Article writing

IGCSE ESL/EFL (0510/0500)

Learning objective/s:

1. Understand the purpose and structure of an article.

2. Identify key features and elements of an effective article.
3. Analyze sample articles to identify their strengths and
weaknesses.
Purpose

The purpose of an article is often to inform

and persuade the reader. Articles give information
about a certain topic and can either persuade the
reader that a certain viewpoint is correct (one-sided
article; also called opinion article) or provide a
balanced argument that lets the reader make up their
own mind about the topic (two-sided article).
The format of a one-sided article

▪ Paragraph 1: Introduction (including your opinion)

▪ Paragraph 2: First point supporting your opinion with an explanation
▪ Paragraph 3: Second point supporting your opinion with an explanation
▪ Paragraph 4: State a counterargument (an idea from the opposing
viewpoint) and counter the counterargument (i.e., explain why this
counterargument is invalid). In other words, state a point made by
people who have a different opinion from yours and explain why they
are wrong.
▪ Paragraph 5: Conclusion (including your opinion again but in different
words)
The format of a two-sided article

▪ Paragraph 1: Introduction (without your opinion)

▪ Paragraph 2: One side of the issue either in favour or against
▪ Paragraph 3: The other side of the issue either in favour or against
▪ Paragraph 4: Conclusion (including your opinion)
Introduction
Introduction

The purpose of the introduction is to inform the reader about the main
point (topic) of the article and engage the reader to make them
interested in the topic and read the rest of your article.

1.Topic sentence
2.Rhetorical question(s)
3.Your opinion (if it is a one-sided article)
Topic sentence

Adverbial time phrases Generalization

▪ Nowadays/these days/currently
▪ Every day/week/year
▪ Recently/for many years/decades
▪ In the past
▪ 10 years ago
▪ In the last (few/five)
(days/weeks/months/years/deca
des)
▪ Almost all
▪ A large number of / The vast
majority (of)
▪ In almost all cases
▪ In the majority of cases
▪ In most cases
▪ In some cases
▪ On the whole/ Overall
Rhetorical questions

▪ How would you feel if you had two hours of homework every night?
▪ How much longer do animals have to suffer?
▪ Could you live with yourself if you missed out on this opportunity?
▪ How could we possibly stand the …?
▪ What would happen if …?
▪ Could your conscience cope with …?
▪ Is it really worth …?
▪ Do you want to be part of …?
▪ Have you ever thought about the positive impact you could have on the world by
becoming vegetarian?
Your opinion

▪ In my opinion ▪ It seems to me that

▪ In my view ▪ I am in favour of
▪ I concur/agree ▪ I am against the idea of
▪ I believe that ▪ I am strongly opposed to
▪ I think … ▪ I disagree / I cannot
accept
▪ I admit …
“Have you ever thought how school life
would be if the school day started later?
In my perspective, this will have
countless benefits.”
Body
When presenting the first point (used in the 1 st body paragraph of
both one-sided articles and two-sided articles)

• The main argument in favour of/against is

• The main point/reason is
• The most important point/reason
• The first point/reason
• First of all
• First and foremost
• Firstly
• In the first place
• On the one hand (used only when writing a two-sided article)
When adding more points (used in the 2nd body paragraph of a one-
sided article and both body paragraphs of a two-sided article)

•In addition, •Another noteworthy

•Furthermore, point is …
•Additionally, •Apart from that
•Moreover, •What is more
•Not only … but also… •Besides
•As well as.
•And
Body paragraph openers

When contrasting When giving examples

▪ However ▪ On the contrary ▪ For example

▪ Nevertheless ▪ By contrast ▪ For instance
▪ Even though ▪ In comparison ▪ One clear example is
▪ Although ▪ Alternatively
▪ Such as
▪ Despite ▪ Another option
could be ▪ Namely
▪ In spite of
▪ But ▪ To illustrate
▪ On the other
hand ▪ In other words
Body paragraph openers

When reasoning: When highlighting and stressing

▪ Results and consequences: as a ▪ Particularly

result, consequently, therefore,
thus, hence, for this reason, as ▪ In particular
a result (of), which means that, ▪ Specifically
etc.
▪ Especially
▪ Reasons and causes: owing to,
because (of), on account of, ▪ Obviously
due to, since, as, etc.
▪ Clearly
Conclusion
Sum up your main points concisely using concluding phrases. Here are some
examples.
• In conclusion
• To conclude
• To sum up
• To reiterate
• On the whole
• All in all
• All things considered
• After weighing the benefits and drawbacks
• It can be concluded that …
• I believe that …
• Thus, I am of the opinion that …
• Given these points
Points to keep in mind
Dos DON’Ts
• Organize your article into 4-5 • Avoid contractions.
paragraphs. • Avoid abbreviations and slang.
• Take care of spelling, punctuation, and • Avoid using informal vocabulary.
grammar. • Avoid repetition of
• Use a combination of simple, vocabulary and beginning your
compound, and complex sentences. sentences with the same words.
• Use a wide range of formal vocabulary,
including some advanced and less
commonly used ones.
• Use a wide variety of formal linking
words.
• Use advanced punctuation sparingly.
• Aim to complete towards the maximum
word limit.
• Spend about 30 minutes on this
exercise.
Practice a lot of
past papers and
get feedback on
your writing.