by David Dewitt

Created on: May 16, 2009

A high quality article is a lot like a soundly structured building. There are specific essentials that go into both an architectural plan and essentials that contribute to a quality article. Knowing the basics of building can help writers build articles that have lasting value and genuine strength.

What are the basic aspects of a building design? There are three main aspects to designing a building: foundation, walls and support structure, and the roof. These three components are essential for every building design.

The foundation provides the base from which to build. The foundation is the basic structure that the remainder of the building rests upon. Without a good foundation, nothing else about the building will have the strength it needs to stand. The walls and support structure form the inner shell of the building and provide support for the roof. The walls provide protection and durability to the whole of the building. The roof provides protection of the building from the elements and gives covering to the entire structure.

What does this have to do with writing and the construction of articles? There are three basic components to a good article. These components are the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

The introduction serves as the foundation of the article. The rest of the writing is built off of the premise proposed in the introduction. The introduction serves as the opening of the article and tells the reader where they are headed with the article. The introduction must capture the attention and interest of the audience.

The introduction needs to not only stimulate the interest of the reader but also make them want to read what the writer has to say. By creating a desire within the reader, the writer is able to move the readers with them through the journey of the article.

The body acts much like the walls or support structure for the article. The purpose of the body is to connect the basic points of the introduction in a logical manner that directs the reader to the intended conclusion.

The body is the main section of the article. The body should use various facts and statements to build the listeners to a climax. The body can build point upon point to draw the listeners to the position of discovery. The body helps guide the listeners to the intended destination.

The conclusion acts as the ceiling or roof for the article. Just as the introduction formed the foundation of the piece, the conclusion brings the article to completion. The finishing of the roof announces the completion of a building.

The writer must carefully choose the manner of conclusion to fit with the rest of the article. However, the purpose is always the same, draw the listeners to one final focus. The conclusion should be meaningful and leave the listeners at the intended point of completion.

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