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HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE?:It is more efficient, It is more believable

<< ARTICLE WRITING:Introduction, Definition, Contents, Main Segments, Main body
TYPES AND SUBJECTS OF ARTICLE:Interview articles, Utility articles >>
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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
VU
LESSON 37
HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE?
A good article must entertain, which is dished out from a service of catchy facts, figures and formulations,
and the fact should be not only accurate, but also plentiful. There should always be rule that collect
always more information than we think we are going to use; so you choose the best and the most apropos
in making the points.
Following must be kept in mind prior to writing an article:
·  Research, research, research
·  The library
·  The reference collection
·  Periodicals
·  Indexes and abstracts
·  How to locate and work with primary-source people
Research, research, research
There are at least four practical reasons why writers should stick to dependable sources and keep track of
what they are:
1. A fact is only good as its source
The basic idea is proving your point or assertion through a fact, while never letting your mere thought
become an argument through the tangible basis of the fact. Moreover, the source and fact go side by side,
and both are given equal weight age as fact sans solid source lacks credibility. Hence both facts and
sources must be credible because correct facts, but dubious sources create no impression.
2. It is more efficient
Researching for material and information have no comparison or equivalent, and one must be looking for
more and concrete information. On the other hand, the research gives news horizons to your thought ­
From language to the enrichment of the ideas ­ and one must be working towards enriching your
document through more reading, and usage of divergent sources.
3. It is more believable
Talking with proofs makes it more believable, while references to the sources confirm what you say, as
people tend to believe easily. A journalist never creates a make belief environment because he uses
sources besides doing research on the topic. Moreover, a writer's name becomes credible when he is
using recognisable sources of information.
Secondly, if the source of the fact is authoritative, its mention lends credibility.
4. It is safer
Having a credible source, and conducting research makes it easy to believe, and safer for the writer to be
certain about his facts. It is always recommended that one must be never losing contact with the basic
source of information, while always letting oneself stay beyond doubt.
There are five reliability checks against which you can measure the facts you research. At least one of
them can be used to assess every piece of information you encounter.
1. Accuracy
If one has seen an event happen and reported it carefully, he and his readers assume, the journalist has
also reported it accurately. A writes always adds accuracy to the write-up through facts, which are
correctly mentioned, and in turn, his readers never doubt facts mentioned. Accuracy of facts is the key to
a successful writer
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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
VU
2. Authenticity
Not to be confused with accuracy, authenticity is what you get automatically from a primary source. It
comes from the horse's mouth ­ the logical, natural origin for the chosen information. If you cannot
confirm your data, you be careful to present them as authentic statements and not verified facts.
Research brings authenticity to the write-up when the facts are rightly and correctly placed.
3. Credibility
The source's way of telling his facts and backing them up or his proven track record, may lead you to the
subjective conclusions that the source is credible and his facts can be believed. That is who to present the
information to the readers.
Credibility of a writer is because of authenticity of facts, which are confirmed through research, as it is
the basic agenda behind every write-up. Nothing is done better, if the idea not properly investigated and
facts not confirmed.
4. Plausibility
You may conclude that, subjectively, the fact makes sense to you and presumably to other people. That is
how you will write it ­ not as verified fact but as plausible consideration.
5. Corroboration
Corroborate means to add proof or certainty to an account, statement or an idea with new information.
Without corroboration, it will be difficult to prove the statement to be correct. Have facts and figures,
comments, eyewitness account etc to prove your point, and never leave assertions sans corroborating
them with facts.
You may obtain information from a separate, also believable source that substantiates the first source's
fact. Then you will have objectively demonstrated, if not the accuracy, at least the honesty of your source.
In reporting the fact you will probably tell the reader of the corroboration, although that is not always
necessary.
The library
The library is the major depository of the secondary sources, and a useful lead to primary data as well.
1. Information through libraries/The librarian
Libraries are still the best sources of information where one can find books, magazines and journals, both
national and international. Books are available on different subjects, and one can always consult them for
historical perspective or at least a literary point of view.
All the above add to getting concrete information, as books and general interest magazines articles can be
useful for providing an overview of the subject one is researching, especially if one is not familiar with in
depth.
Also tell the librarian precisely what you need.
2. Using the available information
Exploit sources available to you at the first option, and look for more after this while using all possible
options ­ from primary to secondary to tertiary.
Never take anything for granted and consider it as if confirmed besides taking into consideration what is
useless to others, as one must be looking at all the possible angles.
3. The reference collection
One's references should be known to him, and must be readily available whenever required to revert
back. The writers must mention the reference when quizzed by someone about the reference. He must
also keep the references both in his mind, and in record, for the future usage.
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Feature and Column Writing ­ MCM 514
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4. Periodicals
Magazine and journals have long shelf life, and their content is usually well-researched and aptly
described with facts and figures. In this sense, the research journals take lead over the magazines. There is
always quality, and the writer must look for that, while never compromising on less known sources.
5. Indexes and abstracts
Index is a collection of information stored on a computer or on a set of cards, but in alphabetical order.
Prefer your own abstracts for future use, as briefs and specifics go a long way for a writer, who must
prefer such indexes and abstracts, which can impart information within shortest possible time.
6. Search services
Searches should be readily available to you whenever required, and never let them pass to oblivion, and
keep those intact. Constant connection keeps you attached to such services.
7. Inter-library loans
Request for books from other libraries, and one can request the librarian. You must get to know the
people around, and arrange books for your subject.
8. College libraries
Our college libraries are the least explored, and good books are rarely read. It is always better for you to
go to your college or any other college. You are certain of getting the required information.
9. Newspapers
Keeping an update about the changing circumstances, and for this, the newspapers are still the best source
of information, while television comes next to this. Use newspapers and related products as a primary
source, while reading and browsing newspapers daily. It is also recommended that one must be going
through magazines also.
10. Journal articles
Journals, especially foreign, still a better source of information though there can be problems about the
proximity, and finding them.
Read and understand the conditions when and where the article was written, and then apply that on your
situation, as it is said that one must never apply foreign theories until relevant to your situation.
Moreover, the contextualisation of the concepts should be done.
11. Sources from previous articles
Get track of the subject through articles published in newspapers, magazines and journals, which are
usually available in more one language. Besides specificities, these also add to the general knowledge.
One can keep cuttings of the articles if relevant to the subject or area of interest.
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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