Make Writing Articles Easier: From the Thesis to the Structure of an Article

Article writing is currently my career. I have developed a few methods to make the whole process easier. These thoughts (not rules, writers have none) can work for both the freelance magazine writer and the online writer.

Consider Your Thesis

Even a general thesis is important. We make the whole article better focused by having a clear thesis. This does not have to sound like a high school paper. We can write our thesis in two sentences, and even three. We just need to note to the reader what to expect. A clear thesis will lead to a sale if we don't watch out. But a boring one like "Thomas Mallory wrote the King Arthur tales, was in jail when he wrote them, and was a underrated man" might bore our readers-even if the article sells. We need to enliven our thesis with the key points. And by having a clear thesis the process of writing will be made easier.

Always have takeaways in mind

Associated Content has takeaways and so do major magazines. If you were to write a religious themed article for Christian Science Monitor, there would have to be clear takeaways. What can the reader learn from all of this? What will make them want to read? Why is this subject important? Those are a few points to be addressed in our takeaway. A strategy would be to have your thesis and takeaways thought our before you write the first paragraph.

Beginnings, middles, and endings

Some writers work from the end of the article, that last line, to the beginning. We can do this anyway we want. We do not have to know how we will write our beginning, middle, or end, but it helps to have an idea of what you will propose. The beginning should set up a question, a middle answer it, and an ending summarize it. All articles need this, but some people seem to just let the article come through them. Whatever works for you is best, but consider your strength.

These strategies have worked for me. They can develop your article in just the right way. We should never forget our thesis because that is what your article should focus on. The takeaways should be as interesting and clear as possible. The structure of the article will need to have the beginning, middle, and end. This all sounds obvious, but writers, in their passions for writing, often forget them. Let this article guide you to avoid such mistakes.