Working From Home Tips - Eight Easy Steps to Writing an Article for Children

Eight Easy Steps to Writing an Article for Children

Here are some tips. But you're not sure how to go about it, maybe you have an idea. Have you thought about writing an article for a children's magazine?

. Science and how-to articles are all popular choices, famous people, sports, animals. But it should also be something you know about or are interested in learning more about. It should be something that many children will be interested in. Choose a topic. Step One.

" was published by Children's Digest, "Dinner at Ding Darling, the article. So I honed in on how different birds there eat, this was still too broad a topic. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, so I decided to concentrate on the birds I saw in one place, i'd just returned from Florida. I wanted to write an article about birds. Concentrate on just one aspect of it. Narrow your topic. Step Two.

Kids like the amazing as well as the gross. Find facts with wow appeal and yuck appeal. Look for interesting little tidbits that will appeal to kids. Editors like a mix of print and Internet sources in a bibliography. Use both online resources and books and articles. Research your article. Step Three.

The article seems to almost write itself, once my outline is done. I love outlines. It just needs to get your thoughts in order. It doesn't have to be a formal outline. Then go through your notes and plug them into your outline, jot down the main points you want to make. Organize your research. Step Four.

Children are intimidated by large blocks of type. Use short paragraphs. Keep your sentences simple and fairly short. Don't talk down to kids but try to use words that age child would know and understand. Then try to keep your writing on that level, decide what age you are writing for. Write the article. Step Five.

Be very sure there are no errors in spelling or grammar. That will enable you to notice the rhythm and to find repeated words. Read it aloud to yourself, to make sure it flows smoothly. Revise and edit your article. Step Six.

And on a topic the magazine uses, for the right age, make sure your article is the right length. Get a copy of Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market or research children's publishers online. Research the markets. Step Seven.

Then get busy writing another one. Submit your article. Step Eight.

You can be successful at writing articles for children, with a little work and practice. Try it! Sound simple?