Article writing

An article is non-fiction prose in a newspaper, magazine or online; articles are the larger umbrella over features and editorials. It presents views, facts and analysis leading to a conclusion — more serious and thought-provoking than a feature.

You need not be an expert: research the topic, read similar articles, draw an outline of all aspects, and use only the material that supports your analysis.

In 'Tree, Most Majestic', Shantha Bhushan recalls a 10-day trek to the Sonanadi sanctuary: by the fourth day the group was hooked on bird watching.

Beside an old guest house the British had put up over 80 years earlier, a fig tree fed hornbills and tiny sunbirds without asking anything back; the writer came home 'transformed' and started a 'Fig tree club'.

Structure: a lead that draws the reader in (here a personal memory), a body that develops the most exciting part with reasons, and an end (here an action). Give it an attractive title.