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Steps for Writing an Article for Trade Publications or Journals
Steps for Writing an Article for Trade Publications or Journals
If you have been asked to write an article, think about the best format for your topic: it could be a guide to purchasing a certain type of product or service, a profile of a specific industry sector, or an interview with a leader in the field. If you have an idea for an article you’d like to write, discuss the topic with the editor and be receptive to the editor’s suggestions. He or she makes the final decision about which articles are published.
Begin your article by creating an outline listing all of the information or ideas you want to include. Ensure your ideas flow logically and that you provide a transition from one subject or idea to the next. Your first paragraph should be an introduction and overview to your topic and include a “lead” sentence that will interest your audience and make them want to continue reading.
Follow your introduction with body of your article. The length of your article will be determined by the editor of the publication. Article are generally between 1,500 and 2,000 words, and are shorter for an online article. Each paragraph should cover only one subject or idea and the paragraphs should follow a logical sequence. You can use a keyword, phrase or idea at the end of one paragraph to provide a transition to the next paragraph. Your conclusion should follow logically from the body of the article, summarize your main points and suggest other related topics for readers to explore.
As always be sure to proofread your work! Don’t rely on spell check or grammar software to do your work for you. Ensure your grammar and punctuation are correct and format your article according to the guidelines provided. Be sure to cite borrowed ideas and quotations correctly in the body of the article and in a reference list at its end using the style required by the submission guidelines.
Audience, Purpose, & Style
Audience, Purpose, & Style
Audience
Audience
Colleagues in your field
Construction Management students, faculty and staff doing research
Industry groups - either broad or specialty groups
Public interest and promotion of a project, platform or position to a broad public audience
Competition submission review committees
Purpose
Purpose
To inform others in your field or with an interest in your topic about your research or projects in which you are involved
For academics, to meet tenure requirements
For publicity and self-promotion
To convey project attributes of interest to the intended audience
To promote a system, product or process
Style
Style
As required by individual professional and academic journals or publications
White paper standards
Press release standards
Competition guidelines
Checklist
Checklist
I. Analysis
What is the purpose of the article?
What is the focus of the article?
Who is the target audience?
II. Evaluation
Content
Is the topic of interest to your target readers?
Have you addressed the needs of your target audience?
When you describe potential problems your readers might encounter, have you also provided solutions to every problem you have discussed?
If you used other sources to write your article, have you credited those sources?
Have you included images and links to other posts or web sites with related content? Have you checked links for accuracy?
Style
Is your content’s style compatible with that of the journal or trade publication to which you are submitting your article?
Have you used a professional tone throughout the article?
Have you used technical terms or acronyms only when necessary?
Appearance
Have you used font types, sizes and colors that are compatible with that of your host’s website or publication?
Are links to related websites and other resources clearly accessible?
Have you proofread your work for grammar and spelling errors?
Examples
Examples
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