What Makes An Article Great?

CyberAlchemist · Jan 8, 2016

The question says it all. What is it that takes a piece from being passable (e.g. copyscape-passing, "native" English (or language of choice/need), on-topic, including pictures, charts/infographics, video, audio) to something more?

What makes an article great?

Sandra · Jan 11, 2016

Articles are the tool of the trade in this system. So the answer would be: it depends on what you want the article to accomplish.

From the structural point of view, an article is a short story. First paragraph opens the can of worms, the following paragraphs develop the idea, preferable using a structure that correlates with a mindmap so it is easier to understand/digest. And the last paragraph is the conclusion/call to action.

Now, as much as there is a structure for the information presented, there is also a structure for the emotions induced in the reader. The emotions are what keep the attention. This is probably what separates a useful article from a great article: the ride. A great article will thoughtfully (or intuitively) play the emotions of the reader. How to accomplish it? The voice is important, the general ambiance (font, length of paragraph, colors), and the careful use of charged words.

Finally, a great article needs to be written, and not re-written. What do I mean? It needs to propose a new idea, or a new twist, or a unique point of view over a subject. Research is not just to read the top 4 articles retrieved from google and mash the basic information together as a list.

Of course, this is just my opinion. And a very biased one to be honest.

I don't agree that being a native speaker is important. Being a writer is important. Mistakes can be solved through an editor, but lack of essence or rhythm... those can't be salvaged.

Ron Killian · Jan 12, 2016

Tough question to answer, varies to the audience. And there are fine examples of many different styles, length and information provided. Sure no one answer. Though most would say to write epic content. Like that really helps. Actually know a guy who recently wrote a blog post and focused on "Epic content", kind of funny

But hey, maybe it worked.

Actually think you hit on everything that could be included. You know what's needed.

Big thing I think SO many writers/bloggers miss is, injecting personality. So many articles drone on like a lecture. Like they are talking "at" you, instead of "to" you. Making it fun can make a big difference. Course my opinion.

If you want to know more, it's easy actually. Go to places like Reddit and check the most popular posts. Dissect them, to see why they are popular. For blog posts, check the comments, see what people are saying, they could be saying exactly why it's good, or outstanding. See what gets shared the most on social sites, same idea.

savidge4 · Jan 13, 2016

This really is a great question. What makes great content? Bottom line, remove the fluff, final answer... there are 3 elements that dictate "great" from ok to poor. Does it draw traffic? Is it being shared? Is it converting? ( whatever conversion looks like, and there are many ways to look at that )

How that looks? as varied as phone numbers - I don't know anyone that has the same number as someone else - LOL An image on Instagram could be great content. an article on Readit could be great content, a full blow 4000 word monster with all the visual ques you would ever want could be great content. According to my standards most everything published on Huffington Post would be great content <lowers head in shame>

Content is judged based on not for what it is, but how it is interacted with... I consider content to be living and breathing... it can have a life of its own, or be pronounced dead on arrival! so grim hahaha

Alex de Borba · Mar 5, 2016

As a writer, I would say attention to details, past background, curious facts and inside information. It depends of the audience, and since I write about cultural matters, I have a different approach and a different niche. I never worry to write what people want to read, but instead, I focuse on writing what I would like to read elsewhere, it becomes less saturating and stressful to write about what you enjoy other to be forced to follow a concept. Fortunately, there are so many categories that it allows me to chose freely what I wish to write about.

pablohunt2812 · Sep 4, 2016

Content is kingâ€ is one of the major web marketing clichÃ©s of our time, right up there with SEO is dead.â€

Following close behind, I think, is the recommendation to create great content.â€ Want tons of Google traffic, hot leads, record sales? Don't worry about SEO, conversion rate optimization, any of that, just create great content!

But what does that really mean? What makes content great, and what exactly is contentâ€ anyway?

Here's my definition: Contentâ€ is really just information really, simple as that! When you create content, you're putting information on your site. Some of it is intended to teach, some of it is intended to persuade, some of it is intended to entertain. And great content is information that succeeds at teaching, persuading or entertaining your visitors while also helping you meet your business goals.

To make this all a little more concrete, here are eight traits all words that end in ableâ€ you should strive to embody with your content. If your content meets all or even most of these standards, you're off to a great start!

dewspedjdxm · Oct 15, 2016

The article should add value to the website and has information that is useful to the visitors of website. Also perfect grammar and sentences should relate the subject covered in the article.

EpicGlobalWeb · Oct 22, 2016

Here are some easy to understand steps of a great article. I'll go over the English mechanics and outline, then the crescendo of events you must have, and emphasize it in the scope of SEO.

Mechanics:

1. Introduction of yourself and your point
2. Opinion of Point
3. Supporting Facts
4. Sources
5. Conclusion

Crescendo:

1. Introduction of yourself must include what you think the reason of why someone visited your page, in this case an article. Expound on it by reiterating what they are thinking by introducing yourself as an expert in the field and your company as an expert provider of solutions in said field.

2. Opinion: Make a large claim, controversial if possible. It doesn't have to be factual or even truthful. It needs to get attention. When you're in an environment where others contribute, such as a blog comment or forum post, the goal is to get engagement. You do this with opinions.

3. This is the internet. So you can always find a source to support your big claim. Support it with quotes of something someone else said.

4. Pressure the reader with a call to action by activating their pain points (again, try to know why they are reading your article in the first place to accomplish this best).

5. End with a second call to action to buy something, or at the very least a suggestion.

lovefoxycharms · Sep 3, 2017

For me, a great article is well-researched and full of relevant information! It should use clear terms and concepts and is direct to the point. There must be a catchy introduction, an interesting body and do not forget about the precise summary in th end. Save your article from unnecessary sentences or information and be careful of some spelling mistakes or typographical errors. After you make your article, rate it for yourself. Would you give it 5 stars if you were the one who read it? If not, then at least check your article again.

aljo67 · Sep 5, 2017

Authentic sources are an expectation of any article assignment. I think, the criteria for being information literate include knowing if the information is valuable and being able to evaluate sources of information.

wizard · Sep 18, 2017

What makes the article great? I think we must consider the Grammar; how they use the art of writings and the concept of the article and the parts of the article; the introduction and proposition, body, climax is important and conclusion. Philosophy are indeed need to make a good article you must have your own view and stand on you topic.

Ellyza de gala · Sep 27, 2017

Making great articles require simple yet creative content. As a reader I will identify if the content is readable or pleasing to the eyes. Adding of pictures or infographics is a good input too. Most of the time, I look into an article that is straight to the point, good grammar and can explain the content as simple as possible.

jaymish · Sep 27, 2017

That's a great question. I'm tempted to say a great article is one that nets you the most money. But that's from a purely commercial point of view.

I think a great article depends on the purpose intended for the article. For example, if it's an entertainment website, does it entertain? If it's an academic website does it offer a new hypothesis, if it's for copy does it respond to the call for action?

Personally, when I read an article, I prefer it to be short, funny and informative.

Doods01 · Oct 1, 2017

The articles makes it great if it is based on experience. With specific details of incident or memories. The writer should have the passion of what he is writing. With love and pour his emotion to the article that can make effect to the reader. I really love reading true stories. Documentaries about life and success. Which the subjects are real person. That is what the article great because of the subject itself.

24x7serverman · Oct 4, 2017

If you've posted quality contents in your article then it will definitely increase the traffic towards your blog. From SEO point of view, if the article has the contents with high rated keywords then it will put your website on top rank. Contents are king because this is the way to impress and invite valued customer towards you.

If there are quality contents in your article then no need of advertising too, you will automatically get the hits.

Now a days, best option for introducing your business is the social media now. Articles which you will placed on it will be followed by thousands of people at a time. It helps to increase the visitors. You can place any type of articles on the social media. You can place audio, video, images anything.

You can use the hash tags in it. Use maximum keywords while posting the articles.

jeksaturday · Oct 9, 2017

Its hard to say considering there are lots of niche variations and varies to the audience as well. And there are different styles, length and information provided. Writing articles is a very broad topic to begin with, no one knows for sure how an article is great. Just express the idea in straight manner and have the passion to do so.

kengetus31 · Oct 9, 2017

Honestly, there are many people who have different standard in deciding if an article is great. But for me, a great article is something that have genuine information and doesn't need a misleading headline to attract the readers. Technicalities like grammar,spelling, and even the punctuation are important because it shows how the writer is professional. The article should also be distinctive among the rest because readers won't be able to see it if their attention is not caught by it. The fact doesn't mean that you may put anything that can triggers the reader even if its lie, it would made the reader think they were deceived and the credibility as a writer would be in peril.

One of the basics is also to have a good flow of details in the article, it should be good to the eyes and easy to understand. If there are no direction in the flow of the details, then it would be confusing to follow. We never know how old is the reader that's why its also important to write in a way most of the people can relate to it. It is much better to have a wide range of generation of readers than focusing on single one. Lastly, choosing what kind of article is important, be it news, literary or whatever, if you think you can do it then try it, there's no harm in it

Nancy G · Nov 4, 2017

An article is considered great if it provides the necessary entertainment or value to its readers. It must be well written, free from gramatical or spelling errors and in a language easily understood. Content should be factual, not misleading, short but full of substance. It can be read in one sitting and attractive enough to engage reaction from the reader.

iamjd0127 · Nov 11, 2017

That quite general though. There are really lot of kinds of article there. Of course, if we talk about the language structure, your article should be free from grammatical errors, should follow the use of punctuation marks, and there are lot of them. Your thoughts should have unity and coherence. You should always state clearly your point, if possible you should keep it short and filter out and get only those necessary information and dump those that don't really add to the quality of your article. But there are times, when you really need to speak a lot especially when you're writing a review about a certain product, services, movies and other stuffs, because you really want to tell all about it, it's inevitable and unlikely to have a short article in such kind.
But for me, the real measure to it is how did your readers learn or like your article, so it is needed to get critics to know on what specific aspect do you lack of and to also get some ideas and tips to make our article be better.

neckom · Nov 14, 2017

hi,

To make an article effective you must have to improve your writing skills, improve grammar and many other tips. like as;

1 - Article start from a heading (Headline)
2 - Attractive Pictures (Visual Content) always helps you to attract your readers.
3 - Write long as you can but don't write boring stuff in your content.

What Makes An Article Great?

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