Article writing

An article is written for publication in a school magazine, foreign or local magazine, a newspaper, national or local journal etc. The topics of such articles may be narrative, descriptive, argumentative or expository. In this type of writing one has to be  clear about what purpose the article will serve. Is it to educate, inform, entertain, argue a point, provide some clue to a problem or give certain instructions about how something is done?.

Essential Things to Note While Writing an Article for Publication

Recognize the audience for which you are writing. It is important to recognize the readership.

Recognize what type the topic of the article

Another thing to note when writing an article for publication is the consideration of probably what has gone before. Certain expressed their views on the topic you are writing about.

Make your article to be interesting  and captivating enough so  that the editor will accept it and the public may read it.

Examples of Articles

Write an article suitable for publication in your school magazine on the effects of teenager marriage.

Many young people are taking to drugs these days. Write an article suitable for publication in a national newspaper on the dangers of drug abuse.

Write a story suitable for publication your school magazine on a memorable day in your life.

Features of an Article

Your article title should  have a title which should be underlined if not written in capital letters.

An article is not a letter to an editor, so you should not write any address.

An article is a formal writing and as such you should use formal language. Do not use contracted forms or slangs.

Link your sentences and paragraphs effectively with linking words and expressions.

Write your name and class at the bottom right-side of your paper if it is an article for publication in a school in a school magazine.

EVALUATION

Name the audience to whom  articles could be written to.

Mention three features of an article.

ASSIGNMENT

Write an article suitable for publication in your school magazine on the effects of teenager marriage. Your essay should not be less than 250 words.

TOPIC: Types of Poetry

Traditional Poem: This is a poem which has its root from the indigenous and oral poem which is often chanted. They are praise songs recited in honor of some heroic persons, animals or events. “Salute of the Elephant” is a good example

A ballad: This is a poem that is presented in form of a song telling old stories.

Ode: This is a long narrative lyrical poem written in form of an address to somebody, ideas or objects. It is often written in celebration of that which it is addressed to. Example “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats.

Lyric: This is a poem which directly expresses the poet’s personal emotion of love, sorrow, disappointment or fulfillment. It is highly emotional, full of thoughts and feelings. It could be sung during burial or other ceremonies. It has a regular rhythm with end rhyme

Elegy: This is a poem written in the meditation of any sorrow or ordeal. It is like a dirge but not specifically meant for only the deceased.

Dirge: This is a poem specially written to mourn the dead. It is primarily written to lament the departure of a loved one. “My Jewel is No More” by F.I Akilaki is a good example.

Sonnet: This is a poem of fourteen lines divided into two stanzas of eight lines (octave) and six lines (sestet). A sonnet could also be divided into three stanzas of four lines in the first two stanzas and six lines. It was classically dedicated to the theme of love.

Narrative poem: This is a long poem that tells of story. It gives the details of events and a person whose story it tells.

Epic: This is a poetic account of a hero. It is a poem that narrates the heroic deeds of a people or great man. Epics are usually very voluminous; they are the longest set of poems.

Lullaby: This is a poem of pleasant song chanted in a low gentle voice to lure children to sleep.

Idyll: This is a poetic form of short and idealized story which describes an incident or an interesting event.

Pastoral Poem: This is a poem that describes characters and symbols to represent the speech and action of human being.

Epitaph: This is a poetic inscription on a tomb stone. It is written to express respect or disrespect for the deceased.

Limerick: This is an amusing poem of five lines.