by Gillian Taber

Created on: June 04, 2009   Last Updated: June 05, 2009

There are certain factors that elevate one article above another. The subject matter may be the same but the way an article is written makes all the difference to how one is rated above the other. Presentation, content and attention to detail should be the watch words of anyone wanting to write an article for Helium.com.

Presentation

One of the most valuable lessons a Helium writer needs to learn is 'Don't treat your article like a piece of fiction'. It is perfectly acceptable to write large paragraphs and have dense descriptions and long sentences in fiction. Writing an article is a different world and must be approached as such.

Studies have shown that Internet users prefer their information to come in 'bite-sized chunks'. They prefer clear, short sentences. Short paragraphs are easier on the eye and don't make the reader feel overwhelmed with information in one hit.

Another point to remember is that the reader is looking for information pertinent to them as an individual. Resist peppering your information articles with the 'I' perspective. Write from an objective standpoint and leave personal opinions out unless they are actually called for.

Overuse of bullet points and lists is another habit to avoid. Most information can be given without turning the article into something resembling an examination or multiple choice paper. Only use these methods when it is vital to clear presentation of facts and figures.

Grammar and writing

The importance of grammar cannot be overstated. In today's society of text speak and lazy grammatical habits, it is easy to let this creep into your writing. Stamp it out, fast. What a reader may accept in every day speech is not what they want when they are looking for information.

Given a choice between two articles, one with excellent grammar and presentation, the other with errors and poor presentation, the reader will go for the former. Why? Because, no matter how prejudices have broken down, good spelling and grammar still speak of someone who is well read and likely to give reliable, factual information.

Use the tools available. Spellcheck in Word and do it again with the Google spellchecker once you transfer your article to the website. Then do it again under your own power. Sometimes, wonderful as spellcheck is, it can miss the difference between 'too' and 'two'. Read it back for yourself and catch those small errors before you post.

Writing is probably something we do almost on automatic pilot. We assume we know

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