✏️ WritingGrade 4Lesson 26
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Compose Articles or Blog Posts

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Identify the key structural parts of an article or blog post
  • 2Write an article using a headline, lead, body, and conclusion
  • 3Adapt tone and vocabulary for a chosen audience and platform
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Mini Lesson

Articles and blog posts inform, entertain, or persuade a specific audience. Both share a clear structure: a headline that grabs attention, a lead that hooks the reader, a body with detailed information, and a conclusion that rounds off the piece.

The Four-Part Structure

  1. Headline — a short, catchy title that tells the reader what the piece is about.
  2. Lead (opening paragraph) — answers Who, What, Where, When, Why in 1-3 sentences.
  3. Body — develops the topic with facts, examples, quotes, and explanations in paragraphs.
  4. Conclusion — summarizes the key point or leaves the reader with something to think about.

Articles vs Blog Posts

  • Articles (newspapers/magazines): formal or semi-formal tone, third person, fact-based.
  • Blog posts: can be personal, use first person (I, we), more conversational and opinionated.
  • Both need a clear purpose — inform, persuade, or entertain.

Writing a Strong Headline

  • Use active verbs: "Scientists Discover New Species" not "New Species Was Discovered".
  • Keep it under 10 words where possible.
  • Create curiosity without being misleading.
Article / Blog Post StructureStacked blocks showing the four-part structure of an article: headline, lead, body paragraph 1, body paragraph 2, and conclusion.Article / Blog Post StructureHEADLINEShort, catchy, active verbLEADWho? What? Where? When? Why?BODY P1First key point with factsBODY P2Second key point with examplesCONCLUSIONSummary or thought-provoking endTip: Write the headline lastOnce the article is complete, you know the best headline.
Headline, lead, body, conclusion — the four-part frame.
Article vs Blog PostSide-by-side comparison of news article and blog post features: tone, person, style, and platform.Article vs Blog PostNews ArticleBlog PostFormal / semi-formal toneConversational toneThird person (he/she/they)First person (I, we, my)Fact-based, objectivePersonal + opinionatedNewspaper / magazineOnline platform / websiteBoth: Headline, Lead, Body, ConclusionPurpose of BothInform, entertain, or persuade a specific audience
Same structure, different voice and platform.
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Tip: Write the headline last — once the article is complete, you will know the most important point to highlight.

Vocabulary
article
A short piece of writing for a newspaper, magazine, or website.e.g. He read an article about space exploration.
blog post
An article published on a blog, often in a personal voice.e.g. Her blog post shared travel tips.
headline
The title of an article, made to grab attention.e.g. "City Plants 1000 Trees" is a strong headline.
lead
The first sentence or paragraph that hooks the reader.e.g. A clear lead tells what the article is about.
body
The main part of the article that gives details.e.g. The body explained the project step by step.
audience
The readers the writer has in mind.e.g. A blog for kids uses simpler vocabulary.
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← Lesson 25: Write Formal and Informal LettersLesson 27: Create Ads, Flyers, or Posters →