An article works when it is written for one reader, with one main point, in a clear order. Plan from the reader backwards: who is reading, what do they need, and what single point should they remember?
This lesson opens extended writing. Tidy paragraphs also need clear topic sentences and transitions.
What is the planning sequence?
- Name the reader and what they care about.
- Write the main point in one sentence.
- Choose three supports: reasons, examples or facts.
- Decide the opening hook and the closing thought.
Worked example: sleeping earlier
This is an original task: write an article for the school magazine about going to bed earlier.
Plan. Main point: going to bed earlier helps you learn better the next day. Supports: concentration in class, mood, and the morning rush.
Opening for Form 1 students. “Have you ever nodded off in the middle of Science? Your teacher noticed, and so did your friends. Going to bed thirty minutes earlier could be the easiest fix you try this term.”
Opening for parents. “Is your child tired in the morning and hard to wake? A small change in bedtime can make school mornings calmer for the whole family.”
The main point and supports are the same. The hook, the examples and the tone change. The first speaks to a student’s own embarrassment. The second speaks to family routine.
The mistake: writing for no one
A student lists the benefits of sleep with no reader in mind. The piece is correct, but it could appear in any magazine, so it feels flat.
| Feature | Writing for no one | Writing for Form 1 students |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | “Sleep is important.” | A scene they recognise |
| Example | “Everyone knows…” | “In the middle of Science” |
| Closing | “Finally, sleep matters.” | A small challenge to try tonight |
The fix is a reader test: read each paragraph aloud as if to that reader, and ask whether they would keep listening.
Check yourself
Write a two-sentence opening for the same article, aimed at teachers. Start with a hook.
Answer
One possible answer: “By the last period, how many of your students are still listening? A steady bedtime routine at home may matter as much as any lesson plan you write.”
It speaks to the teacher’s daily experience, asks a question and leads to the main point. Other openings are fine if they suit teachers and lead to the same point.
What to study next
Move on to writing a review with specific evaluation, or see comparing writing genres before choosing a task if you often choose the wrong genre.
Check your plan with the English writing task checklist. For a teacher to read your articles, see online one-to-one English tuition.