Have you ever thought about becoming a writer? Maybe you’ve always been interested in writing, but never thought about how to make the career switch. If so, then worry no more! We’ve got you covered on this front. In this article, we’ll teach you the basics of writing articles to apply for a job as a writer. So sit back and get ready to write! Let’s get started.
Start With The Basics
As a beginner, it’s important to start simple. Before you start putting words on your page, make sure you know what words you’re going to use. It’s easy to just pick up any old word processor and start typing, but if you want to write good, you need to take the time to plan.
Start with spelling. You’ve got a lot to say, so keep your writing fresh and avoid any spelling errors. Even better, write out your articles in advance and then go through them with a professional editor to make sure everything is perfect. Don’t worry, you won’t have to pay for this service. Writers often do this as part of their job search strategy. It’s a great service for beginners who want to break into the field. Plus, you’ll learn a lot from this process.
Find The Subject Matter
Next, you need to decide what kind of articles you’re going to write. There are several options here, so think about what kind of content you have and what you want to do with it. Think about the kinds of articles you enjoy writing and try to pinpoint the ones you’re already most familiar with. You can also use the Pareto principle here. This is where you look for the things that you do best and use those to your advantage. This could be something as simple as using your native tongue or even just using English for the majority of your work. It depends on you and what you prefer.
Whatever the case may be, find a topic you’re passionate about and keep searching until you find something that excites you. Once you’ve got that, you can start building your article list.
Choose A Niche
Now that you’ve got your list of articles, you need to decide which one to use for your application. There are several factors to consider here. First, what’s the purpose of the article? If you’re applying for a job as a medical writer, for example, you might want to go for a general article on health or even an article focused on a specific type of health condition. Think about what the publication is looking for and choose an article that meets these needs.
On the other hand, if you’re applying for a job as a technical writer, you might want to go for something more general like ‘How to write a winning business plan’. The article should reflect what the publication is looking for. In this case, the focus should be on the overall structure of the business plan and the various components within it.
Build A Strong Introduction
Your introduction is your chance to grab the reader’s attention. To do this, you need to establish yourself as an expert in the field and provide useful information about the topic at hand. Your introduction should include the following:
- A hook – Something that will make the reader want to continue reading your article
- A topic sentence – The main point you’re making in your introduction
- At least two paragraphs explaining the topic in more detail
A strong intro will make or break your article. Some publishers might even require you to write an intro for the piece you’re submitting. So take the time to work on your intro now so that you can proceed to the next step.
Craft An Outstanding Body
The body of your article is where you’ll present your arguments. In order to do this, you need to organize your material into a logical structure and use relevant examples to support your points. The body of your article should include the following:
- Three strong paragraphs breaking down the main idea
- A direct quotation (either word for word or in part) used to illustrate your point
- Three to five supporting examples
- A succinct conclusion
The more you write, the more you’ll learn. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be able to write a full-fledged article in no time!