How to write a great article

Mike Nutley – Ex Editor of New Media Age and nearly 30 years of B2B Journalism graciously sat down with the Grafform team to give us some advice on writing.

Blogging – Have a “Personal Voice” and try to get the real you across. Journalism – Get the story, tell the facts. Less about the writer.

 

Mike mentioned Lester Bangs who was a famous Rock journalist who wrote in his own unique style which was radical and often critical, as apparent in this quote:

 

Well basically I just started out to lead [an interview] with the most insulting question I could think of. Because it seemed to me that the whole thing of interviewing as far as rock stars and that was just such a suck up. It was groveling obeisance to people who weren’t that special, really. It’s just a guy, just another person, so what?[12]

Bangs was often quoted as the best American writer of his period.

Questions to think about when writing:

Question 1 What do you want the reader to think? Or what do you want them to do after         reading?

Question 2 Who is the reader? Think about what else they read (The Sun, The Telegraph)?

Question 3 How do they consume what they read? (In print, on a P.C or tablet)

Question 4 Why are they reading this? For fun, for work, for interest?

 

Rule 1.

1st line is the most important

1a: Use most interesting/shocking fact. The more dramatic the better

 N.B. Quotes are hard to lead with (must be really strong to lead with!)

Simplicity is better than complexity (KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid). Ideally short and relevant.

 

Rule 2.

The headline is your promise to the reader.

N.B. Must deliver on this promise in the first paragraph.

 

Tips

Plan your article, how many paragraphs are you aiming for? Add a point/aim to each paragraph. Easier to layout this way, take the reader on a journey and show them you have thought about it!

 

- Write shorter paragraphs.

- If you can use a shorter/simpler word do it.

- Never start with a subordinate clause.

 

Mike also referred to George Orwell’s rules for writing…

 

George Orwell’s rules.

i) Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.

ii) Never use a long word where a short one will do.

iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active.

v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

vi) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

[From Politics And The English Language]

 

Endings

 

N.B. Do not write in conclusion!

It’s alright to end on a relevant quote.

 

Review

 

It’s ok to write the “article” then compose the intro and ending.

 

Start Tell audience what you will tell them

Meat Tell them

End Tell them what you told them!

Other Resources

 

How to write the best blog post EVER by hubspot

http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/18470/How-to-Write-the-Best-Blog-Post-EVER.aspx

 

The greatest blog post ever written

http://www.adaringadventure.com/life-coaching/the-greatest-blog-post-ever-written/

 

Inspiration on what to write about

http://www.copyblogger.com/get-ideas