How to Write Educational Articles
Educational articles are informational writings that inform, instruct or otherwise impart knowledge to readers. Articles are usually written for specific publications and with a particular audience in mind. You'll need to first organize your thoughts in order to convey information in a meaningful way. A methodical approach can ensure that all points are covered in your article. Keep readers alert and eager for more with illustrative references and expressive language. Give decisive concluding remarks or allow readers to interpret information for themselves.
Choose an appropriate subject or topic to write about and one that can be completed within the allocated amount of space. Use material that will appeal to a particular audience or age group. If you already know the venue for publication, make sure to adhere to specific guidelines.
Research your subject matter to provide current or updated information. You may be familiar with a topic, but if new findings have been released, you may not appear informed if you neglect referencing them. For example, if you're writing about earthquakes in New Zealand, you might want to mention a few that have recently rocked Christchurch, New Zealand. Match dates to the areas effected and research what geologists predict about future seismic events.
Organize the information into categories or groupings that share a common thread and further subgroup information to further delineate it. Look at the content structure and decide how you want to present the information based on all the evidence and examples you have. Choose an angle to write about and be consistent with it throughout the piece.
Describe your subject matter and what is the emphasis or focus of the article. Give introductory remarks to gear up readers for the information they are about to read. Write expressively to stir the imagination of readers.
Demonstrate your expertise or at least passion for the subject matter. Write paragraphs or sections that tell how to do something or why one method is more effective than another. Describe how or why something is done in a particular way and the processes required to do it. Fully detail the text so that readers can understand what it is you're trying to convey. Defend your findings with compelling arguments and reasons that readers can believe what you write.
End educational articles with questions for readers that will make them want to learn more about the subject.
Create a captivating title and use catchy subtitles where appropriate. Appeal to readers with informative yet intriguing titles that make them want to read your article.
Writer Bio
Erin Moseley is an advocate for science education. Since 1985, she has written numerous technical, user and training manuals for major corporations, public agencies and universities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in geology.
