🟦 Introduction
Hello, young journalist! 📝
Have you ever read a school magazine, a newspaper, or an online blog and thought, “Wow, this is interesting!”?
That’s because good articles are written to inform, entertain, persuade, or educate readers in a lively way.
Today, we’ll learn how to write engaging articles — whether for a school magazine, a newspaper, or even a community newsletter.
By the end of this lesson, you’ll know how to plan, structure, and write articles that catch readers’ attention — and also meet BECE expectations.
🟩 Key Concepts and Explanations
What is an Article?
An article is a piece of writing published in a magazine, newspaper, or online platform.
It usually shares information, gives opinions, or entertains readers on a particular topic.
✅ Tip: A good article is interesting, organized, and easy to understand.
Common Types of Articles in BECE
| Type of Article | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Informative Article | To give information on a topic (e.g., effects of pollution) |
| Persuasive Article | To convince readers to agree with your view (e.g., Why students should plant trees) |
| Descriptive Article | To describe an event or place vividly (e.g., A Visit to Kakum National Park) |
| Narrative Article | To tell a real-life story or personal experience (e.g., How I Learned to Swim) |
Structure of a Good Article
| Part | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Short, catchy, and related to the topic (capitalized or underlined) |
| Introduction | Grab readers’ attention and introduce the topic |
| Body | 2–4 paragraphs giving facts, examples, opinions |
| Conclusion | Summarize main points and end with a strong closing thought |
✅ Tip: Articles allow you to show some creativity — but stay organized and logical!
Features of a Good Article
Clear Title: Tells readers what the article is about.
Engaging Introduction: Makes readers want to continue.
Logical Flow: Ideas move smoothly from one paragraph to the next.
Simple, lively language: Avoid boring, long sentences.
Examples and Evidence: Support points with real examples.
Personal Touch (optional): Share your thoughts briefly if allowed.
🟨 Sample Problem Walkthroughs
✍️ Example 1: Informative Article
Task: Write an article for your school magazine on “The Importance of Physical Exercise.”
Outline:
Title: THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE
Introduction:
Start with a strong statement: “A healthy body makes a healthy mind.”
Briefly state why exercise is important.
Body:
Paragraph 1: Health benefits (e.g., strong muscles, good heart).
Paragraph 2: Mental benefits (e.g., reduces stress, boosts mood).
Paragraph 3: How students can include exercise in daily life.
Conclusion:
Encourage readers to start exercising today.
✅ Tip: Use simple examples like “morning jogging” or “playing football”!
✍️ Example 2: Persuasive Article
Task: Write an article for a youth newspaper titled “Why Every Student Should Plant a Tree.”
Outline:
Title: WHY EVERY STUDENT SHOULD PLANT A TREE
Introduction:
Grab attention: “Imagine a world without trees…”
Body:
Paragraph 1: Trees provide oxygen and shade.
Paragraph 2: Planting trees fights climate change.
Paragraph 3: Students can start with small efforts.
Conclusion:
End with a strong call to action: “Let’s plant a greener future together!”
✅ Tip: Persuasive articles often use emotional appeals and strong words like “must,” “should,” and “essential.”
✍️ Example 3: Descriptive Article
Task: Write an article describing “A Memorable Day at the Beach.”
Outline:
Title: A MEMORABLE DAY AT THE BEACH
Introduction:
Set the scene with sensory details: “The golden sand stretched endlessly…”
Body:
Paragraph 1: Activities you enjoyed (swimming, building sandcastles).
Paragraph 2: Sights, sounds, and feelings (waves crashing, laughter).
Paragraph 3: Special memories (meeting new friends, sunset view).
Conclusion:
Reflect on why that day was unforgettable.
✅ Tip: Use vivid adjectives (sparkling, salty, scorching, gentle) to make descriptions lively!
🟨 Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | How to Fix It |
|---|---|
| Boring or vague title | Make it catchy and relevant |
| No clear paragraphs | Organize ideas properly |
| No real examples | Use real-life examples to support points |
| Ending weakly | End with a strong message or call to action |
🟨 Useful Phrases for Article Writing
| Situation | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Introducing | “In today’s world…” “It is important to understand that…” |
| Giving Examples | “For instance,” “A good example is…” |
| Persuading | “It is essential that we…” “We must not ignore…” |
| Describing | “The sky was painted in shades of orange…” |
| Concluding | “In conclusion, it is clear that…” “To sum up…” |
🟨 Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Informative Article
Write an article for your school magazine titled “How to Stay Healthy During Exams.”
✅ Points to cover:
Importance of rest, eating well, and exercise.
Managing stress.
Study techniques.
Exercise 2: Persuasive Article
Write an article encouraging students to participate in extra-curricular activities.
✅ Points to cover:
Benefits (leadership, teamwork, confidence).
Examples of activities (debating, drama, sports).
Personal experience if possible.
Exercise 3: Descriptive Article
Write a descriptive article about “A Rainy Day in My Town.”
✅ Points to cover:
How the town looked and felt.
People’s reactions to the rain.
Personal feelings during the rain.
🔁 Recap
Today, we learned:
What articles are and why they are important.
The structure of a good article: title, introduction, body, conclusion.
How to make writing interesting using examples, clear language, and strong endings.
Common mistakes to avoid when writing articles.
How to confidently approach article-writing questions in BECE!
🪞 Reflection Prompt
Imagine you have to write an article titled “The Best Day of My Life.”
List three moments or events you would describe in your article.
Which moment would you use in the introduction to hook your readers?
