In the Internet age, people have shorter attention spans than ever before. This means that if you want to get your point across, you need to be able to do so quickly and efficiently.
That’s where short articles come in. When writing a short article for the web, you need to convey your point clearly and concisely while providing value to the reader.
So, how do you do that?
Glad you asked. Here are 7 actionable tips that you can begin using right away.
1. Start with a strong hook
You only have a few sentences to grab the reader’s attention, so make them count. Start with something interesting, shocking, or thought-provoking. Whatever you do, don’t start with a dictionary definition or a long-winded explanation of what you will be talking about. Get straight to the point.
2. Keep it focused
A short article is not the place for meandering tangents or lengthy digressions. Once you’ve grabbed the reader’s attention, it’s time to deliver on that promise by staying focused on the main topic. Every sentence should contribute to the article’s overall message; if it doesn’t, cut it out.
3. Write in active voice
Passive voice is ponderous and can make even the simplest sentence sound convoluted. When revising your article, keep an eye out for any instances of passive voice and rework them into active voice. Not only will this make your writing more concise, but it will also make it more engaging for the reader.
4. Use strong verbs
Weak verbs like “to be” and “to have” are filler words that don’t add value to your sentence. Instead of saying, “The results show that,” try “The results indicate.” Not only will this shorten your sentence, but it will also make it more powerful.
5. Be concise
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating: when writing a short article, every word counts. This means that you need to be ruthless in your editing, cutting out anything that doesn’t contribute directly to the overall message of your article. If you’re struggling with being too wordy, try reading your article aloud; if you find yourself running out of breath before reaching the end of a sentence, it’s probably too long and needs to be shortened.
6. Choose simple words and phrases
In general, shorter words are better than longer ones, and common phrases are better than obscure jargon. Use language everyone can understand; otherwise, you risk losing your reader’s attention entirely.
7. Edit, edit, edit
Once you’ve written your first draft, put it away for a little while and then come back to it with fresh eyes.
Are there any sentences that could be shorter? Any areas where you could be more concise? Are there any places where you could cut out unnecessary words? Is there unintentional bias?
The more times you revise, the better your final product will be.
Quick closing thoughts
Writing a short article can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these simple tips, you can write an article that is clear, concise and packs a punch. So what are you waiting for?
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