by Kimberly A. Smith

Created on: March 30, 2008

The Helium User Guide freely mentions the word "article" but never defines it. With the wide variety of topics available to write on, it can be difficult to see how they relate to each other. Helium writers are composing articles every day, but what is it that they are writing? What truly defines an article?

Dictionary.com defines it as "a written composition in prose, usually nonfiction, on a specific topic, forming an independent part of a book or other publication, as a newspaper or magazine." Your article is simply your unique point of view on a particular topic, written within a larger group of writing such as the Helium website. It must be a complete thought that stands on its own, despite being contained in a larger body of work.

As a nonfiction writer, make sure that your article is as accurate as possible. If you are writing to a topic that requires research, spend the time checking your facts and citing your sources. Be a trustworthy source of information to keep readers coming back to your articles.

How do you know if you are creating a persuasive article that will rate well with readers? Begin by looking at the lead paragraph. The best articles have a strong hook that draws readers in and convinces them to read more. The internet has changed the way people read, and often less time is spent assessing whether it is worth their time. Make sure your very first sentence is as powerful as it can be.

A strong Helium article conveys a concise point and is relevant to the topic it is published under. Find one main point to write about - a few hundred words may not be enough to write everything you know about fitness, however it could be plenty to describe how the reader can choose the right gym for their goals. Take the time to search the site and find the best area to post your article. Often, there are a variety of similar topics available. Finding the best fit will help people find the article they need.

Grammar and spelling are key to writing an effective article. Frequent mistakes can make the reader distrust the source. Compose your article in a word processor and make sure to run your spell-checker. Proofread it before you post!

However you choose to spend your time at Helium, it can only improve the quality of your writing. Whether you participate in debates, write nonfiction articles, add creative writing pieces, or just read and learn, you will be acquiring information that can help you compose stronger articles in the future.

Happy writing!

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