What is an Article?
An article is a piece of writing that is included in newspapers, magazines, or journals alongside other written works.
Functions of an article:
- Inform the reader about an idea, phenomenon and piece of news or information Present an opinion
- Present an objective analysis
- Used for descriptive purposes
Characteristics of an article:
- Can be formal or informal depending on who the readers are
- Is less formal than a report
- Is well researched and the facts are true
Format of an Article
How to Write an Article
- Before writing, ask four questions:
- What is the topic?
- What is the purpose of the article?
- What tone should be employed?
- What is the word limit?
Example:
- Topic: ‘Space Problem in the City’
- Purpose: To highlight the housing problems faced by the citizens due to space constraints in the city.
- Tone: Serious as the topic addresses a grave problem.
- Word Limit: 120–150 words
Brainstorm for ideas. Ask questions.
| o | What do you mean by ‘Space Problem’? |
| o | What causes this problem? |
| o | What are the various problems faced by people in the city? |
| o | What can this lead to? |
| o | Who all are affected? |
| o | What is the extent of the problem? |
| o | How can it be tackled? |
Create an outline on the basis of the questions.
Space problems mean lack of space for habitation purposes in big cities—urbanization, overpopulation, and crowding cause overpopulation—space problems cause problems such as overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and diseases—it can lead to more problems such as real estate mafia and crimes—the ones who are affected are the middle and the lower classes— people are deprived of amenities such as water, open spaces, and parks—congestion—can add to more pollution—can be tackled by managing resources adeptly—vertical expansion of the city can house more people.
- Think of a suitable title that reflects the main idea of the article.
- Use transition words and phrases to connect the points of your article.
- Structure your article by dividing your points into three parts—introduction, body and conclusion.
Sample 1
Fresh Water Pollution by Shraddha Kulkarni
Water that contains less than 1,000 milligrams per litre of dissolved solids is known as freshwater. When the level of oxygen in the water decreases because of human activities, we face the problem of freshwater pollution.
Commercial activities of humans such as industrialisation and tourism have caused the level of pollutants in these freshwater resources to rise. Freshwater sources become the dumping ground for industrial waste products and other biomedical wastes. Reckless tourist activities also contribute to pollution. While it is obvious that living things need potable water to survive, freshwater pollution also threatens the habitat of a wide variety of flora and fauna.
People may not realise the gravity of the situation unless it affects them in profound ways. Creating awareness through government programmes may be helpful as it may capture the attention of the people. Corporates should also pitch in and try to take up the problem as a social responsibility. Along with the reduction of carbon footprint, freshwater preservation should be promoted. Tourist organisations should also lay some ground rules for reckless tourists. Together, we should battle this problem lest we see a day when living things die for the want of water. Let us take small steps to effect big changes in the future.
Sample 2
E-Judiciary in India by Samreen Ansari
E-Judiciary or e-courts in India will revolutionise the way justice is dispensed by employing the use of technology at various levels of the litigation process. These processes include electronic case filing, online case submission and evidence production.
The main aim of starting this service in India is to speed up the judicial proceedings without cluttering the system. The e-judiciary manages cases automatically, provides online services, establishes the proper flow of information between courts and other government agencies, and lastly declutters the system by creating an easily accessible data grid. The e-court Mission Mode Project hopes to develop this efficient electronic system across India and all the union territories.
Through this system, we can be assured that problems such as the lack of transparency and delay in dispensing justice can be addressed efficiently.
Sample 3
The Two Sides of Technology by Susan Joseph
Technology has penetrated deep into our everyday lives. We start the day by checking our messages on the phone and by updating our social media profiles with our latest details. We rely on a wide array of electronic items in our everyday lives. The electronic revolution has made our lives easier. Today, it is difficult to imagine stepping out without a smartphone in the pocket. Communication has been enhanced thanks to e-mails and cellular technology. Household appliances like the vacuum cleaner, the microwave ovens and the washing machine have made chores easier. They are time-saving and more efficient than manual labour.
However, there are many disadvantages to the same. Automation removes the need for human intervention. A lot of jobs are thus lost to robots. A machine may be accurate, but it can never replace the ingenuity of the human mind. Technology has made slaves out of us since we are too dependent on it. It leads to the stagnancy of our intellectual capabilities making drones out of us. Pollution is also on the rise and the fears of a nuclear holocaust are always lurking in our minds.
We become too slothful when we rely on technology. If we do not wean ourselves off electronics, our natural faculties may cease to work. For example, depending too much on the calculator will cause our mathematical skills to stagnate and eventually not work. For its every merit, there is an equally appalling demerit. One should strike a fine balance by exploiting the benefits of technology without becoming dependent on it. the future.
Sample 4
Save Our Planet by Ali Sayyed
Serendipitously, our planet is at a perfect distance from the sun to create conditions that are favourable for life. To this day we have not been able to fathom whether life was a result of some fortuitous turn of events or because of an omniscient force that deliberately created living things. In either case, our planet is precious and one of a kind. Efforts should be made to save it from the systematic collapse it is hurtling towards.
Human beings are the only creatures that are known to exploit the earth’s resources with ingratitude and live in disharmony with other life forms. Human activities are the biggest contributors to the problems faced by our planet. Little steps we take can help us preserve our planet for our coming generations.
Start by conserving water as it is a life-giving resource. Steps like carpooling should be taken to minimise the use of fossil fuels. Resorting to cleaner sources of energy can help in the long run. Recycling and energy-efficient techniques can reduce the impact of pollution. Plant trees and preserve the existing green cover. Many environmentally concerned citizens have realised the value of simple living and are returning to the rustic way of life. By being one with nature, we are attuned to its needs.
Small measures add to big differences in the future. We should encourage every small initiative that is done for the preservation of the planet. Younger generations will have to undertake the gargantuan task of spreading environmental sensitivity. We have inherited our home from our older generations. Hence, we should respect our gift and take the necessary steps towards its conservation.
Sample 5
Challenges Posed by Destabilising Forces within a Country by Melissa Fonseca
The well-being of a nation depends on various factors—its economy, the quality of its population, the cultural and social mores. Anything that can harm any of the given factors can destabilise the nation and spark chaos.
Though external forces can shake the morale of the country, internal factors can cause profound harm to the harmony of the nation. Internal factors such as civil war can topple the government and cause anarchy. Headless states will then be ruled by proxy governments set up by self-appointed rulers. This can give rise to dictatorship in the nation.
Communal riots can tear the fabric of society and causing irrevocable damage to its sanity. Natural calamities can also contribute to the stability of the nation and can cause loss of property and lives. Thus, internal factors can destabilise a nation and may forever alter its course of progress.
To maintain the sanity of the nation, people should educate themselves about what is best for their nation. Accordingly, they should choose a leader who may guide their country to progress instead of anarchy.
Sample 6
Importance of Vocational Education by Kirti Kukreja
Vocational education refers to the training provided to students to make them fit for certain professions such as crafts, engineering, nursing and hospitality. Our education system needs to strike a fine balance between academic education and vocational education while designing the scholastic curriculum.
In addition to a dearth of skilled manpower in our country, the education provided in schools and colleges seems to have less practicality. These problems can be rectified if vocational education is imparted to students from a young age.
To build a strong nation, we need skilled citizens who are blessed with theoretical and practical knowledge. Therefore, the education system should focus on imparting vocational skills to students which would contribute to the nation’s progress.
Sample 7
Is War the Best Way to Counter Terrorism? by Akshara Das
The prime goal of the defence system of a country is the safety of the regions and the people. Terrorism has always been jeopardising lives. Therefore, if a country needs to fight against such groups, war is justified. Attack is the best form of defence. Terrorist groups have a strong and sophisticated network, which can be counteracted only with an equally strong defence system. Therefore, military operation is crucial in breaking the network completely. Terrorist groups have no regard for rules of international harmony and concord.
Therefore, the use of force in the form of war seems justified. However, even war is not a consummate solution to end terrorism. The number of terrorists and terrorist groups present in the world today is mind-boggling. The world can be freed from their grips only if they are attacked and wiped out completely. Terrorist groups are neither confined nor limited to a single country. Therefore, engaging a country’s military to wage war against such groups is inappropriate. When countries are engaged in wars, there is tremendous loss of life and property. War forces civilians to give up their social rights in exchange for their safety.
However, once the war has stopped, terrorists will once again wreak havoc in the lives of people. The additional power given in the hands of the ruling bodies during wartime is often misused and resources are wasted. A great deal of time and money is wasted in the name of war. It takes years for a country to regain normal function after a war.
Therefore, war is not an option to fight terrorism. Terrorist groups entice poor and helpless youngsters by convincing them that becoming a terrorist is a way of getting all your freedom back. Violence begets violence. If terrorists are attacked, they are likely to displace their wrath on innocent people. Therefore, the war against terrorism is not justified.
Sample 8
The Importance of Brisk Walking by Ashford D’Cruz
The life that we lead today is full of stress. Be it work-related worry or exam-related anxiety, constant stress has become a hallmark of our lives. Its repercussions can be seen manifesting in the form of diseases and mental illnesses. It affects the quality of our lives and can often cause strain in relationships. While it is true that stress is unavoidable, we can always circumvent its negative effects by changing our lifestyle.
Brisk walking daily for 30 minutes is known to reduce our cortisol levels and improves cardiovascular health. Apart from helping us lose weight, walking also promotes a sense of well-being. Yoga, an underappreciated system of physical techniques, offers a wide range of benefits to our stressed constitution. It promotes the harmony of the body, mind and spirit.
An unhealthy gut is known to be the hotbed of diseases. A healthful diet comprising vegetables, whole grains, oils and fresh fruits can work wonders for our well-being. A high-fibre diet can cleanse the colon and keep the gut healthy. Adopting these small changes in our otherwise stressful lifestyle can relive us of our health problems.
Sample 9
Science, the Future by Tariq Khurshid
Since the advancement of science and technology, the lives of people have changed tremendously. Human beings by nature are inquisitive social animals. Scientific inventions have upgraded lives making people more independent. It has made life easier and increased the lifespan as well.
Some of these breakthrough inventions include things like a portrait record player, a clock that writes down time, virtual keyboards and virtual memory, and smartphones. Scientific inventions are also being used in the medical field to get results which people would not have imagined a few years ago. The robotic artificial limb is one such invention. After this invention, numerous people have gone back to living independent lives contented that they do not have to rely on others for their most basic needs.
Science and technological inventions have lessened the burden of work from people’s shoulders. Most of the work which needed manual labour can now be done using machines, saving both energy and time