Introduction: Almost everyone of this web-based forum is a writer. We enjoy someone\'s articles but sometimes we feel bore to go through the article because of lengthiness or the style of writing. In this regard, I like to discuss on \'the way of writing\' from my theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Hope this attempt will enhance the quality of our writings.
Contents of an article: An article should have a meaningful title, an abstract (first paragraph), body texts and a conclusion. A reader first looks into the heading; if it creates an attraction then he goes through the first Para. For a busy reader, conclusion is also an important issue. The title, first Para and conclusion should be well written to encourage the readers to go through the whole article. Now concern is how you can create an excitation in the mind of a reader to complete reading of your article. That is the subject matter of this writing.
Steps of writing:
- First you need to consider who are the readers, where the article will be published? Based on the answers of that you should choose the size of article and the points to be described.
- Try to start with the body texts and make a rough structure of your article i.e. skeleton of the topic. The references, examples, data (if any) and other information on that topic should be collected to make the structure.
- After completing the body text, prepare the abstract which is the first paragraph of the article.
- At the end, you should have a conclusion within few sentences.
- Final task is to choose the meaningful TITLE.
Methods of writing:
- Body text: Every paragraph should have connectivity with the next Para. First sentence of the paragraph is the gist of that particular paragraph. Last sentence should be interconnected with the next paragraph. There should be a continuation and smoothness of description in the body texts. If you introduce any unusual words try to define that and some keywords should be explained well. Avoid the complex sentences.
- First paragraph (Abstract): There should be three parts in one paragraph (for short article). Ask yourself why you are writing the article, what is the purpose and how you can solve the problems or people can be benefited from your writing.
- Conclusion: Sentence of this paragraph should be arranged according to importance, the most important one at the beginning and so on. Remember this is the last attempt to attract a smart reader; he will decide whether he should read the whole article or not.
- Title: It must be precise, meaningful and attractive. Be flexible to select the title; do not fix your mind to a particular name before completing your draft.
Revisions:
- Draft 1: In the first revision check the above mentioned rules.
- Draft 2: Try to bring the smoothness by removing unnecessary words, sentences and paragraphs.
- Draft 3: Check grammar, spelling, references, etc.
- Final copy: Read slowly and ask yourself, am I satisfied? If not, find out the discontinuity in your writing. When you are satisfied give a copy to someone for feed back.
Conclusion: In case of technical writing, an introduction is to be added which is the elaboration of the abstract and the body text is to be the theoretical or experimental part. The whole idea of this article is to fasten our script within a standard format that can please a reader. Good luck!
* PhD Student, Canada, shaikh.akhlaque@gmail.com
Dhaka থেকে Engr Shahidul Hoque লিখেছেন,
