by Article
An article is a written piece of information or content that is intended for publication in a newspaper, magazine, journal, or online platform. Articles are written on a variety of topics and can take many different forms, such as news articles, feature articles, opinion pieces, or informative articles.
The primary purpose of an article is to inform and engage the reader, providing them with information on a particular topic or subject matter. Articles are typically written in a formal style, using a clear and concise language that is easy to understand for the target audience.
An article typically follows a standard format that includes a headline or title, an introduction, the main body, and a conclusion. The headline is the first thing the reader sees and should be catchy and attention-grabbing. The introduction provides a brief overview of the topic and sets the tone for the rest of the article.
The main body of the article contains the bulk of the information, often organized into sections or subheadings to make it easier for readers to follow. The conclusion provides a summary of the main points and may offer suggestions for further reading or action.
Articles can be written by professional journalists, academics, experts, or even amateur writers. They may be published in print or online, and are often shared through social media or other digital platforms. Overall, articles serve as an important means of communication, providing readers with valuable information on a wide range of topics.
Examples of Article
Here are a few examples of articles:
Examples 1
News Article: “Local school celebrates highest test scores in district history”
This news article reports on a recent achievement of a local school. It provides details on the school’s high test scores, highlights the factors that contributed to the success, and includes quotes from teachers and students.
Examples 2
Feature Article: “The art of coffee brewing: A beginner’s guide”
This feature article is an informative piece that provides tips and instructions on how to brew a great cup of coffee. It includes a brief history of coffee, different brewing methods, and recommendations for equipment and beans.
Examples 3
Opinion Article: “Why we need to prioritize mental health in the workplace”
This opinion article argues for the importance of mental health in the workplace. It presents statistics on the prevalence of mental health issues among workers, and makes the case for investing in employee wellness programs and support.
Types of Article
There are several types of articles, each with their own purpose and style. Here are some of the most common types of articles:
- News articles: These articles report on recent events or developments. They provide the basic who, what, where, when, why, and how of a story in a concise and objective manner.
- Feature articles: These articles are more in-depth and explore a particular topic or issue. They may include interviews, personal stories, and expert analysis to provide a more comprehensive look at the subject.
- Opinion articles: These articles express the author’s point of view or argument on a particular topic. They may be persuasive, argumentative, or explanatory in nature.
- How-to articles: These articles provide step-by-step instructions on how to do something. They are typically instructional and may include visual aids such as photos or diagrams.
- Profile articles: These articles focus on a particular person or group and provide a detailed look at their background, achievements, and impact.
- Review articles: These articles evaluate a product, service, or event and provide an opinion or critique. They may include a summary of the item being reviewed, as well as the author’s personal experience and assessment.
- Research articles: These articles report on the findings of a scientific or academic study. They may include charts, graphs, and statistical data to support the research findings.
Objectives of Article
The objectives of an article can vary depending on its purpose and audience, but here are some common objectives:
- To inform: One of the primary objectives of an article is to inform the reader about a particular topic or event. The article may provide factual information, background context, and relevant details that help the reader understand the subject matter.
- To entertain: Some articles are written with the objective of entertaining the reader. This may be achieved through the use of engaging storytelling, humor, or other techniques that make the article enjoyable to read.
- To persuade: Many articles are written with the objective of persuading the reader to take a certain action, support a particular cause, or adopt a specific point of view. These articles may use persuasive language, logical arguments, or emotional appeals to convince the reader.
- To educate: Some articles are written with the objective of educating the reader about a specific topic or issue. These articles may provide background information, definitions, or other details that help the reader gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
- To spark discussion: Some articles are written with the objective of sparking discussion or debate among readers. These articles may present controversial opinions or ideas, or encourage readers to share their own thoughts and experiences on the topic.
Components of Article
The components of an article may vary depending on its purpose and audience, but here are some common elements:
- Headline: This is the title of the article, which should be attention-grabbing and accurately reflect the content of the article.
- Introduction: The introduction should provide an overview of the article and capture the reader’s interest. It may include background information, a hook, or a thesis statement that sets the tone for the rest of the article.
- Body: The body of the article is where the main content is presented. It should be well-organized and include relevant details, facts, and examples to support the main points of the article.
- Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the key points of the article and provide closure for the reader. It may also include a call-to-action or a final thought to leave the reader with something to think about.
- References: If the article includes information from other sources, references should be provided to give credit to the original authors and to allow readers to find additional information if they wish.
- Images: Images or other visual aids may be included in the article to help illustrate key points, break up long blocks of text, or make the article more engaging.
- Author’s byline: The author’s byline should be included at the end of the article, which provides the reader with the author’s name and often other details, such as their affiliation or qualifications.
Essay
An essay is a piece of writing that presents the writer’s viewpoint or argument on a particular topic. It is a formal, structured piece of writing that typically consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
The purpose of an essay can vary, but it typically aims to persuade or inform the reader about a particular topic. Essays may also aim to entertain, analyze, or reflect on a specific subject. The writer’s opinion or argument is typically presented in the thesis statement, which is often located at the end of the introduction.
The body paragraphs of an essay provide support for the thesis statement by presenting evidence, examples, and arguments. Each paragraph typically begins with a topic sentence, which presents the main idea of the paragraph. The body paragraphs should be organized logically, with each paragraph building on the previous one to support the writer’s argument.
The conclusion of an essay summarizes the main points of the essay and restates the thesis statement in a new way. It should leave the reader with a clear understanding of the writer’s viewpoint or argument.
Essays may be assigned as academic assignments or may be written for personal or professional purposes. They can range in length from a few paragraphs to several pages, depending on the assignment or purpose of the essay.
Examples of Essay
Here are some examples of essays:
- Narrative essay: This type of essay tells a story or recounts an experience. For example, an essay about a memorable trip or a significant event in the writer’s life.
- Descriptive essay: A descriptive essay describes something in detail, such as a place, object, or person. For example, an essay describing a favorite childhood memory or a picturesque landscape.
- Persuasive essay: A persuasive essay presents an argument and attempts to persuade the reader to adopt the writer’s viewpoint. For example, an essay arguing for the importance of recycling or the need for stricter gun control laws.
- Expository essay: An expository essay explains or describes a topic in detail. For example, an essay explaining the causes and effects of climate change or the steps involved in baking a cake.
- Compare and contrast essay: This type of essay compares and contrasts two or more subjects. For example, an essay comparing the pros and cons of living in a city versus living in the countryside.
Types of Essay
There are several types of essays, each with its own unique structure and purpose. Here are some of the most common types:
- Narrative essay: This type of essay tells a story, often from the writer’s own personal experience.
- Descriptive essay: A descriptive essay describes something in detail, such as a person, place, or object.
- Expository essay: An expository essay explains or describes a topic in detail, often using facts, statistics, or examples to support the explanation.
- Persuasive essay: A persuasive essay presents an argument and attempts to persuade the reader to adopt the writer’s viewpoint.
- Argumentative essay: Similar to a persuasive essay, an argumentative essay presents an argument but also acknowledges opposing viewpoints and tries to refute them.
- Compare and contrast essay: This type of essay compares and contrasts two or more subjects, highlighting their similarities and differences.
- Cause and effect essay: A cause and effect essay explores the cause-and-effect relationship between two or more events or situations.
- Process essay: A process essay explains how to do something, often in a step-by-step format.
- Classification essay: A classification essay categorizes objects, ideas, or people into specific groups.
- Definition essay: A definition essay defines a term, concept, or idea in depth, often using examples to clarify its meaning.
Objectives of Essay
The objectives of an essay can vary depending on the type of essay and the purpose of the writing. However, some common objectives of essays include:
- To inform: Essays can provide information about a topic, event, or situation to the reader.
- To persuade: Persuasive and argumentative essays aim to convince the reader to adopt a particular point of view or take a particular action.
- To entertain: Narrative essays can be written to entertain the reader with a story or personal experience.
- To describe: Descriptive essays aim to describe a person, place, or thing in detail, allowing the reader to visualize it in their mind.
- To analyze: Analytical essays require the writer to analyze and interpret a particular topic or issue.
- To compare and contrast: Compare and contrast essays aim to analyze the similarities and differences between two or more subjects.
- To explain: Expository essays aim to explain a topic or concept in depth.
- To define: Definition essays aim to define a term or concept in detail, often using examples to clarify the meaning.
Components of the Essay
The components of an essay typically include:
- Introduction: The introduction is the opening section of the essay, where the writer introduces the topic, provides background information, and presents the thesis statement.
- Thesis statement: The thesis statement is a clear and concise statement that expresses the main argument or point of the essay.
- Body paragraphs: The body paragraphs make up the main part of the essay and provide support for the thesis statement. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea or point, and include evidence, examples, and analysis to support the argument.
- Transitions: Transitions are words or phrases that connect one idea or paragraph to another, helping to create a smooth flow of information and ideas throughout the essay.
- Conclusion: The conclusion is the final section of the essay, where the writer summarizes the main points, restates the thesis statement, and provides a concluding statement or call to action.
- References or Works Cited: If the essay includes outside sources, the writer should include a list of references or works cited page at the end of the essay, following the citation style required by the assignment.
Important Difference Between Article and Essay
Here is a table that summarizes some important features and differences between an article and an essay:
| Features | Article | Essay |
| Purpose | Inform or persuade | Inform, persuade or entertain |
| Length | Typically shorter | Can be longer |
| Tone | Objective and factual | Can be subjective and personal |
| Audience | Wide and general | Specific or general |
| Structure | Headline, lead, body, conclusion | Introduction, body, conclusion |
| Thesis statement | Not always included | Always included |
| Evidence and examples | Used to support argument | Used to support argument and analysis |
| Transitions | Used to connect ideas | Used to connect ideas and paragraphs |
| References or citations | Optional | Required for outside sources |
| Writing style | Formal or informal | Formal |
Key Differences Between Article and Essay
Here are a few key differences between an article and an essay:
- Content: An article usually covers a wider range of topics and can include news, events, opinions, or discussions. In contrast, an essay typically focuses on a specific topic or question and provides a more detailed analysis or argument.
- Length: While an article can vary in length, it is typically shorter than an essay. An article may range from a few hundred words to a couple of thousand words, while an essay can be several thousand words or more.
- Style: The writing style of an article is typically more objective and factual, while an essay can be more subjective and personal. An article is often written in a formal or semi-formal style, whereas an essay can be written in a formal or informal style.
- Audience: An article is usually written for a wider and more general audience, whereas an essay can be written for a specific or general audience. An article may be written for a newspaper, magazine, or website, while an essay is usually written for an academic audience.
- Purpose: An article is usually written to inform or persuade readers about a particular topic, while an essay can serve various purposes such as informing, persuading, or entertaining readers. An essay can also be used to analyze or interpret a particular topic or issue.
Similarities Between Article and Essay
Despite their differences, articles and essays share some similarities:
- Clear Purpose: Both articles and essays have a clear purpose and are written with a specific audience in mind. Whether the goal is to inform, persuade, or entertain readers, both articles and essays are written to achieve a specific objective.
- Structured Format: Both articles and essays follow a structured format that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This format helps to organize the ideas and arguments presented in the piece of writing.
- Use of Evidence: Both articles and essays use evidence to support their claims. This evidence can come from a variety of sources such as personal experiences, research studies, or expert opinions.
- Writing Style: While the writing style of an article and an essay can differ, both types of writing require attention to style and language. Clarity, coherence, and conciseness are important elements of both forms of writing.
- Effective Communication: Both articles and essays aim to communicate information, ideas, or opinions to a reader. Whether the topic is news, politics, culture, or education, effective communication is key to creating a successful article or essay.
Conclusion Between Article and Essay
In conclusion, both articles and essays are important forms of written communication that serve different purposes. Articles are typically shorter, more objective, and cover a wider range of topics for a more general audience. Essays, on the other hand, are longer, more subjective, and focus on a specific topic or question for a more specialized audience.
Both forms of writing require a clear purpose, structured format, use of evidence, attention to writing style, and effective communication to achieve their goals. Whether you are writing an article or an essay, it is important to know your audience and tailor your writing style and content accordingly to engage and inform your readers.
