depression. You may also see the manager of a therapeutic centre where people who plunged into depression are being treated, instead. There are many possibilities. Moreover, one should collect as much material as possible that will be useful or even necessary in describing the phenomenon. You will need statistical data, the description of symptoms and various types of the illness. Remember that you have to collect as much information as you can in order to have enough materials to choose from.
Fact analysis and text planning
Once you have collected all the necessary materials, you have to analyse them carefully. Decide which statements you may use in the lead article, which can be partly used, and which you will leave out. Make sure you've asked about everything. Remember two rules for making selection: which facts are crucial? and what questions may come to the reader's mind, the answer to which he would like to find in your text. When making a plan you may prepare a draft copy ' similar to an outline. You may also list the facts and number them in the order of importance.
The draft version
What should you start with? Write anything. What you have already written is not irreversible! If it's not good enough, you can delete the text and start all over again. Surely, if you have enough time to work on the text, you may even start five more times. Try to write as if you were telling a story, however do not use colloquial expressions typical for spoken language. When the rough draft is ready, put it aside at least for a while ' take up something else in order to gain a fresh look and become more critical when you come back to it. It will be easier for you then to correct it.
Editing and refining
A text is not perfect from the start. After you have laid it aside for some time, you may set about correcting it. Make sure the text is not packed with too many adjectives and adverbs,which do not enhance the argumentation, but rather indicate the uncertainty of the author. Check if your sentences are not too complex and complicated, they should be clear. Do not use too sophisticated words and explain the terms the reader might not understand. Avoid beating about the bush, that is, wordiness. Delete all the irrelevant fragments to make the text readable and succinct. When you set about refining the text, always read it aloud, then you will spot all the errors more easily.
Copyright (c) 2008 Adam Nowak
Most webmasters, whether they are experienced or not, know the importance of promoting your website with articles. Unfortunately, many beginners do not realize the importance of a well-written article. Of course you can throw some words together and name your slop something but most article directories will reject it and who would read it anyway? As a professional ghostwriter, Webmaster and owner of three article directories, I see the type of articles that people submit and I will tell you, it is discouraging.
Before you even start your article, keep in mind that optimization wins the search engine rankings whether in an article or in your actual website. Quality key word optimized articles are very important. With this in mind, follow these steps to write your first quality key word optimized article to promote your website.
Come up with one main keyword or keyword phrase and one secondary. You will integrate these keywords into your article for optimization. These keywords do not have to be exactly the same every time. Your keyword could be ,white Nike shoes, if you use the phrase ,my white shoes are Nikes, or something similar it will be just as advantageous. For a 400-word article, I recommend using your main keyword or variation of it about 6 times. If possible try to put your main keyword into your title.
Write a description. This can be anywhere from one sentence to one large paragraph. The description will be the first thing people read so try to make it catchy. Many webmasters just write the full article and use the first paragraph as their description. Most directories will deny an article that has the same description as the first paragraph of the article. If you decide not to write a description and you just use the first paragraph, be sure not to include the first paragraph in the actual article body. That brings up to the next step.
Writing the body. There are a few things you absolutely must know you are to be successful promoting your website with articles. One of the main reasons I reject articles in my directories is for no spaces between paragraphs. If cannot stress this enough. You must have a space between each paragraph. Next, you never indent your paragraphs. We are not writing letters in school. When writing an article to promote your site, do not indent anything. Next, grammar, you do not have to have a degree in English to write an article that looks good. Most people misspell words on occasion. If you can write an article that portrays a knowledgeable person then you are on your way to success.
Writing the resource box, A.K.A. authors area. Writing a quality, key word optimized article that people will love to read will not do you any good without a link to your site. The resource box gives you the opportunity to tell your readers about you and your website. You can just put a standard link to your site in this area but search engines put your link text into consideration so it is always better to use html if the directory accepts it and use the main keyword for your site as the link text. The last thing you need to know about the resource box is that overdoing it could cause negative results. When a publisher browses through articles to post on his or her website, blog, newsletter or e-zine among many other things they are looking at the number of outgoing links in the resources box. Keep the number of outgoing links in your resource box to a minimum of two or less for best results.
The quicker you understand the information in this article and put it to use, the quicker your website will achieve top search engine ratings. Be creative, be informational and you will enjoy a lifetime of success.
Both Adam Nowak & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Adam Nowak has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Iphone Reviews and Internet Marketing. This article was translated by mLingua Worldwide Translations, Ltd. mLingua provides in all major Western and Asian languages, software. Adam Nowak's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
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