Lesson 5: Article Writing

🟦 Introduction

Have you seen articles in newspapers, magazines, or your school bulletin? They can inform, persuade, or entertain — but above all, they’re written with a reader in mind.

In WASSCE, you may be asked to:

Write an article for a newspaper, magazine, or school publication
Address a specific topic with strong opinions or advice
Use persuasive techniques or factual information
Write clearly with an introduction, body, and conclusion

This lesson will help you write engaging articles with structure, purpose, and voice — whether you’re discussing youth problems, giving advice, or raising awareness.

🟩 Key Concepts and Explanations

1. What Is an Article?

An article is a piece of writing meant for a wide audience, published in print or online. It can discuss social issues, share opinions, or inform readers about a topic.

2. Features of a Good Article

Feature	Purpose
Title	Short, catchy, and related to the topic (e.g., Say No to Drug Abuse)
By-line	Writer’s name, usually just below the title
Introduction	A hook to grab attention + state the topic
Body	Well-developed points (2–4 paragraphs) with examples, facts, or arguments
Conclusion	Summarize and leave the reader with a strong final thought
Tone	Depends on audience — can be serious, persuasive, or even humorous

3. Sample Article

**SAY NO TO DRUG ABUSE**

*By Kwame Mensah*

Drug abuse has become one of the most serious threats facing the youth today. Many young people are introduced to harmful substances due to peer pressure, curiosity, or stress.

The effects are devastating. Drug use can lead to poor health, school dropout, crime, and even death. Sadly, many young talents are lost to addiction every year.

We must act now. Parents, schools, and the government must work together to educate and protect the youth. Students, too, must learn to say “no” and choose better paths.

In conclusion, drug abuse destroys lives. Let’s raise our voices, support our friends, and stay clean. The future is too precious to waste.

4. Language Tips

Do	Don’t
Use simple, direct language	Don’t use slang or text abbreviations
Speak to the reader (use you, we, our)	Don’t be too academic or formal
Use rhetorical questions, repetition, or slogans	Don’t copy phrases from model essays without thought
Organize clearly with topic sentences	Don’t jumble all points into one long paragraph

🟨 Practice Exercises

✏️ Exercise 1: Pick the Best Title

Which of the following is the most suitable article title?

A. My Trip to the Village
B. Why We Must Save Our Forests
C. Letter to My Friend
D. The Story of My Pet Dog

✏️ Exercise 2: Rewrite the Introduction

Improve this article opening:

“People do drugs and that’s bad. It’s killing the youth and something must be done.”

✏️ Exercise 3: Write It Yourself

Write an article for your school magazine on the topic:
“The Importance of Reading Among Students.”
Your article should have a title, a by-line, and 3–4 well-structured paragraphs. (150–200 words)

✅ Answers and Explanations

Exercise 1: Best Title

✅ B – It introduces a social issue and invites the reader to think.
❌ A, C, D – These are more suitable for personal or narrative essays.

Exercise 2: Improved Version

“Drug abuse has become a growing danger to today’s youth. Every day, more students fall victim to substances that destroy their health, education, and future.”

Exercise 3: (Students’ articles may vary. Check for: clear structure, persuasive tone, appropriate title and by-line, and strong supporting points.)

🔁 Recap

You’ve learned:

What an article is and where it’s published
How to structure a compelling article from title to conclusion
How to write with clarity, persuasion, and purpose
The difference between personal storytelling and public writing

🪞 Reflection Prompt

Think about a topic that matters to students (e.g., exam stress, social media use, peer pressure).
Write a title and a strong opening sentence you would use if writing an article on it.

Shopping cart

Hello There!

Information

Follow Us

About

Quick links

Our Newsletter