Writing the Five Essentials

The five essential questions to be answered in your article are WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHY and WHEN.

The five Ws must be considered carefully when you are gathering your research, plus using the five Ws is an excellent way to organise your material.

Here is an example of two very effective lines:

Barb Clews, author, has sold the film rights to her latest novel to XYZ Studios for $2.5 million, it was announced yesterday.

  • Who? Barb Clews
  • What? Sold film rights to her latest novel
  • Where? XYZ Studios
  • Why? For $2.5 million
  • When? Yesterday
Although this is considered a newspaper style of writing, you should aim to present the facts cleanly and concisely.

Articles in magazines are traditionally longer than newspaper stories so you will have some extra space to get your message across. But you must not lose sight of this tight way of communicating.

Don't bury any of the five Ws under lots of unnecessary words. You don't want your readers to work hard to find the gems of information. They should be presented in an attractive style that makes the reading process inviting, quick and rewarding.

Editors will not buy your work if you leave vital pieces of information until the end of your article. If your article has a weak lead (beginning) and a "fluffy" middle where the interesting bits have been completely camouflaged, the editor and the readers will never get to the end of the article.

A good exercise is to cut articles from newspapers and magazines and completely dissect them to see how the five Ws have been included. List the five Ws and in which paragraphs they are revealed. I think you will find they are quite close to the beginning of the article.

barb clews is an award winning journalist with nearly 1,000 published articles to her credit. She has been a writer and editor for 15 years and is the author of "Article Writing for Freelancers" and "20 Tips to Increase Writing Skills" Visit barb clews to subscribe to "Words that Work", Barb's monthly ezine packed with tips for writers.

emergency cleaning services Glenview ..
In The News:

Google search scam alert: fake customer service numbers can give scammers remote control of your phone. Learn how to spot these traps and protect yourself.
Electric vehicles overtake gas cars in total CO2 savings after just two years of driving, with emissions benefits growing over time as power grids get cleaner.
Louvre Museum reportedly used "Louvre" as password for surveillance system during $100M jewel heist. Learn how weak passwords put even famous institutions at risk.
Bipartisan AI jobs bill from Sens. Hawley and Warner would require companies to report AI-related layoffs and hiring to Department of Labor quarterly.
Joe A. from Shelton, Connecticut, lost $228,000 to a ZAP Solutions cryptocurrency investment scam after his divorce, highlighting rising online fraud.
AI-powered autonomous trucks from Waabi and Volvo target U.S. freight driver shortage with Level 4 self-driving technology and NVIDIA computing platform integration.
Survive flight disruptions with expert travel tips: Book early morning flights, download airline apps and know your refund rights during service cuts.
Apple's iOS 26.1 update delivers major security fixes, performance boosts and enhanced privacy controls for your iPhone. Discover why updating now protects your data.
Russian hackers use fake CAPTCHA tests to spread dangerous malware targeting governments and journalists. Learn how to protect yourself from these deceptive attacks.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Miami-Dade debuts America's first autonomous police SUV with AI cameras, drone deployment and real-time crime detection in groundbreaking law enforcement pilot.
Bank impostor scams cost Americans $2.9 billion as criminals use AI voices and caller ID spoofing to steal life savings. Learn nine essential fraud protection tips.
Foreign-owned apps secretly harvest personal data from seniors, making them prime targets for scams. Learn how to protect your privacy and stop data brokers today.
Sens. Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal introduce bipartisan GUARD Act to protect minors from AI chatbots through mandatory age verification and disclosure requirements.
Ghost-tapping scammers exploit wireless technology to drain accounts through small transactions, but RFID-blocking wallets and transaction alerts can protect you.
French pilot project demonstrates wireless charging roads that can deliver over 300 kilowatts of power to EVs while driving, potentially eliminating range anxiety.
YouTube's Ghost Network spreads information-stealing malware through thousands of fake videos offering cracked software, using compromised accounts and fake engagement.
Protect your privacy by disabling your smart TV microphone. Most TVs have hidden mics that listen even when voice commands are off. Learn quick steps to stop unwanted audio capture.
SessionReaper vulnerability hits Magento and Adobe Commerce stores, compromising 250+ sites in one day. Hackers steal data and hijack shopping sessions.
Master essential parental controls and digital safety tools to protect your kids online. Learn screen time limits, location settings and privacy controls every parent needs.
Cybersecurity expert shares six essential steps to protect against dark web threats, including data removal services, password managers and antivirus software.
NVIDIA GPU space mission could revolutionize cloud services by enabling orbital data centers that make apps, games and AI tools faster and more efficient.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Microsoft warns Windows 10 users face serious security risks as 90% of ransomware attacks target unsupported systems. Learn why upgrading to Windows 11 is crucial.
Nike unveils Project Amplify, revolutionary motorized shoes developed with Dephy that add powered assistance to every step for runners and walkers.

How To Master Article Writing To Get More Traffic

If you are starving for traffic, can't seem to consistently... Read More

Article Marketing Interview With Kevin Bidwell

Recently I interviewed Kevin Bidwell of All-In-One-Business.com on some of... Read More

Writing Articles for Ranking

I have seen the question asked so many times. How... Read More

In Search Of Ideas For Articles

Finding something to write about can be frustrating for all... Read More

Writing Articles for Ezines ? The Greatest Little Known Secret

Well maybe it's not that "little known" but some people... Read More

So You Want to Be a Web Copywriter?

I get tons of emails from people who want to... Read More

The Raw Truth About Persuasion and Copywriting!

I get asked all the time, "Lorrie, how can I... Read More

An Article

People love to hear stories. They'll identify with what you... Read More

Finding Your Way Through Online Articles

For me, to decide to start a home business was... Read More

5 Powerful Article Writing Tips

Writing articles is one of the most powerful, if not... Read More

Write Your Slice of Life: 6 Quick and Easy Steps to Writing a Personal Essay

Do you know why the "Chicken Soup for the Soul"... Read More

15 Questions To Instantly Help You Write A Tips Booklet

1. What is the single most compelling subject from your... Read More

How I Write Articles For Profit

Most Internet marketers worth their salt know how effective articles... Read More

Letters to the Editor: Having Your Say

Writing a letter to your newspaper's editor is a privilege... Read More

Dont Miss These 10 Must Know Facts About Promoting Your Website with Article Writing

Most all ezine publishers need fresh content. Article writing is... Read More

How to Use Articles to Generate Free Traffic to Your Website

Writing articles that are available for reprint is an excellent... Read More

How to Write Articles that Sell

In order to sell your article must do three things:1.... Read More

Five Reasons You Should Write to Help Your Business

Most business owners are overwhelmed with the day to day... Read More

Top Ten Reasons to Write Articles for Free Publication Online

Many writers struggle with the decision of whether or not... Read More

How to Measure the Value of Your Article Marketing Campaign

It's not enough to scatter your articles across the internet... Read More

Increase Your Visitors By Writing Articles

If you want to increase the amount of visitors to... Read More

How to Write a Short Article Under 500 Words

Online publishers, ezine subscribers, and Web visitors want short, useful... Read More

Writing Articles To Build Your Online Presence - A Beginners Guide

One of the most effective (and free!) ways to get... Read More

Articles: How To Turbo Charge Traffic When Your Promotion Budget Is Tiny

Writing articles for your site and for the use of... Read More

How To Submit Your Articles To Article Announcement Lists

Get the Facts you need to start promoting you free... Read More

full-service cleaning Arlington Heights ..