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When we write for Helium, like any other competitive venue, there is an art to ensuring that our articles will reach top rank. With careful consideration and effort, some of our articles can become number one and many of the rest can be in the top 75% of the titles to which we contribute.

By thinking about how we rate other writers' work, we can best assess what to do in order to improve our own writing. Poorly formatted articles that begin as if in the middle of a sentence and are rampant with grammatical errors will end up at the bottom of the ranking heap, but there are other, more subtle, reasons an article might not be first choice in rating.

Here are some things to consider when writing an article for Helium:

* Follow the Helium writing guidelines

Each writing venue has its own guidelines and preferences of presentation. By scrupulously reading the Helium rules for article submission and following them to the letter, we can be sure that raters will not find our articles lacking quality on some level.

Formatting, punctuation, spelling and grammar errors are all easy to see infractions. Do not rely on spell check or any automated editing tool. Carefully edit the article before submission and review again after submission to ensure everything transferred properly and looks exactly as intended.

* Evaluate the title

Often understanding the title is the key to success. If the title promises "tips" or "how to" directions, that dictates an article with sub-headings and information pertaining to them underneath. The reader's eye can go directly to the information sought using this format.

Unless the title indicates "memoir" or "testimony," refrain from too much personal experience in the content. Establishing credibility by alluding to experience or expertise is permissible, but too much reference to "I" and "me" would be too much personal information.

Interpreting the title correctly is imperative to garnering a high rank

* Organize presentation

Have a good opening paragraph which alludes to the title subject so the reader knows the article contains his expectations of the title. Keep paragraphs short and insure the information in each one connects to the previous paragraph to demonstrate continuity of thought. The length of the article should meet Helium criteria; no shorter than 400 or longer than 1500 words in paragraphs of five or six lines for ease of reading. The closing paragraph should recap the premise of the article.

In the process of final editing, ask the questions prompted by the title and double check to see if all those questions have been answered within the article. Always research thoroughly to insure accuracy of information contained in the article.

* Honest assessment of content

Articles appearing on the Helium site are intended to be informative, interesting or entertaining. Too much bias, prejudice or personal opinion will not help an article appeal to readers. Even when a title appears to be asking for personal opinion, inserting too strong a stand on religion or personal politics will not be favorable with all readers or raters.

Good writers are able to be informative without exposing strong personal views.

After completing an article, it is a good idea to read it aloud to yourself or another person to insure your thoughts translated correctly to paper. This is also a good way to pick up awkward phrases, run-on sentences and other covert infractions.

If your Helium article is easy to read, formatted properly, free of grammatical errors, correlates title and content sufficiently, informs, or entertains appropriately and contains accurate information it will surely garner a high rank, gain exposure and earn monies and recognition for your efforts.

Learn more about this author, Carol Gioia.
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