A practical guide to writing an article

Articles serve as the fundamental building blocks of academic writing, forming the basis for various publications. A well-crafted monograph often organizes its content into chapters that mirror the structure of an article, and book chapters and sections similarly adhere to this foundational structure. The essential framework of an article serves as the starting point for developing a compelling research proposal.

Each section of an article fulfils specific functions:

1. The title and abstract aim to captivate readers, enticing them to delve into your work.

2. The introduction, body, and conclusions are designed to persuade, guiding readers toward agreement with your interpretations and theories.

3. The final bibliography and keywords contribute to indexing, ensuring that your article and its underlying research are easily accessible and consultable.

Academic texts fall within a distinct genre, and like any literary genre, academic articles adhere to certain conventions regarding structure, style, and methodology.

1. The structure involves the internal organisation of an article and its constituent elements.

2. Style encompasses the linguistic register and stylistic nuances characteristic of academia.

3. Method pertains to the specific research methodology employed, influenced by the discipline, domain, and research context.

Structure and style represent quasi-generic features common to most academic texts in the humanities, while method is a discipline-specific aspect shaped by the particulars of your research.

When composing an article, your primary goal should be to deliver what the reader anticipates. While incorporating unexpected elements and injecting your unique style can add authenticity, it is crucial to adhere to the formal criteria of structure and style to ensure the recognition of your work as a scientific article. Genre conformity necessitates adherence to acknowledged topical features.

In this regard, always prioritise conciseness and precision in style, facilitate readability through the use of signposts, and employ correct verbal tenses (opt for the present tense in theoretical contexts and the past tense in historical discussions). At the same time, strive to avoid redundancy in sentences, words, or clauses, the passive voice, unnecessary jargon, and repetitions by employing varied expressions. Remember, maintaining these guidelines enhances the overall quality and effectiveness of your article.

1. The introduction

According to Laplaca, Lindgrees, and Vanhammed (2018), an introduction serves four main purposes:

1. Presenting the research question or purpose of your article.

2. Establishing the frame of reference.

3. Identifying your contribution to the debate.

4. Justifying the relevance of your article.

In the context of a philosophy article, the introduction should consist of three parts. First, a brief discussion of the preliminary context, outlining the settings of your article. Second, the introduction of your research question, defining the problem your article aims to address. Third, the procedural steps, providing an organised and clear discussion of how you intend to achieve your aim.

Initiate your introduction by providing the reader with some preliminary context. Answer two crucial questions: What is the context of your research? What are the limitations of existing interpretations? Offer the theoretical context of your research question and position your contribution in the ongoing debate.

Make it explicit how your position differs from others and which positions and assumptions you challenge. Keep references to secondary literature selective and concise, focusing on the main points needed to persuade the reader of your paper’s originality and impact.

The research question takes center stage in your paper. Once you’ve established the context, present your research question concisely, clearly, and in an appealing manner, addressing the fundamental question: What do you aim to achieve?

Following the presentation of your goal, outline the procedure you adopt to demonstrate your claim. This corresponds to the pivotal question: How do you intend to achieve your aim? Align these procedural steps with the sections of your article, reflecting its internal structure while introducing the overall procedure adopted. Utilise signposts (firstly, … secondly, …) and employ concise, clear sentences to convey the significance of each procedural step for the overall achievement of your research aim.

2. The body of the article

The body of an article constitutes its primary component, representing the treatment of the research question in accordance with the procedural steps outlined in the introduction. The structure of the body varies based on the disciplinary context, adopted methodology, and individual research style, serving as a reflection of your approach, methods, and overall style.

When writing and refining the body of your article, adhere to the following guidelines. First, maintain coherence by ensuring that procedural steps align with corresponding sections. Second, stay focused and refrain from incorporating sections or paragraphs that lack direct relevance to your research question. Third, uphold a smooth narrative flow through the use of appropriate methods and style, aiming to sustain the reader’s interest throughout the entire article, from introduction to conclusions.

3. The conclusions

The conclusion marks the pinnacle of your article, and it is not merely a summary. Since the reader has just completed the article, there’s no need to rehash everything. Instead, focus on two key aspects:

1. Highlight the main theoretical gains you’ve presented, utilising the past tense.

2. Elucidate how your hypothesis, interpretation, or solution contributes to the ongoing debate.

However, a conclusion should not be treated as an epilogue. While persuasive tools can be employed throughout the article, avoid concluding with exaggerated claims, such as assuming your contribution has ‘solved it all.’ Remember that papers serve as openings rather than closures; indicate how your contribution can prove valuable in diverse contexts. Be assertive, yet maintain humility and avoid arrogance in your concluding remarks.

Reference

Karin De Boer, Guidelines on Writing Articles. KU Leuven, CS 2020.

Peter LaPlaca, Adam Lindgreen, & Joëlle Vanhammed, “How to write really good articles for premier academic journals”, Industrial Marketing Management 68 (2018): 202-209.

Helen Sword, Stylish Academic Writing. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2012.

“How to Write a Research Question“, The Writing Center of George Mason University (consulted on 19 October 2022).

©️Nicola Polloni
Latest update: February 2024