Crafting Compelling Articles: Techniques and Strategies for Effective Writing

Subject : English Grammar

Class : SS 2

Term : Third Term

Week :Week 3

Topic

Writing: Article Writing 

Objectives:

• To understand the key features of article writing
• To learn the steps involved in writing an effective article
• To practice writing articles using different formats

Materials:

• Whiteboard and markers
• Handouts with sample articles
• Computers or tablets with internet access
• Writing prompts for practice activities

Content  

Definition, Features, Sample Question,Outline

An article is a type of writing that is meant to be published in a school magazines, a newspaper or a journal.

Article writing is a type of writing that involves crafting a piece of written content that presents information, news, or opinions on a particular topic. Articles can be written for different purposes and audiences, such as informative, persuasive, or entertainment. Here are some examples of how to write an article:

1. Informative article: An informative article provides readers with factual information on a particular subject. For example, if you were writing an article about the importance of exercise, you would provide readers with statistics, research, and expert opinions to back up your claims. You could also include tips on how to incorporate exercise into daily routines.
2. Persuasive article: A persuasive article aims to convince readers to take a particular action or adopt a particular viewpoint. For example, if you were writing an article about why everyone should recycle, you would need to present compelling arguments and evidence to persuade readers to recycle. You could also include practical tips on how to recycle effectively.
3. Entertainment article: An entertainment article is meant to entertain readers and capture their interest. For example, if you were writing an article about the latest celebrity gossip, you would need to provide juicy details and interesting anecdotes to keep readers engaged. You could also include quotes from celebrities or insights into their personal lives.

When writing an article, it’s important to consider your audience and purpose. You should also have a clear structure and include an introduction, body, and conclusion. Lastly, make sure to proofread and edit your work for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Basic Features

1. It must have a heading
2. It must have an introductory paragraph
3. Its body should contain at least three well development paragraphs which should serve as the content of the writing. When added to the introductory and concluding paragraphs, the writing should not be less than five paragraphs. But it can be more
4. It must contain a concluding paragraph
5. Write your full name and your class, school, town or city as the situation may require.  

Evaluation

1. What is the purpose of an informative article? A) To persuade readers to take a particular action B) To entertain readers C) To provide factual information on a particular subject D) None of the above
2. Which type of article aims to convince readers to adopt a particular viewpoint? A) Informative article B) Persuasive article C) Entertainment article D) None of the above
3. What should you consider when writing an article? A) Audience and purpose B) Tone and style C) Word count D) All of the above
4. Which section of an article should provide the main points and details of the topic? A) Introduction B) Body C) Conclusion D) None of the above
5. What should you include in the conclusion of an article? A) A summary of the main points B) A call to action C) A thought-provoking statement D) All of the above
6. What is the purpose of a persuasive article? A) To entertain readers B) To provide factual information on a particular subject C) To persuade readers to take a particular action or adopt a particular viewpoint D) None of the above
7. What is the purpose of an entertainment article? A) To entertain readers and capture their interest B) To provide factual information on a particular subject C) To persuade readers to take a particular action D) None of the above
8. Which section of an article should provide an overview of the topic and grab the reader’s attention? A) Introduction B) Body C) Conclusion D) None of the above
9. What should you do after writing an article? A) Proofread and edit for errors B) Publish immediately C) Share with friends and family D) None of the above
10. What is the importance of considering your audience when writing an article? A) To ensure your article is engaging and relevant to your readers B) To make sure your article meets the required word count C) To add more facts and statistics to your article D) None of the above

A listicle is a type of article that presents information in a list format, usually with a catchy title and brief descriptions or explanations for each item on the list. Here are some key features and an outline for writing a listicle:

Features:

1. Catchy title: The title of the listicle should be attention-grabbing and give readers a clear idea of what the article is about.
2. Numbered list: The items in the list should be numbered, which makes the article easier to read and follow.
3. Brief descriptions: Each item on the list should have a brief description or explanation that is concise and easy to understand.
4. Visual aids: Listicles can be enhanced with the use of visual aids such as images, videos, or infographics to make the content more engaging.

Outline:

1. Introduction: Start with an attention-grabbing headline that clearly conveys the topic of the listicle. In the introduction, provide a brief overview of what the listicle is about and why it is relevant to the reader.
2. Body: The body of the listicle should contain the numbered list of items, with each item having a brief description or explanation. The items should be arranged in a logical order, such as in order of importance, chronological order, or alphabetical order.
3. Visual aids: Enhance the listicle with visual aids such as images, videos, or infographics. Visual aids can help break up the text and make the article more engaging.
4. Conclusion: End the listicle with a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the article and emphasizes the importance of the topic. You could also include a call to action to encourage readers to take further steps or learn more about the topic.

Overall, listicles are a popular and effective way to present information in a format that is easy to read and understand. By following these key features and outline, you can create a successful listicle that engages your readers and effectively conveys your message.

Some features of article writing when it comes to listicles:

1. Catchy headline: The headline is one of the most important features of a listicle article. It should be catchy, creative, and informative enough to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to read on.
2. Numbered list: Listicles are characterized by a numbered list format, where each item is presented in a numbered format. This helps readers understand the structure of the article and makes it easier to read.
3. Short paragraphs: Listicles should have short paragraphs that are easy to read and digest. This helps to break up the content and make it more manageable for readers.
4. Concise and informative: Listicles are meant to be informative and helpful to readers. They should provide concise and useful information that is relevant to the topic and helpful for the reader.
5. Use of subheadings: Subheadings can be used to break up the list into smaller sections, making it easier for the reader to follow along and understand the content.
6. Visual aids: Listicles often make use of visual aids such as images, videos, or infographics to help illustrate the points being made in the article.
7. Clear conclusion: Like any article, a listicle should have a clear conclusion that summarizes the main points of the article and provides a call to action or takeaway for the reader.

Overall, the key features of a listicle article are a catchy headline, a numbered list format, short paragraphs, informative content, subheadings, visual aids, and a clear conclusion. By following these features, you can create an engaging and informative listicle article that your readers will love

Outline: Women in Politics 

Here’s a sample outline on “Women in Politics”:

1. Introduction:

• Brief explanation of the topic
• Importance of women in politics
• Thesis statement

2. Historical perspective:

• Brief overview of the history of women in politics
• Examples of women who have made a significant impact in politics
• Challenges faced by women in politics historically

3. Current situation:

• Current status of women in politics
• Statistics on the representation of women in politics
• Analysis of the progress made in recent years

4. Barriers to entry:

• Challenges faced by women in entering politics
• Analysis of the cultural and social barriers that women face
• Discussion of strategies for breaking down these barriers

5. Impact of women in politics:

• Discussion of the impact of women in politics on policy and legislation
• Examples of legislation that has been influenced by women in politics
• Analysis of the benefits of having more women in politics

6. Conclusion:

• Summary of the main points of the article
• Importance of encouraging more women to enter politics
• Call to action for readers to get involved in supporting women in politics.

This outline provides a basic structure for an article on “Women in Politics”. It covers a range of topics, from the historical perspective of women in politics to the current situation and barriers to entry, as well as the impact of women in politics. With this outline, a writer can create a well-structured and informative article on this important topic

• Topic/Heading 

• Introduction: Men have dominated the political space for long 

• The effects of men’s domination 

• The need for women’s involvement (equality, less corruption, compassionate, talent use, example from other countries)

• Conclusion: challenge the audience 

Here’s an outline of how to write a listicle article:

1. Introduction: Start with a catchy and informative headline that summarizes the topic of the listicle. In the introduction, provide a brief overview of the topic and what readers can expect to learn from the article.
2. Numbered list: The heart of a listicle is the numbered list of items. Each item should be numbered and presented in a concise and informative manner. Use subheadings to divide the list into sections and make it easier to read.
3. Visual aids: Enhance your listicle with visual aids such as images, videos, or infographics. These can help break up the text and make the article more engaging.
4. Conclusion: End the listicle with a clear and concise conclusion that summarizes the main points of the article. Provide a call to action or takeaway for the reader to encourage further engagement with the topic.

Here’s a more detailed outline of each section:

1. Introduction:

• Catchy and informative headline
• Brief overview of the topic
• What readers can expect to learn from the article

2. Numbered list:

• Numbered list of items
• Concise and informative descriptions for each item
• Use of subheadings to break up the list into sections

3. Visual aids:

• Use of visual aids such as images, videos, or infographics to enhance the listicle
• Captions or descriptions for each visual aid

4. Conclusion:

• Clear and concise summary of the main points of the article
• Call to action or takeaway for the reader
• Encouragement for further engagement with the topic

By following this outline, you can create a well-structured and engaging listicle article that is easy to read and understand.

EVALUATION 

Write an essay on the outlined topic above 

 

READING ASSIGNMENT

1. 39 – 42, Countdown English

 

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. Give three rules of changing an active voice to a passive one. 
2. Write out the types of prefixes we have and what they mean. 

 

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. Which of the following is a key feature of listicle articles? A) Long paragraphs B) Use of complex language C) Numbered list format D) Lack of visual aids

Answer: C) Numbered list format

2. What is the purpose of the introduction in an article? A) To provide a summary of the main points B) To introduce the author’s opinion C) To provide background information D) To list the sources used in the article

Answer: C) To provide background information

3. What is the purpose of subheadings in an article? A) To provide a list of sources B) To break up the content into smaller sections C) To provide a summary of the main points D) To introduce the author’s opinion

Answer: B) To break up the content into smaller sections

4. What is the role of visual aids in an article? A) To make the article longer B) To enhance the reader’s understanding C) To provide a summary of the main points D) To provide background information

Answer: B) To enhance the reader’s understanding

5. What is the purpose of the conclusion in an article? A) To introduce the author’s opinion B) To provide background information C) To summarize the main points D) To list the sources used in the article

Answer: C) To summarize the main points

6. What is a byline in an article? A) A list of sources used in the article B) A summary of the main points C) The author’s name and credentials D) The introduction to the article

Answer: C) The author’s name and credentials

7. What is the main purpose of an opinion article? A) To provide a summary of the main points B) To list the sources used in the article C) To present the author’s opinion on a topic D) To provide background information

Answer: C) To present the author’s opinion on a topic

8. What is the difference between a news article and a feature article? A) News articles are longer B) News articles are more opinionated C) News articles report on current events D) Feature articles are more objective

Answer: C) News articles report on current events

9. What is the purpose of a headline in an article? A) To list the sources used in the article B) To introduce the author’s opinion C) To provide a summary of the main points D) To grab the reader’s attention

Answer: D) To grab the reader’s attention

10. What is the role of the writer in an article? A) To present both sides of an argument B) To provide an objective analysis C) To present the author’s opinion D) To list the sources used in the article

Answer: B) To provide an objective analysis.

SECTION A

Choose the correct options

1. You will need to commit the formula ——memory (a) to (b) by (c) on  (d) in  
2. We came ____ rail  (a)  on    (b)  with   (c) by    (d)  in
3. How did you arrive at ____ unholy hour? 

    (a) that a     (b) such an        (c) an such     (d) the such

4. Jide was absent for __ of the meeting  

    (a)    plenty          (b) many      (c)  much      (d) many of

5. Emily enjoys ___ soccer (a)  to play    (b)  play    (c) playing   (d) to be playing

 

SECTION B

Test for Continuous Assessment, No B, pg 212 of Effective English

Lesson Plan Presentation for “Article Writing”

Grade Level: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2)

 

Subject: English Language Topic: Article Writing

Procedure:

Previous Lesson 

• Vocabulary Development: Prefixes.

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin by asking students what they know about article writing and its importance in journalism, academia, and online media.
• Introduce the learning objectives for the lesson and explain how each will be addressed.

Content Presentation (30 minutes)

• Discuss the key features of article writing, including structure, style, tone, and purpose.
• Review the steps involved in writing an article, including planning, researching, outlining, drafting, and editing.
• Present examples of different types of articles, including news, feature, opinion, and listicle, and discuss the unique features of each format.

 

Activity 1: Group Discussion (15 minutes)

• Divide students into groups of 4-5.
• Assign each group a different type of article to discuss, based on the examples presented.
• Have groups discuss the unique features of their assigned article type, including structure, style, and tone.
• Each group will present their findings to the class.

Activity 2: Writing Practice (30 minutes)

• Provide students with writing prompts for each article type discussed.
• Have students work independently or in pairs to write an article for each prompt.
• Encourage students to experiment with different formats and styles.

Conclusion (10 minutes)

• Review the main points of the lesson and ask students to share their writing experiences and any challenges they faced.
• Discuss the importance of practicing writing regularly and the benefits of developing strong writing skills.
• Assign homework that involves researching and writing an article on a topic of their choice.

Assessment:

• Monitor students’ participation in the group discussion and writing activities.
• Evaluate students’ written articles based on the key features of each article type discussed in class.
• Provide feedback on areas for improvement and offer suggestions for further practice.

Extensions:

• Have students publish their articles in the school newspaper or on a class blog or website.
• Invite a local journalist or writer to speak to the class about their experiences in the field of article writing.
• Assign students to analyze and critique articles from different media sources and discuss how the articles meet or fail to meet the standards of effective article writing

Weekly Assessment /Test 

1. What are the key features of article writing?
2. What are the steps involved in writing an effective article?
3. What are the different types of articles, and how do they differ in terms of structure, style, and tone?
4. What is the purpose of an article, and how does it differ from other forms of writing?
5. How important is research when writing an article, and what are some effective ways to conduct research?
6. What is the difference between a news article and a feature article?
7. How does the tone of an opinion article differ from that of a news article or a feature article?
8. What is a listicle, and what are some examples of effective listicles?
9. What are some strategies for writing an attention-grabbing headline for an article?
10. How can you effectively revise and edit your article to ensure it is clear, concise, and engaging for readers?