By Liza Othman
That is the first question that inexperienced writers ask their literary advisers. "If you haven't anything to write about, why write at all?" might be an easy answer. Most persons, as a matter of fact, have plenty to write about but do not realize it. Not lack of subjects, but inability to recognize the possibilities of what lies at hand, is their real difficulty.
The best method of finding subjects is to look at every person, every event, every experience - in short, at everything - with a view to seeing whether or not it has possibilities for a special feature article. Even in the apparently prosaic round of everyday life will be found a variety of themes. A circular letter from a business firm announcing a new policy, a classified advertisement in a newspaper, the complaint of a scrub-woman, a new variety of fruit in the grocer's window, an increase in the price of laundry work, a hurried luncheon at a cafeteria - any of the hundred and one daily experiences may suggest a "live" topic for an article.
"Every foot of ground is five feet deep with subjects; all you have to do is to scratch the surface for one," declared the editor of a popular magazine who is also a successful writer of special articles. This statement may be taken as literally true. Within the narrow confines of one's house and yard, for instance, are many topics. A year's experience with the family budget, a home-made device, an attempt to solve the servant problem, a method of making pin-money, a practical means of economizing in household management, are forms of personal experience that may be made interesting to newspaper and magazine readers. A garden on a city lot, a poultry house in a back yard, a novel form of garage, a new use for a gasoline engine, a labor-saving device on the farm, may afford equally good topics. One's own experience, always a rich field, may be supplemented by experiences of neighbors and friends. A second source of subjects is the daily newspaper. Local news will give the writer clues that he can follow up by visiting the places mentioned, interviewing the persons concerned, and gathering other relevant material. When news comes from a distance, he can write to the persons most likely to have the desired information. In neither case can he be sure, until he has investigated, that an item of news will prove to contain sufficient available material for an article. Many pieces of news, however, are worth running down carefully, for the day's events are rich in possibilities.
Pieces of news as diverse as the following may suggest excellent subjects for special articles: the death of an interesting person, the sale of a building that has historic associations, the meeting of an uncommon group or organization, the approach of the anniversary of an event, the election or appointment of a person to a position, an unusual occupation, an odd accident, an auction, a proposed municipal improvement, the arrival of a well-known person, an official report, a legal decision, an epidemic, the arrest of a noted criminal, the passing of an old custom, the publication of the city directory, a railroad accident, a marked change in fashion in dress.
A third source of both subjects and material is the report of special studies in some field, the form of the report ranging from a paper read at a meeting to a treatise in several volumes. These reports of experiments, surveys, investigations, and other forms of research, are to be found in printed bulletins, monographs, proceedings of organizations, scientific periodicals, and new books. Government publications - federal, state, and local - giving results of investigative work done by bureaus, commissions, and committees, are public documents that may usually be had free of charge. Technical and scientific periodicals and printed proceedings of important organizations are generally available at public libraries.
"If you want to publish something where it will never be read," a wit has observed, "print it in an official document." Government reports are filled with valuable information that remains quite unknown to the average reader unless newspapers and magazines unearth it and present it in popular form. The popularization of the contents of all kinds of scientific and technical publications affords great opportunities for the writer who can present such subjects effectively.
The most radical ideas of our day are not apt to be found in the popular newspaper or in queer little insurrectionary, heretical and propaganda sheets that we occasionally see, but in the technical journals and proceedings of learned societies. The real revolutions are hatched in the laboratory and study. The papers read before the annual meetings of the scientific societies, and for the most part unnoticed by the press, contain more dynamite than was ever discovered in any anarchist's shop. Political revolutions merely change the form of government or the name of the party in power. Scientific revolutions really turn the world over, and it never settles back into its former position.
The beauty of scientific discoveries can be revealed to the general reader if there is an intermediary who can understand equally the language of the laboratory and of the street. The modern journalist knows that anything can be made interesting to anybody, if he takes pains enough with the writing of it. It is not necessary, either, to pervert scientific truths in the process of translation into the vernacular. The facts are sensational enough without any picturesque exaggeration.
The three main sources you can use to find subjects and material for your articles are (1) personal observation and experience, (2) newspapers, (3) scientific and technical publications and official reports.
If you would like to find out more about how to find subjects and materials for your articles, head to http://WriteFeatureArticles.FunHowToBooks.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liza_Othman
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
An Easy Way To Write Articles - Learn How To Write a Mind Blowing Article In Just 25-30 Minutes
By Kris Malviya
Writing articles needs practice. Once you know about the basic skills all you need is practice. People write articles to promote their websites, for their company or to promote their business or just to make people aware or spread the word or to help. In this article, you will learn about an easy way to write articles. I will show you a way to write quality articles in about 25 -30 minutes!
Whatever your cause is, people will only read quality articles which they enjoy reading. You want your readers to enjoy, to like you which will ultimately result in people visiting and becoming regular visitors of your website searching for quality articles. Now let me tell you, writing articles is not a difficult task. It' s quite a simple task once you know the basics.
Ok, so here' s an easy way to write articles.
First you need to choose a topic. On what topic are you going to write?
Choose a topic which you are familiar with or experience in or you simply
like it.
After that collect some resources. Go to a search engine(Google for eg.) and
search for about 5- 10 articles related to your topic.
Read them. Increase your knowledge on that topic. But do not copy content.
That will leave your articles duplicate and people and search engines only
like genuine articles.
Write the article in a simple format. Like this-
In the first paragraph tell people what you will tell them in the article. What
the article is all about. Introduce.
Second para- Tell them
Third para- Could include some tips or facts.
Fourth para- Revise. Tell them what you just told them in short.
You can edit the format as you wish. But this basic format makes people read and makes writing articles much simpler for you.
Or you can just make an article full of tips and an introduction and a revision paragraph in the end.
In this article, the first paragraph you see is the introduction. Then comes a little about writing articles. And the third part includes tips because I know people love tips.
If you apply these simple tips while writing articles, your articles will surely find more popularity, love from people and ultimately more profits for you. And, after putting in some practice to this procedure, you will easily be able to write short and sweet articles of about 350- 420 words in 25-30 minutes.
Did you know you could get paid to write articles on the internet? Learn more
To find information and learn new cool stuff about free softwares, the internet, iPods and music players Visit High Tech Dudes
Join us and become a High Tech Dude. Help and information in iPods, music players, free softwares and internet.
*Feel free to publish this article on your website, but do not make any changes in the article and keep all the links active.*
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kris_Malviya
Writing articles needs practice. Once you know about the basic skills all you need is practice. People write articles to promote their websites, for their company or to promote their business or just to make people aware or spread the word or to help. In this article, you will learn about an easy way to write articles. I will show you a way to write quality articles in about 25 -30 minutes!
Whatever your cause is, people will only read quality articles which they enjoy reading. You want your readers to enjoy, to like you which will ultimately result in people visiting and becoming regular visitors of your website searching for quality articles. Now let me tell you, writing articles is not a difficult task. It' s quite a simple task once you know the basics.
Ok, so here' s an easy way to write articles.
First you need to choose a topic. On what topic are you going to write?
Choose a topic which you are familiar with or experience in or you simply
like it.
After that collect some resources. Go to a search engine(Google for eg.) and
search for about 5- 10 articles related to your topic.
Read them. Increase your knowledge on that topic. But do not copy content.
That will leave your articles duplicate and people and search engines only
like genuine articles.
Write the article in a simple format. Like this-
In the first paragraph tell people what you will tell them in the article. What
the article is all about. Introduce.
Second para- Tell them
Third para- Could include some tips or facts.
Fourth para- Revise. Tell them what you just told them in short.
You can edit the format as you wish. But this basic format makes people read and makes writing articles much simpler for you.
Or you can just make an article full of tips and an introduction and a revision paragraph in the end.
In this article, the first paragraph you see is the introduction. Then comes a little about writing articles. And the third part includes tips because I know people love tips.
If you apply these simple tips while writing articles, your articles will surely find more popularity, love from people and ultimately more profits for you. And, after putting in some practice to this procedure, you will easily be able to write short and sweet articles of about 350- 420 words in 25-30 minutes.
Did you know you could get paid to write articles on the internet? Learn more
To find information and learn new cool stuff about free softwares, the internet, iPods and music players Visit High Tech Dudes
Join us and become a High Tech Dude. Help and information in iPods, music players, free softwares and internet.
*Feel free to publish this article on your website, but do not make any changes in the article and keep all the links active.*
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kris_Malviya
Sunday, November 25, 2007
How to Spice Up Your Articles and Attract More Readers
By Nancy Ayash
I can make you something in 3D; a Pop-Up. Or, I can fold my words into a paper airplane and send them flying into the clouds. Would you prefer elastic? Let me show you how I s-t-r-e-t-c-h words like taffy; then chop them into smaller words; and wrap these tiny morsels with bright candy wrappers; and that’s just the texture of my writing.
Need lots of color? I’ll splash words into blotches of paint; drip it; smudge all the colors just right to form the perfect image. Want it sweet? I’ll create words in large crystal chunks of raw sugar; or melt-in-your-mouth cotton candy. Looking for something hot? I can pepper words with exotic spices you’ve never heard of. Yes, it’s an art; a very fine art; the work of a copywriter.
Unfortunately, I’m not a copywriter; I write content. I’m Sergeant Joe Friday of Dragnet; (dum-dee-dum-dum) “Just the facts ma’am; just the facts.” I’m concerned with time, weather, and all sorts of data. I might live in a black and white world, but I still need that color to keep me from producing wikipedia text. A good content writer must find that sweet spot by combining facts with art. I need to give the reader information, but keep it interesting.
Here are some tips for combining these two forms of writing into an entertaining yet useful article.
• I begin with facts. This is the frame of a good article; it’s the structure upon which I can build my writing. For example, let’s say I’ve chosen the subject of Micro Investing; I need to give the reader a quick over-view of what this means in terms of risk and reward, and how it might benefit the independent investor. I also need to bring the subject into the reader’s awareness in an efficient manner; I must be brief.
• Next, I’ll add support to the framework by introducing data; this gives weight to the article; what defines a penny stock? How do they trade? Does a low share price always equate to low quality? I’ll provide the good, the bad, and the ugly about micro investing.
• At this point I’ll add some copy. This is the sugar and spice within the writing that gives it some zip. Terms like “wild west” and “rowdy cowpokes” come to mind in the land of micro/penny stocks; HIGH risk and BIG rewards; “Thar’s gold in them thar hills.” Perhaps I’ll even throw in a cowboy quote, “Always drink upstream from the herd.”
There’s a bold contrast between mainstream investing and penny stocks, and this presents an opportunity to use copywriting skills.
As a content writer, I have to make the article easy to read, hold the reader’s attention, and give valuable information; all within a confined space. But I also need copy as a glaze to bring out the shine; and that requires some sugar or spice.
Informative articles don’t have to be a pile of old, dried-out wood. They can be very entertaining and lively. Just remember to use copy sparingly; a little goes a long way.
Nancy Ayash is a freelance writer currently residing in the Pacific Northwest. http://www.creativewordz.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Ayash
I can make you something in 3D; a Pop-Up. Or, I can fold my words into a paper airplane and send them flying into the clouds. Would you prefer elastic? Let me show you how I s-t-r-e-t-c-h words like taffy; then chop them into smaller words; and wrap these tiny morsels with bright candy wrappers; and that’s just the texture of my writing.
Need lots of color? I’ll splash words into blotches of paint; drip it; smudge all the colors just right to form the perfect image. Want it sweet? I’ll create words in large crystal chunks of raw sugar; or melt-in-your-mouth cotton candy. Looking for something hot? I can pepper words with exotic spices you’ve never heard of. Yes, it’s an art; a very fine art; the work of a copywriter.
Unfortunately, I’m not a copywriter; I write content. I’m Sergeant Joe Friday of Dragnet; (dum-dee-dum-dum) “Just the facts ma’am; just the facts.” I’m concerned with time, weather, and all sorts of data. I might live in a black and white world, but I still need that color to keep me from producing wikipedia text. A good content writer must find that sweet spot by combining facts with art. I need to give the reader information, but keep it interesting.
Here are some tips for combining these two forms of writing into an entertaining yet useful article.
• I begin with facts. This is the frame of a good article; it’s the structure upon which I can build my writing. For example, let’s say I’ve chosen the subject of Micro Investing; I need to give the reader a quick over-view of what this means in terms of risk and reward, and how it might benefit the independent investor. I also need to bring the subject into the reader’s awareness in an efficient manner; I must be brief.
• Next, I’ll add support to the framework by introducing data; this gives weight to the article; what defines a penny stock? How do they trade? Does a low share price always equate to low quality? I’ll provide the good, the bad, and the ugly about micro investing.
• At this point I’ll add some copy. This is the sugar and spice within the writing that gives it some zip. Terms like “wild west” and “rowdy cowpokes” come to mind in the land of micro/penny stocks; HIGH risk and BIG rewards; “Thar’s gold in them thar hills.” Perhaps I’ll even throw in a cowboy quote, “Always drink upstream from the herd.”
There’s a bold contrast between mainstream investing and penny stocks, and this presents an opportunity to use copywriting skills.
As a content writer, I have to make the article easy to read, hold the reader’s attention, and give valuable information; all within a confined space. But I also need copy as a glaze to bring out the shine; and that requires some sugar or spice.
Informative articles don’t have to be a pile of old, dried-out wood. They can be very entertaining and lively. Just remember to use copy sparingly; a little goes a long way.
Nancy Ayash is a freelance writer currently residing in the Pacific Northwest. http://www.creativewordz.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Ayash
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