Whether you’re writing an article for school, work or your own website, it’s essential to plan ahead and get it right. It will save you time in the long run and make you a better writer.
How to Plan Your Writing
Before you begin writing, make a list of the main points you want to cover in your article. This will give you an outline and help you organize your thoughts. It also helps you decide which points are strongest for your audience and which you should cut or leave out completely.
Consider a template for the first part of your article (introduction, body with sections, conclusion). It will help you brainstorm your main ideas, identify which parts are strongest and where you need to research further.
Choose a topic that is relevant to your audience and is something you’d like to write about yourself. Then, start researching the topic in depth. If possible, ask people for their opinions about the topic and do some interviews.
Take note of any gaps or problems in the current literature, and try to develop your article in line with those gaps or problems. This will avoid accidental plagiarism, and it will help your reader understand how your work connects with the research of others.
The key to developing a journal article is to develop it in line with the strategic goals of your chosen journal and the research needs of your target audience. Your supervisor or trusted contacts in your field can help you find a journal that will support your research and reach your intended audience.
Your research should be focused on a clear gap or problem in the existing research literature, and it should be consistent with your discipline’s strategic goals. It should also build on previous work that is already published to show how your work links with existing research in your field.
Include references to reputable academic publications and scholarly journals, as well as any other sources you’ll need. When citing these, always fully understand the relevance of your reference, and make sure to include recent references to highlight current developments in your field.
Acknowledgements
A journal article should acknowledge individuals who have contributed to the work. This includes colleagues who are not co-authors and other researchers. You should also acknowledge any organizations that have financially supported the project.
Title
The title is usually the most important piece of information that a viewer sees online when searching for content. It is also the one that appears at the top of search engine result pages (SERPs).
Incorporate keywords in your title to ensure it appears high up on SERPs and attracts more viewers. In addition, make sure your title reflects the main point of your article.
Conclusion
Ultimately, your conclusion should be effective and encourage readers to think about the issue. This can be achieved by restating the leading statement (thesis), indicating potential future developments in the subject, and giving a brief, concise summation of your argument.
