write a short article about your school

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications

How to Write an Article for Your School Newspaper

Last Updated: March 1, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Gerald Posner . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 599,865 times.

Writing an article for your school newspaper can be exciting and rewarding, especially once you see your name in print! If you don't already belong to your school newspaper, you may need to try out or talk to the editor about submitting some sample pieces. To write an article, you'll need to decide which type of article you'd like to write, check on submission guidelines, research your topic, interview sources, and write it in the proper newspaper format.

Joining the Team and Writing Different Types of Articles

• Check to see if there are deadlines for turning in mock articles, what the editor is looking for in a new staff member, and if there are any meetings you can attend to get more information.

• If you've been on staff for a while, you may have the freedom to choose your own article topics. But until you know your position, it's always a good idea to ask for assignments.

• Feature stories are the largest articles in a newspaper, and they often go beyond simple facts to the reasons behind something, like why an event happened and what it means for students moving forward.
• An example of a feature story would be an article about a new scholarship being offered in your state. How it works, who is eligible, and facts about the work that went into making the scholarship program a reality would make a compelling story.

• News articles are generally more straight-forward than feature stories or opinion articles. They convey relevant information in an unbiased way.

• For example, you could write an editorial about school rules, events or groups on campus, sports, programs, or teaching methods.

• If you want to be a regular columnist for your school newspaper, present a plan to your editor for a series of articles that you'd like to work on. For example, you could propose a 4-week series about starting a club or practicing self-care.

• For example, you could write an article called “Top 10 Tips to Manage Stress,” “How to Develop Good Study Habits,” or “How to Get in Shape before Tryouts.”

• For example, if you review a new movie that came out, you could write about who would most enjoy the film. Perhaps it would be great for someone who likes action movies but not as enjoyable for someone who prefers comedies.

Researching, Interviewing, and Fact Gathering

• Talk to your editor, production manager, or faculty advisor for more information.

• Who? Find out who was involved, whether that would be students, administrators, or other people in your community.
• What? Write down exactly what it is that you are writing about. Is it an event, a person, or an idea? Be as specific as possible.
• Where? Identify where the event took place. Is this a subject that is particular to your school or community, or is it a national subject?
• When? Make note of important dates and times.
• Why? Determine the reasons behind the subject. Was there a catalyst?
• How? Connect the rest of your information together to determine how an event or subject came together.

• When contacting a person for an interview, let them know who you are and what topic you're writing about, and give them an estimate of how much of their time you'll need.
• When you finish an interview, take 10 minutes to write down additional notes right away. They'll be fresh in your mind and you'll be less likely to forget important details.

• Ask if you have someone's permission to use their name and words in your article, and write down their quote verbatim. You can use anonymous sources, but quotes are more compelling when they can be traced back to a specific individual.

• Fact-checking makes you a more trustworthy writer and ensures that you're taking the time to communicate as truthfully as you can about any particular subject.

• Some reporters dictate notes to themselves or write out daily logs about their interviews and research. Figure out what works for you and your lifestyle, and then stick to it.

Writing the Article

• A lot of times, readers will decide if they want to continue reading an article based off of the first sentence or two.

• Sometimes you'll come up with a great headline before you even write the article, but most often you won't know exactly what you're presenting until after you've written it. Try waiting until after you've written your article to come up with the headline, and then make sure it fits in with the given topic.

• People who want to know more about the topic will continue reading past those first 2 paragraphs, but people who just wanted the basic information will get their answers without having to search through the entire article.

• For example, instead of saying, “Principal Miller comes from rainy Washington state and had been teaching before becoming a principal for 15 years,” you could say something like, “Principal Miller previously lived in Washington, and she has over 15 years of experience in the educational system."

• Always ask for permission to quote someone when you're interviewing them.

• Being able to proofread your own work is an essential part of being a successful member of the newspaper staff, and the more you work at it, the better you'll get.

Expert Q&A

• Be careful when writing to avoid plagiarizing other sources. It's okay to use information from others, but make sure to reword it in your own way so it's unique and to cite sources when needed. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you're having trouble coming up with an idea for an article, ask for an assignment from the editor. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about writing as a career, check out our in-depth interview with Gerald Posner .

• ↑ https://www.pilinutpress.com/Articles/Writing/WritingArticlesfortheSchoolNewspaper.html
• ↑ https://makemynewspaper.com/how-to-start-a-school-newspaper/
• ↑ https://schools.firstnews.co.uk/blog/journalistic-writing/how-to-start-a-school-newspaper/
• ↑ https://study.com/learn/lesson/newspaper-article-format-examples.html
• ↑ https://blog.flipsnack.com/school-newspaper-guide/
• ↑ https://makemynewspaper.com/how-to-write-a-school-news-article
• ↑ https://www.aresearchguide.com/write-a-newspaper-article.html
• ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/the-secret-to-writing-great-headlines-2073697

About This Article

To write an article for your school newspaper, start with a lead paragraph that explains the who, what, where, when, and why of what you're writing about. Then, for the second and third paragraphs, include any additional facts and details that your readers should know. You can also include quotes from witnesses or school officials in this part of your article. Finally, conclude your article with the least important or relevant information. To learn how to research and come up with article ideas, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Ian Thompson

May 11, 2017

Did this article help you?

Lesley Seaton-Thorpe

Sep 24, 2018

Ashna Siddiqui

Oct 7, 2018

Apr 9, 2016

Shruti Seth

Aug 29, 2016

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

How to Write an Article

 THE CRAFT OF ARTICLE WRITING

Writing is a complex skill. A very complex skill.

Not only do we put students under pressure to master the inconsistent spelling patterns and complex grammar of the English language, but we require them to know how to write for a variety of purposes in both fiction and nonfiction genres.

On top of this, writing is just one aspect of one subject among many.

The best way to help our students to overcome the challenge of writing in any genre is to help them to break things down into their component parts and give them a basic formula to follow.

In this article, we will break article writing down into its components and present a formulaic approach that will provide a basic structure for our students to follow.

Once this structure is mastered, students can, of course, begin to play with things.

But, until then, there is plenty of room within the discipline of the basic structure for students to express themselves in the article form.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING NEWS REPORTING

With over  FORTY GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS in this  ENGAGING   UNIT, you can complete a  WEEKLY  journalistic / Newspaper reporting task  ALL YEAR LONG   as classwork or homework.

These templates take students through a  PROVEN  four-step article writing process on some  AMAZING  images. Students will learn how to.

WHAT IS AN ARTICLE?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines an article as, “a piece of writing on a particular subject in a newspaper or magazine, or on the internet.”

An article’s shape and structure will vary depending on whether it’s intended for publication in a newspaper, magazine, or online.

Each of these media has its own requirements. For example, a magazine feature article may go into great depth on a topic, allowing for long, evocative paragraphs of exposition, while an online blog article may be full of lots of short paragraphs that get to the point without too much fanfare.

Each of these forms makes different demands on the writer, and it’s for this reason that most newspapers, magazines, and big websites provide writers with specific submission guidelines.

So, with such diverse demands placed on article writers, how do we go about teaching the diverse skill required to our students?

Luckily, we can break most types of articles down into some common key features.

Below we’ll take a look at the most important of these, along with an activity to get your students practicing each aspect right away.

Finally, we’ll take a look at a few general tips on article writing.

KEY WRITTEN FEATURES OF AN ARTICLE

The headline.

The purpose of the headline is to capture the reader’s attention and let them know what the article is about. All of this in usually no more than 4 or 5 words!

There is an art to good headline writing and all sorts of literary devices (e.g alliteration and metaphor) can be used to create an eye-catching and intriguing headline.

The best way for students to learn how headlines work is to view some historical samples.

Newspaper headlines especially are known for being short and pithy. Here are just a few examples to whet the appetite:

• Hitler Is Dead
• Lincoln Shot
• Men Walk On The Moon
• Berlin Wall Crumbles

You could encourage students to find some pithy examples of their own. It’s amazing how much information can be condensed into so few words – this is the essence of good headline writing.

Headlines Practice Activity:

Give students opportunities to practice headline writing in isolation from article writing itself. For example, take sample stories from newspapers and magazines and challenge students to write new headlines for them. Set a word limit appropriate to the skills and age of the students. For example, younger, more inexperienced students might write 9-word headlines, while older, more skilled students might thrive with the challenge of a 4-word limit.

THE SUBHEADING

Subheadings give the reader more information on what the article is about. For this reason, they’re often a little longer than headlines and use a smaller font, though still larger (or in bold) than the font used in the body of the text.

Subheadings provide a little more of the necessary detail to inform readers what’s going on. If a headline is a jab, the subheading is the cross.

In magazines and online articles especially, there are often subheadings throughout the article. In this context, they let the reader know what each paragraph/section is about.

Subheadings also help the reader’s eye to scan the article and quickly get a sense of the story, for the writer they help immensely to organize the structure of the story.

Practice Activity:

One way to help organize paragraphs in an article is to use parallel structure.

Parallel structure is when we use similar words, phrases, and grammar structures. We might see this being used in a series of subheadings in a ‘How to’ article where the subheadings all start with an imperative such as choose , attach , cut , etc.

Have you noticed how all the sections in this ‘Key Features’ part of this article start simply with the word ‘The’? This is another example of a parallel structure.

Yet another example of parallel structure is when all the subheadings appear in the form of a question.

Whichever type of parallel structure students use, they need to be sure that they all in some way relate to the original title of the article.

To give students a chance to practice writing subheadings using parallel structure, instruct them to write subheadings for a piece of text that doesn’t already have them.

THE BODY PARAGRAPHS

Writing good, solid paragraphs is an art in itself. Luckily, you’ll find comprehensive guidance on this aspect of writing articles elsewhere on this site.

But, for now, let’s take a look at some general considerations for students when writing articles.

The length of the paragraphs will depend on the medium. For example, for online articles paragraphs are generally brief and to the point. Usually no more than a sentence or two and rarely more than five.

This style is often replicated in newspapers and magazines of a more tabloid nature.

Short paragraphs allow for more white space on the page or screen. This is much less daunting for the reader and makes it easier for them to focus their attention on what’s being said – a crucial advantage in these attention-hungry times.

Lots of white space makes articles much more readable on devices with smaller screens such as phones and tablets. Chunking information into brief paragraphs enables online readers to scan articles more quickly too, which is how much of the information on the internet is consumed – I do hope you’re not scanning this!

Conversely, articles that are written more formally, for example, academic articles, can benefit from longer paragraphs which allow for more space to provide supporting evidence for the topic sentence.

Deciding on the length of paragraphs in an article can be done by first thinking about the intended audience, the purpose of the article, as well as the nature of the information to be communicated.

A fun activity to practice paragraphing is to organize your students into groups and provide them with a copy of an article with the original paragraph breaks removed. In their groups, students read the article and decide on where they think the paragraphs should go.

To do this successfully, they’ll need to consider the type of publication they think the article is intended for, the purpose of the article, the language level, and the nature of the information.

When the groups have finished adding in their paragraph breaks they can share and compare their decisions with the other groups before you finally reveal where the breaks were in the original article.

Article Photos and Captions

Photos and captions aren’t always necessary in articles, but when they are, our students must understand how to make the most of them.

Just like the previous key features on our list, there are specific things students need to know to make the most of this specific aspect of article writing.

  The internet has given us the gift of access to innumerable copyright-free images to accompany our articles, but what criteria should students use when choosing an image?

To choose the perfect accompanying image/s for their article, students need to identify images that match the tone of their article.

Quirky or risque images won’t match the more serious tone of an academic article well, but they might work perfectly for that feature of tattoo artists.

Photos are meant to bring value to an article – they speak a thousand words after all. It’s important then that the image is of a high enough resolution that the detail of those ‘thousand words’ is clearly visible to the reader.

Just as the tone of the photo should match the tone of the article, the tone of the caption should match the tone of the photo.

Captions should be informative and engaging. Often, the first thing a reader will look at in an article is the photos and then the caption. Frequently, they’ll use the information therein to decide whether or not they’ll continue to read.

When writing captions, students must avoid redundancy. They need to add information to that which is already available to the reader by looking at the image.

There’s no point merely describing in words what the reader can clearly see with their own two eyes. Students should describe things that are not immediately obvious, such as date, location, or the name of the event.

One last point, captions should be written in the present tense. By definition, the photo will show something that has happened already. Despite this, students should write as if the action in the image is happening right now.

Remind students that their captions should be brief; they must be careful not to waste words with such a tight format.

For this fun activity, you’ll need some old magazines and newspapers. Cut some of the photos out minus their captions. All the accompanying captions should be cut out and jumbled up. It’s the students’ job to match each image with the correct accompanying caption.

Students can present their decisions and explanations when they’ve finished.

A good extension exercise would be to challenge the students to write a superior caption for each of the images they’ve worked on.

TOP 5 TIPS FOR ARTICLE WRITING

Now your students have the key features of article writing sewn up tightly, let’s take a look at a few quick and easy tips to help them polish up their general article writing skills.

1. Read Widely – Reading widely, all manner of articles, is the best way students can internalize some of the habits of good article writing. Luckily, with the internet, it’s easy to find articles on any topic of interest at the click of a mouse.

2. Choose Interesting Topics – It’s hard to engage the reader when the writer is not themselves engaged. Be sure students choose article topics that pique their own interest (as far as possible!).

3. Research and Outline – Regardless of the type of article the student is writing, some research will be required. The research will help an article take shape in the form of an outline. Without these two crucial stages, articles run the danger of wandering aimlessly and, worse still, of containing inaccurate information and details.

4. Keep Things Simple – All articles are about communicating information in one form or another. The most effective way of doing this is to keep things easily understood by the reader. This is especially true when the topic is complex.

5. Edit and Proofread – This can be said of any type of writing, but it still bears repeating. Students need to ensure they comprehensively proofread and edit their work when they’ve ‘finished’. The importance of this part of the writing process can’t be overstated.

And to Conclude…

With time and plenty of practice, students will soon internalize the formula as outlined above.

This will enable students to efficiently research, outline, and structure their ideas before writing.

This ability, along with the general tips mentioned, will soon enable your students to produce well-written articles on a wide range of topics to meet the needs of a diverse range of audiences.

HUGE WRITING CHECKLIST & RUBRIC BUNDLE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (92 Reviews)

TUTORIAL VIDEO ON HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE

Comment on this text

8 Helpful Tips on How to Write an Article for Your School Newspaper

Wed, March 06

By Bianca Mints

If you are an aspiring member of your school's newspaper, but you're not exactly sure what to write about, don't worry! Your easy and simple guide to navigating the world of high school newspapers is here. Read on to find out more about a veteran's experience writing for her school's paper for three years of high school.

1. Fun research paper!

For journalistic papers, think of a question you've always wanted to answer about your school and keep the scale appropriately small and answerable so that your piece has a clear point. You can, obviously, write about current events or a Taylor Swift concert you went to last week, but if you want to write an article directly for your classmates, make sure their opinions are included! Send our Google forms to the whole school, and conduct interviews—this is one of the best ways to prepare for becoming a true journalist!

2. Write about school-relevant topics.

This might mean sending out a survey to your entire school, as I did my freshman year—scary, but helpful. For my first article, my topic was “Conundrum: Mathletes vs. Athletes” as a silly joke on how most students at my school are STEM kids—we don't have many of the typical jocks. However, my first question was more about the general “nerd” side of things.

Hilariously enough, my “nerd” hypothesis was correct—nearly 50% of students (we only have about 140 students in total, so 97 responses is a pretty good representation) like reading more than people. I would have to put myself in the books and people category, as books can sometimes get a little boring (as can people).

Some of my favorite responses ended up being “I like battlefield more than books and people,” and I already have several good lists of suspects. Some students are way more likely than others to prefer video games.

Provocative? A little. Intriguing?

Absolutely. If I had asked students questions about school food or favorite classes, basic questions on the school itself, I think this piece would have stood out just a little less. School-related questions do not have to be about the actual school—because my school is known for being nerdy, I asked students personal questions about themselves, as I wasn't sure questions like “Do you think everyone here is a nerd” would be the best kind of questions to ask. My next question was also personal, rather than about the school:

I can imagine the same 49% of students who love reading more than people answered “Yes!” here as well. Some people felt a bit more snarky about this question—"When I get them, so no"—so I had to wonder whether students had a bad experience with science teacher puns in the middle of AP review. Again, it related to school, but never explicitly mentioned it.

3. Ask provocative questions.

4. Personal favorites:

• “Wdym secretly? I don't pretend to not like reading stuff.” Love them for that!
• “I write history textbooks for fun.” To this day, I have no idea who could have said this, but I want to meet them.

5. Ask open-ended questions, too!

So much variety. Took quite a while to get through everything, but worth it! I'm still confused by “Beat Saber,” as I've been a member of my school's saber fencing team since freshman year, so perhaps they meant that they wanted to beat the saber team?

The nearly 50% “Mathletes Unite!” was hilarious to me, as the school requires that every student do a sport every other day of the school week, so I can imagine how many students dreaded going to sports every day, as they would rather be doing…math. Hey, to each their own!

“Stick fighting” was a bit of a concerning answer, along with “professional rock, paper, scissors.” I did appreciate the mention of quidditch and wholeheartedly agree. My life has never been the same since I read Harry Potter! (By the way, I'm a Ravenclaw—comment your house!)

6. Ask lots of questions…but get to the point.

You want to be sure that the audience knows the point—just ask your research question directly.

A whopping 71%—I love the blatant honesty. In my freshman year, I probably wouldn't have been so sure if I was a nerd or not.

Now, I know that I was just lying to myself—while I may not be a science nerd, I am totally a writing nerd! I give my greatest thank you to all participants who honestly answered this question, as “nerd” often has a negative connotation—the effects of which I explored through my survey comments.

7. Encourage feedback from participants.

At the end of your survey, put a “Comments and/or Concern?” question. Trust me, most of my paper focused on the lengthy responses at the end as they conveyed much more than the multiple-choice ever could.

Some highlights:

“It's a nerd school. For nerds.” I have to say I mostly agree!

“No time to read anymore." This comment stuck with me. Over the summer, I'm usually able to read and read until my eyes become practically cross-eyed, but during the school year, nada zilch zip!

“You should have used an NFC chip to distribute this survey.” I had to search up what an NFC chip was after seeing this comment, and I have to say, I'm still confused. This was a comment so very likely from a science nerd—they are a whole galaxy away, unfortunately.

8. Accept feedback from peers and teachers.

After spending hours collecting data and then analyzing and writing it all out, you may feel like you don't need to spend any more time editing your piece—you don't deserve to be stuck at your desk, reading your writing over and over again until you just want to throw the piece in the virtual garbage. Maybe you even throw the piece in the garbage or delete all the words from the Google Doc and slam your computer shut.

This is my call to tell you to come back now before later. You have put so much work into this piece—if your editors want you to make some changes, they simply want to make it famous! No writer or journalist has ever gotten famous without constructive critiques—few writers even pick their own titles!

Editors are your best friend after you've finished writing—often, they've been at the paper longer than you have and know exactly what the school public wants to read. Take advantage of their helpfulness by asking questions before and after you write the piece, whether it be about the topic or idea, or even simple writing help. They can also help you format the piece and inform you of important logistics, such as word count. I would highly recommend never going over 1.5k words as the attention span of a high school student is probably less than that of a goldfish.

Overall, writing a piece for the school paper doesn't have to be stressful—with consistent communication with editors and students, you can make your piece appeal to all students and make your whole school's newspaper truly shine!

Think this article is a must-read? Share it! 🤳💬

Bianca Mints 1,000+ pageviews

Bianca is a junior from Massachusetts. Outside of The Teen Magazine, Bianca is a reporter for Teens In Print, Boston's citywide high school newsletter. Outside of writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her friends and family, and listening to Taylor Swift.

Website: https://medium.com/@femininomenon

Recent in Opinion

Let us slide into your dms 🥰.

How to Write an Essay about Your School

If you’re hoping to draft an insightful essay about your school, you’re in the right place! Writing an essay about your school offers an opportunity to share your experiences, the unique features of your school, and why it is important to you.

In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through five straightforward steps to pen such an essay effectively. Alongside these steps, we’ll craft a sample essay to demonstrate how you can apply these steps in practice. Ready to begin? Let’s dive in!

Step 1. Plan the word count for your essay’s paragraphs.

Planning the word count for each paragraph in your essay is a helpful initial step, which can make the writing process smoother and faster. Remember, a typical essay comprises three key parts:

• The introductory paragraph
• Three body paragraphs
• The concluding paragraph

For example, you want a 300-word paragraph. Here’s one way to distribute 300 words across five paragraphs:

That’s all you need for your essay — five solid paragraphs.

Step 2. Choose your central theme and supporting points.

Firstly, decide on a central theme that encapsulates your school experience. This will provide a coherent thread for your entire essay. When choosing your theme, think about what defines your school. What are the core values? What unique attributes does it possess?

For our sample essay, let’s use this as our central theme: “My school, Greenfield High, stands out for its emphasis on community, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to the arts.”

Next, we will apply the Power of Three to break down this main theme into three supporting points. The Power of Three is a three-part structure that aids you in crafting your body paragraphs.

In our case, we will focus on three features that define Greenfield High:

• Greenfield High fosters a strong sense of community.
• Innovative teaching methods are a hallmark of Greenfield High.
• Greenfield High shows a deep commitment to the arts.

With these in mind, we can now begin to write our essay!

Step 3. Write the introductory paragraph.

To write an introductory paragraph , you can follow the diagram below:

The introductory paragraph should begin with an engaging opener that sets the context for the essay. Following this, you should introduce your central theme and your three supporting points. Here’s our example:

Introductory Paragraph

“Schools can profoundly shape our lives, molding us through their unique cultures, methodologies, and focus areas. My school, Greenfield High, stands out for its emphasis on community, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to the arts. Its sense of community fosters cooperation and mutual respect among students, its innovative teaching methods stimulate our intellectual curiosity, and its commitment to the arts provides a rich, expressive outlet for students.”

Step 4. Write the body paragraphs.

Next, we’ll develop three body paragraphs to elaborate on our supporting points.

Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that summarizes the paragraph’s main idea, followed by explanation and examples.

Paragraph 1

“Greenfield High fosters a strong sense of community, which has deeply impacted my school experience. Its student-led initiatives and regular community outreach programs have taught us the value of teamwork and public service. For instance, our annual ‘Greenfield Gives Back’ campaign, where students volunteer in local charities, has not only benefited our local community but also fostered a sense of responsibility and empathy in us students.”

Paragraph 2

“The innovative teaching methods adopted by Greenfield High are another defining feature. Teachers often integrate technology into their lessons, enhancing our understanding and making the learning process more interactive. I remember how our geography teacher used virtual reality to explore different ecosystems, turning abstract concepts into immersive experiences.”

Paragraph 3

“Lastly, Greenfield High’s commitment to the arts is exceptional. The school offers numerous art programs and supports artistic events like art festivals and music competitions, providing students with opportunities to express themselves and develop their talents. For example, participating in our annual school musical has allowed me to explore my passion for performing arts and has greatly boosted my confidence.”

Notice how each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence, followed by further explanation and examples.

Step 5. Write the concluding paragraph.

The concluding paragraph is best written by paraphrasing the points made in your introductory paragraph. Avoid copying and pasting; instead, refer back to your introductory paragraph and restate the points in a new way. Let’s apply this method to our sample essay:

“Schools greatly influence our formative years through their unique characteristics. Greenfield High, with its emphasis on community, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to the arts, has shaped my educational journey in significant ways. Its strong sense of community has instilled in me the importance of cooperation and service. Its innovative teaching methods have fostered my intellectual curiosity. Finally, its dedication to the arts has allowed me to express myself creatively and grow my confidence.”

With this approach, writing the conclusion becomes quick and straightforward.

And there you have it! I hope you find this tutorial useful as you craft your own essay about your school.”

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

Recent Posts

How to Write an Essay about Why You Want to Become a Nurse

If you're eager to write an essay about why you want to become a nurse, then you've arrived at the right tutorial! An essay about why you want to enter the nursing profession can help to...

How to Write an Essay about Why You Deserve a Job

If you're preparing for a job application or interview, knowing how to express why you deserve a role is essential. This tutorial will guide you in crafting an effective essay to convey this...

Classroom Q&A

With larry ferlazzo.

In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to [email protected]. Read more from this blog.

Students Share Their Best School Experiences and What We Can Learn From Them

• Share article

Today, five students from my classes contribute short pieces about their favorite moments, and what others might be able to learn from them.

You might also be interested in these two other posts:

• Students Describe Their Favorite Teachers
• ‘He Was a Very Good Listener’ - Students Write About Their Most Memorable Teachers

Response From Leslie Servin

During my time in high school I had it really good moments, but my best moments that I’ve experienced are in a particular class during my senior year, in Sacramento, Calif. So I was basically a new student in these kind of classes and also I’m English learner. I remember my first presentation in this class. I didn’t want to do it, but finally I did it and that one was my best moment. When I went to present I felt afraid, and then when I presented I felt so good for the effort I applied on. Now I feel so much better than my first day of presentations because I now know that I can do whatever I want to do. The learnings that I acquire made it so good this moment because I know that I have to trust on me. Something teachers or students can learn from my experience is that we have to overcome our fears and not let them control ourselves because we can’t know our capabilities if we are afraid.

Response From Jesneel Singh

The best moment in class was when I was in 9th grade in sixth period. That was when I got into poetry and spoken word. Having that “character and scene” class made my life even greater. Not knowing anything about poetry, hating on poems about reading and writing it in the past. That class was fun in many ways. For example; there was this one time where we had to write our own plays and poems and perform them in front of the class. I felt alive, and the creative side of me came out. When I wrote my first poem in freshman year. I realized that it was fun and unique. I felt like I wanted to write more and more. When I performed my first poem to that class I found my passion. Since that day and today I have written over 400 poems and made two books. I have performed on many stages in small audience and in school. That was a good day for me because I can write my thoughts down and write the truth about the world. Teachers and students can learn from this experience that, you can find what best fits you.

Response From Nancy Ramirez

I would say my best class moment would be from my sophomore year in high school. For my Spanish class, our teacher decided we would do a class circle (Editor’s note: see “How To Practice Restorative Justice in Schools” for more information on class circles) for the day. She asked us a sequence of questions which required us to give a more in depth and heartfelt answer each time, starting with something along the lines of “How are you feeling?” and ending with “Why do you think that is?” A class circle which only should have lasted one day extended to three, with each and every single one of us having to share our deepest and darkest fears and insecurities. By then it felt more than just a class and opened my eyes to very different ways of teaching styles. I believe there is much to learn from this experience, both then and now. I have come to deeply appreciate not only the class but the teacher as well. This experience showed me the extent a relationship with your classmates and your teacher can go....

Response From Oscar Salazar

The best moment I’ve ever experienced in school was last year when I was a sophomore. I took biology last year and towards the end of the year we got to dissect a fetal pig. I know that it sounds gross but it’s really not. That’s what I thought at first too. I did lots of fun experiments in that class that were new to me, such as making a small ecosystem in a bottle and dissecting owl pellets to find mouse skeletons. I think that these experiences were really fun and interesting. I’ve never done anything like that in a class before.

I think that when teachers introduce students to hands-on activities and projects the students enjoy it more. Since we have more energy it’s a good use of it. We learn better when we’re allowed to move around and be creative. Our lives aren’t going to be pen on paper or books forever. It’s best to get us students to explore the world using our skills that we learn and strengthen our understanding of daily life that is sometimes hidden from us and exposed to us abruptly once we turn into adults.

Response From Kayla Guzman

What has been my best moment in a class? I’ve had many great moments but perhaps the most best moment took place in my English class about a month ago. I had a 10-15 minute presentation and I felt pretty confident. 30 minutes before my presentation I decided to incorporate an actor for visual appeal, to correspond with my presentation. I felt even more confident, assure that I would captivate the audience’s attention and keep them engaged. When my presentation started, I gave a signal to my actor which led me to drop my 8 notecards all over the floor. I was aware that the time was ticking, so I quickly grabbed all the notecards off the floor. I became overwhelmed with embarrassment, listening to the echoing laughter of the audience as I tried to rearrange the cards. The cards in my hand then became extremely restraining. My anxiety levels rose, and the disorganized cards just added stress to my emotions. I placed the cards down, and felt a great sense of relieve. My words, my explanations, my connections all flowed out my mouth with harmony, and I felt more natural and free as I presented my topic.

My presentation was a diagnosis of a character with schizophrenia, explaining the symptoms and the reasoning behind my diagnosis. The movement of my hands and my exaggeration presented by a drive of passion, along with my visual representative, kept the audience captive. I felt like a completely different person. By the end of the presentation I was sweaty, not by nervousness but because I left it all on the floor. I realized that the key to presenting with people is not getting their attention just by visual appeal. You need to let your heart pour out so that you can captivate their hearts, reach their souls. You can’t just be the center of attention, you need to give the audience attention, you need to talk to them. First and foremost, you can’t present without emotions. Anything you present should be built off of passion. As long as you can find a connection between yourself and the topic and exude your passion, you will keep the audience engaged.

Thanks to Nancy, Jesneel, Kayla, Leslie, and Oscar for their contributions!

(This is the last post in a three-part series. You can see Part One here and Part Two here .)

The new “question-of-the-week” is:

What was the best moment you ever had in the classroom?

In Part One , Jen Schwanke, Amy Sandvold, Anne Jenks, and Sarah Thomas shared their top moments. You can listen to a 10-minute conversation I had with them on my BAM! Radio Show . You can also find a list of, and links to, previous shows here. In Part Two , Meghan Everette, Jeryl-Ann Asaro, Jeffery Galle, and Kara Vandas shared their memories. I also included comments from readers.

Please feel free to leave a comment with your reactions to the topic or directly to anything that has been said in this post.

Consider contributing a question to be answered in a future post. You can send one to me at [email protected] . When you send it in, let me know if I can use your real name if it’s selected or if you’d prefer remaining anonymous and have a pseudonym in mind.

You can also contact me on Twitter at @Larryferlazzo .

Anyone whose question is selected for this weekly column can choose one free book from a number of education publishers.

Education Week has published a collection of posts from this blog, along with new material, in an e-book form. It’s titled Classroom Management Q&As: Expert Strategies for Teaching .

If you missed any of the highlights from the first six years of this blog, you can see a categorized list below. They don’t include ones from this current year, but you can find those by clicking on the “answers” category found in the sidebar.

This Year’s Most Popular Q&A Posts

Classroom Management Advice

Race & Gender Challenges

Implementing The Common Core

Best Ways To Begin The School Year

Best Ways To End The School Year

Student Motivation & Social Emotional Learning

Teaching Social Studies

Project-Based Learning

Using Tech In The Classroom

Parent Engagement In Schools

Teaching English Language Learners

Student Assessment

Brain-Based Learning

Reading Instruction

Writing Instruction

Education Policy Issues

Differentiating Instruction

Math Instruction

Science Instruction

Advice For New Teachers

Author Interviews

Entering The Teaching Profession

Administrator Leadership

Teacher Leadership

Relationships In Schools

Professional Development

Instructional Strategies

I am also creating a Twitter list including all contributors to this column .

Look for the next “question-of-the-week” in a few days.

The opinions expressed in Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.

Sign Up for The Savvy Principal

• What is Content Gorilla?
• Testimonials
• Case Studies
• Knowledge Base

80+ Super Good Articles to Write About for School for Your Next Writing Assignment

Neil March 26, 2024 Blog Post Idea Generator Leave a Comment

Writing consolidates knowledge and nurtures creativity and communication abilities. But sometimes it’s really hard to find the perfect ideas for an article for your next school post or assignment. Don’t worry as we’re here to your rescue! This guide is going to help you in finding really good articles to write about for school. 

Source: Freepik

We’ll explore some impressive websites literally brimming with inspirational ideas for wonderful school articles. We’ll also provide you with handpicked winning topics guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing to impress your teachers. Let’s get going!

Best Websites to Refer to When Choosing Topics to Write for School

Websites write articles about the environment, education, history, sports, and others. They are the source for students’ learning on what’s happening globally, both academically and otherwise. We’ve selected the top 5 websites that provide a plethora of ideas and articles to write about for school. They’re the hub of creativity and inspiration!

Source: CommonLit

CommonLit is a free digital library offering a huge collection of literary texts and articles for both teachers and students. What makes it perfect for schoolwork inspiration is that it provides a rich pool of textual info about historical events, social issues, and classic literature. With a user-friendly interface and high-quality content, it gives you a fair amount of ideas for your next writing project. 

Source: PBS Kids

PBS Kids is a kids’ favorite educational platform that offers interactive content for children aged 2-8. What makes it super-interesting is its diverse lineup of popular shows that promote literacy, math, science, and creativity. Their team amalgamates educational content into engaging stories and characters to make it a fun way for kids to develop essential skills and knowledge.

Do you want to write a click-worthy article that grabs the readers’ attention? Check out this easy-to-follow guide on how to write an article online. Your inner writer will thank you! 

Source: BrainPOP

BrainPOP is a website overflowing with educational resources aimed at students in grades K-8.

A lot of schools use these resources artfully to ensure an interactive and fun approach to learning. Undoubtedly, it’s a hub of ideas from complex topics of science, math, and technology to artistic knowledge of arts, social studies, and music.

KiwiKids News

Source: KiwiKids News

KiwiKids News is a New Zealand-based dynamic news platform. It’s created specifically to inform children about odd things or recent happenings in the world. This platform offers age-appropriate stories that are clear, concise, informative, and engaging. These stories are super-easy to understand and perfect to get ideas from for your own writing. 

Looking for fresh ideas for your back-to-school blog? These engaging back to school blog post ideas will help you craft compelling content centered around the exciting return to school.

Source: Youngzine

Youngzine is a website with informative news for kids of different ages. It covers a whole lot of topics on the environment and climate change. This site is a great resource for school projects because the articles are clear, explain things well, and even feature work from other students – for students !

Topics for Good Articles to Write About for School

Are you someone who writes articles about a subject online and is looking for topics for articles ? We’ve got the 411 for you with 80+ attention-grabbing topic ideas. Whether you’re a student or a teacher, these topics will help you to take ideas for your lecture, assignment, or even your blog.

Argumentative Topics

Prepare to defend your stance on these thought-provoking issues. They challenge perspectives and encourage critical thinking.

• Universal Healthcare
• Animal Testing
• Gun Control Laws
• Junk Food in Schools
• Privacy Rights
• Space Exploration
• Influence of Social Media
• School Uniforms Debate
• Homeschooling: Boon or Bane?
• AI in Education
• Climate Change Policies
• Standardized Test Taking

Descriptive Topics

These topics are an amazing opportunity to describe things in detail so that your readers can visualize them in their minds.

• A Rainy Day in the Park
• Sunset at the Beach
• A Hidden Treasure
• My Favorite Place
• A Sunflower Field
• The Old Library
• A Noisy Street
• Dream Vacation Spot
• A Mouth-watering Feast
• The Perfect Pizza
• The First Day of School
• My Dream House

Narrative Topics

Do you feel that you have good storytelling skills to grab readers’ attention? Then these narrative topics to write about for an article are for you!

• A Magical Adventure
• The Mysterious Key
• Unexpected Friendship
• A Time Capsule Discovery
• Overcoming a Fear
• Lost in the Woods
• The Winning Goal
• An Adventure Abroad
• Unforgettable Birthday
• A Memorable Family Vacation
• The Day I Met My Role Model
• Mystery of the Old Mansion
• A Talking Pet

Creative Topics

Get ready to think outside the box with imaginative article topics that challenge the norm.

• Me In the Next 5 Years
• Rewrite a Fairy Tale
• Secret Superpower
• A Song About History
• 3 Successful Experiments in Life
• Design a Future City
• Magic Potion Recipe
• Invent a New World
• Secret Door to Success
• Alien Encounter
• Create a Dialogue Between Objects
• Invent a New App
• Dream Journal Entry

Persuasive Topics

Convince your audience to adopt your viewpoint or take specific action through persuasive writing exercises.

• The Importance of Recycling
• Importance of Unplugging Daily
• Everyone Should Learn to Code
• Renewable Energy
• More Arts Funding in Schools
• Benefits of Exercise
• Pets Should Be Allowed in Class
• Ban Homework Forever
• Reading vs. Watching
• Volunteerism Benefits
• Ban Plastic Straws
• Importance of Voting

General Topics

Broaden your horizons! Check out these diverse topics with the potential of broad insights to amuse, inform, and engage your audience. 

• The Future of Transportation
• Diversity in Society
• Sports Culture in Schools
• Importance of Education
• Challenges of Globalization
• The Importance of Kindness
• My Role Models
• History of Ancient Civilizations
• The Power of Music
• Benefits of Reading
• My Favorite Season
• Significance of Cultural Diversity

Subject-Related Topics

These subject-related topics cover a wide range of subjects from science to history to culture. You can pick the one you’re good at to write an article about.

• Technological Breakthroughs in Medicine
• Impact of Shakespearean Literature
• Mathematical Puzzles and Riddles
• Evolution of Modern Art Movements
• Women in STEM
• Artificial Intelligence Advancements
• Functioning of the Human Brain
• Influence of Music on Mood and Memory
• The Intersection of Literature and Technology

Brainstorming and selecting good articles to write about for school that align with your interests and academic requirements is a daunting task. But this article has made it as easy as 1,2,3 for you as we shared 80+ topic ideas to choose from here!

Do you want attention-worthy ideas like those of other top education blogs? Here’s the solution! 

Our Free Blog Post Idea Generator will help you generate unlimited ideas for your next post, be it about school, education, or any other topic on Earth! Give it a try to minimize content creation efforts and maximize production and results.

I am a full-time online marketer, for over a decade now. Helped over 100,000+ people & generated well over $12M in online sales.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Search form

A magazine article.

Look at the magazine article and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the other exercises.

Preparation

Can you get five correct answers in a row? Press reset to try again.

Check your understanding: multiple choice

Check your writing: word 2 word - questions, check your writing: gap fill - opinion adverbs, worksheets and downloads.

How serious a problem is bullying where you live? What can be done to stop bullying in schools?

Sign up to our newsletter for LearnEnglish Teens

We will process your data to send you our newsletter and updates based on your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of every email. Read our privacy policy for more information.

The anatomy of a perfect educational article

Anne-Laure Le Cunff

Writing an educational article about something you want to learn about may be one of the best ways to study a topic. The Feynman Technique —which I recently discovered may have been coined by Scott Young—helps you understand anything by pretending you are explaining the concept to a child or someone who has no prior knowledge of it. A great way to do this is to write an introductory article about what you want to learn. This is what I’m doing every week at Ness Labs, and you can do it as well. So what does a perfect educational article look like?

The perfect educational article is the one that helps you understand a new concept, and helps teach it to your readers as well. As such, it needs to start from the fundamentals and gradually go into the more complex concepts. It also needs to be practical and offer ways to take one’s learning further if they wish to.

1. Provide a step-by-step explanation

Writing an educational article is akin to writing a story, where you take the reader on a journey of exploration and discovery. Instead of dumping everything in the first few paragraphs, break down the explanation into several sections. Imagine a ladder with each incremental step bringing the reader and yourself closer to a satisfactory understanding of a concept. (I’m saying satisfactory because a complete understanding is not possible, which is why self-education is so fun, there is always more to learn)

One section should only correspond to one idea. If you start writing about a related but different idea, just create a new section. By using an outlining tool such as Roam , you can move the sections around easily. When you’re proofreading your article, make sure the narrative flows naturally.

2. Make it visual

“A thousand words leave not the same deep impression as does a single deed,” once said Henrik Ibsen, a Norwegian playwright and theatre director. As with many adages, years of paraphrasing turned it into a modern version which bears little resemblance with the original quote, and which you are probably familiar with: “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Visuals not only make it easier to quickly grasp the structure of your article, they can be used as explanatory tools. For instance, Feynman was famous for his diagrams, which he used to distill complex concepts into simple visuals.

3. Build context

Have you ever fallen into a Wikipedia rabbit hole? While it may be detrimental to your short-term productivity , such curious wanderings are still amazing experiences. I’m personally extremely grateful I can read about a topic, easily discover connections with other themes, and follow my curiosity just by clicking on links.

Knowledge in isolation is useless. The goal of learning is to form new insights, not to accumulate facts. Make sure to provide context around the concept you are writing about. This can be as simple as linking to other related concepts, which is particularly helpful when these concepts have been covered in a previous article. Doing so will help the readers and yourself progressively create a mental map of the topics you have learned about.

Interlinking concepts is a form of study. You can start this process in your note-taking app by linking new notes to previous notes. Some applications like Roam also feature bi-directional linking and a knowledge graph, which make it even easier to explore topics within a wider context.

When writing an educational article, pay attention to keywords related to topics you may have written about in the past, and link back to these so readers can also follow their curiosity and build better mental maps.

4. Suggest practical applications

A great way to solidify one’s knowledge is to put it into practice. However, readers discovering the topic for the first time may not know where to start. Do include a few pointers so they can put what they just learned into practice.

For instance, if you wanted to put into practice what you’re currently reading, you could take a topic you recently learned about, and write a short educational article to publish on your blog, send to your newsletter subscribers, or even—if you’re like my dad—just email to friends and family. Even better, make this a weekly habit, and you will look back in a year with more than fifty educational articles, and a lot of interesting, contextual knowledge in your thinking toolbox.

5. Encourage elaboration

The generation effect shows that we tend to remember information better when we create our own version of the content we consume. Encourage your readers to share their thoughts and read more about the topic by providing a reading list so they can elaborate on your introductory article.

If you want to learn more about education writing, I recommend the following resources:

• Your First Article on Wikipedia . Full of practical advice on interlinking, citing your sources, and writing in plain language. See also The Perfect Article .
• The Concept Attainment methodology as described by a language arts teacher.
• How to explain anything to anyone on TED Ideas, based on a talk by physicist and science writer Dominic Walliman.

Enjoy these, and please do let me know if you end up writing some educational articles!

Join 80,000 mindful makers!

Maker Mind is a weekly newsletter with science-based insights on creativity, mindful productivity, better thinking and lifelong learning.

One email a week, no spam, ever. See our Privacy policy .

Don’t work more. Work mindfully.

Ness Labs provides content, coaching, courses and community to help makers put their minds at work. Apply evidence-based strategies to your daily life, discover the latest in neuroscience research, and connect with fellow mindful makers.

Ness Labs © 2022. All rights reserved .

Pilinut Press, Inc. TM

Publisher of Advanced Readers and How-To Books.

• Writing Articles for the School Newspaper

Writing articles for the school paper can be fun and interesting. You can be the journalist who covers the school’s basketball game or spring concert. Maybe you will go to school board meetings and report back to your fellow students on the decisions the board made. You might interview the principal about the new classrooms being built because the school is expanding. There are all kinds of stories waiting to be told by you. But writing stories for the newspaper is not the same as writing an English paper or poetry. Journalism has its own guidelines. The following will give you the basic guidelines and some ideas on how to make your stories shine.

The first paragraph. The first paragraph is the most important paragraph in a news article for it gives the most critical information about the story. Space is limited in newspapers so news articles present the most important information first. Subsequent paragraphs contain information in order of descending importance. This allows the editor the option of shortening any story to fit the space available by cutting from the bottom.

Who, what, where, when, and, maybe, why, and how. In the first paragraph include all the basic facts of the news story. Who did what? Where did the event occur? When did it happen? Sometimes explaining why and how helps the reader understand more about the importance of the event or helps the reader connect to the story. For example, pretend you were covering your school’s basketball game last Friday night. Here is how the first paragraph of the story might appear. The comments in parentheses show the basic facts.

In a knuckle-bitingly close (how) game (what), the Cassadaga Cougars (who) topped the Independence 76ers (who) by 1 slim point last Friday night (when) on the 76ers’ home court (where). The final score was 68 to 67. Senior Langston Barnard led the scoring with 22 points.

Make the story interesting. There are several techniques you can use to make your story interesting to your reader which will be covered in the next few paragraphs. The first technique is quotes. People want to know what others have to say about the event. You can quote experts, celebrities, or the ordinary Joe. Following up on our example above, you might interview the coach, some of the players, the school principal, or people in the stands. You could also generate interest by explaining the importance of the event in relation to other things. Continuing on with our example, you could talk about where the team now stands in the rankings or how this game’s performance compared to other games this season.

After the game, Coach Humbart said, “I am proud of the way the team fought through to the very end. They just kept coming back each time the 76ers scored.” The team had struggled earlier in the season with consistency and keeping the pressure on through the entire game. The last three games have been narrow victories. The team still stands a chance to play in the county tournament if it can win three more games this season.

As an alternative you could tell the story from the point of view of a player. This alternative creates what is called a “human interest” story. People are interested in how others feel and what they do. Readers enjoy learning how someone overcame adversity to succeed or survive.

Use clean, crisp English. News writing should be short and to the point. News stories deliver the facts quickly. However, readers get bored when they see the same story with just the facts changed. Choose each word carefully and provide not only information but a sense of urgency and impact. Take another look at the first sentence in the example paragraph. In theory each time the school’s team played a game, the newspaper could use the same sentence and just change the essential facts. What if the newspaper ran a sentence like this each time the team played?

The Cassadaga Cougars played the Independence 76ers last Friday night and won 68 to 67.

Boring! Much better to run the original example sentence.

Add pictures. Find out if the school photographer will be covering the event as well. If not, take a camera with you. Take lots of pictures so your editor can choose the perfect one to accompany your story. Action pictures work best, but they need to be in focus and have good contrast between the lights and darks in the picture. If there is too much gray in a photograph, it will not print distinctly enough for your readers to tell what is happening. Get as close as you can to your subject by “zooming” the camera lens in or moving yourself. Make the subject fill the picture frame. Avoid background distractions. Take pictures in landscape format and in portrait format to allow for different layout options in the newspaper.

Be accurate. A news reporter’s responsibility is to accurately report on event. Double check the spelling of names, addresses, scores, dollar figures, and other factual information you collect for your story. If you have a recording device, record interviews. Write down details on a notepad.

Be fair. Remember to cover all sides of any controversial issue. Contact people who are advocating for different solutions to an issue and give them a chance to explain their stand on the issue. When you report the issue, clearly state the differing points of view. Allow readers to come to their own conclusions about how they view the issue. Journalism is about seeking the truth and giving unbiased reports.

Spell Check. Make a diligent search for errors, including using spell check and grammar check, before sending your story to the editor.

Bylines. A byline is the acknowledgement of who wrote the story. In some newspapers, the byline is simply your name. Other newspapers allow a little more space for lauding the author of the article. Bylines give readers some insight into the article writer’s expertise. Examples are “By Kevin Block, Sports Reporter” or “By Lucy Witt, covering education issues in the Piedmont”. Ask your editor about the newspaper’s policy on bylines.

Apply these guidelines to write quality articles that grip, inform, and entertain your readers.

Celia Webb, President of Pilinut Press, Inc., publishers of advanced readers for children and ESL students. Check out http://www.pilinutpress.com for more free articles on developing reading-related skills, word games and puzzles, and activity sheets for the company's entertaining and educational books.

Other Articles of Interest

• Citing References in Research Papers
• Help Your Child Learn to Write
• Overcoming Writer's Block
• The Development of the English Alphabet
• Writing Books for Preschoolers
• Writing Business E-mails
• Writing Fairy Tales

Visit our Reference Desk page for a complete listing of articles and worksheets.

Onlymyenglish.com

Learn English

My School Essay in English (100, 200, 300, 500 words)

Table of Contents

My School Essay 100 Words

My school is a place where I get educated; learn new subjects under the guidance of trained and skilled teachers. I study at a school that is near my home. It is one of the best schools in my entire town. The management of my school believes that it isn’t only academic excellence that we should be after, but also the overall personality development and evolving into a good and useful human being.

The school has two playgrounds – one is a tennis court and the other one is a cricket ground. We also have a nice swimming pool and a canteen. It also has a beautiful garden where students relax and play during recess. Even in games, sports and tournaments, it has made much progress. My school has won many trophies, shields, and medals in many extra-curricular activities. In debates also, the students of my school secure good positions. It is considered to be one of the best schools in my locality.

My School Essay 200 Words

The school is called the educational institution which is designed to provide learning spaces and create an environment for the children where the teaching of the students is under the direction and guidance of the teachers.

My School is one of the best educational institutions where I get an education and make progress towards the goals of my life and make me capable of achieving them. Besides education, there are several significant roles that my school plays in my life. My school is performing well in all fields. It develops my physical and mental stamina, instills confidence, and

gives me tremendous opportunities to prove my skills and talents in different fields. In the academic field, it has made a mark. Its students secure top positions in the board examinations.

I go to school with my other friends. We study in our school in a great friendly environment. We reach school at a fixed time. As soon as we reach we line up to attend the assembly. Attending the school assembly is a wonderful experience. I enjoy for being first in a row in a school assembly. As soon as the assembly ends we rush to our respective classrooms. We take part in all school activities. One of my school fellows is the best singer and dancer. She has recently won the best singer award at the annual arts festival. Our school organizes all-important national events like Independence Day, teachers’ day, father’s day, etc. My school also gives every student abundant opportunities to take part in extracurricular activities like sports and music.

All of us are proud of being a part of it. I am fortunate enough to be a student at this school. I love and am proud of my school.

My School Essay 300 Words

An institution where higher education is taught is commonly called a school, University College, or University. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes compulsory. In these systems, Students progress through a series of schools. The names for these schools vary by country but generally include primary school for young children and secondary school for teenagers who have completed primary education.

My school is a place where I not only get educated but also get trained in other necessary competitive skills like sports, music, and dance. I am proud of my school because it provides us with all the basic facilities like a big playground, a central library, a big auditorium hall, a science lab, and a good computer lab. That is why my school is rated as one of the best schools in my entire area. My school has produced many great people in my country. It has a big and beautiful building that looks shiny from far away. I reach my target at a fixed time. I came to school with other friends of mine. We happily enter the schools with great confidence. We take part in a school assembly and then we move into our classrooms.

This all is done by a very efficient and well-trained teaching staff of my school. The best schools are those that make the students the best and the best school is made by the best teachers. We study under the guidance of the best teachers. My school has a dedicated teacher for all the subjects as well as extracurricular activities like music and sports. I consider my school as the best school because it supports and encourages every student to do their best and make progress. Fortunately, my school provides the best environment, the best teachers, and the best facilities.

Our Class teacher greets us daily and asks about us. He is quite a cool and kind man. He entertains us along with teaching his subject. We learn a lot of things like discipline, self-help, confidence, and cooperation here. As I enter my classroom I feel quite happy and relaxed.

My School Essay 500 Words

The place where children as the leaders of tomorrow study and where the future of the nation is shaped are called schools. Education is an essential weapon for tomorrow, so the good schools of today are important for the best future of a nation. Schools are the center of learning where we attend classes on various subjects, interact with the teachers, get our queries

answered, and appeared in exams. In my school, learning is more like a fun activity, because of the extra-talented teaching staff.

My school is a government primary school located on the outskirts of the city. Usually, when people think about a government school, they perceive it to be at an isolated location and have poor basic amenities and teaching facilities. But, despite being a government school, my school defies all such speculations. Teachers of my school are not only knowledgeable about the subjects they teach but also are skilled enough to teach through fun activities. For example, our physics teacher explains every concept by stating real-life examples that we could relate to. This way we not only understand the subject better. Moreover, not a moment I remember, when any teacher had ever replied rudely to any of the students. They always patiently listen and provide answers to all the queries posed to them. Learning at my school is fun and it is made possible only because of the teachers.

My school is very important in my life, in a way even more than my family. My family gives me love, care, and affection, and provides for all my other essential needs. But, all of this isn’t enough to make me a good human being and succeed in life.  Favorably, I am lucky enough to be enrolled in a prestigious school, and gaining a wonderful education, looking forward to realizing my dreams one day. The most necessary for success in life is education, and only my school provides it to me. Without my school and the education that it gives, I would be like a confused and wandering soul, almost aimless in life.

My school helps with my educational and overall personality development. It imparts education through classes, tests, and exams to teach me how to conduct myself confidently. It just feels so great to be in my school and be a part of everyday activities, be it lectures, sports, or Something else. While in school, I always feel happy, confident, enthusiastic, and loved. I make friends at school, those whom I will never forget and will always love them. My family supports my materialistic needs, but school is the place where my actual physical, social, and mental development takes place.  I know that every question that crosses my mind will be answered by my teachers. I also know that my school friends will always be at my side whenever I need them to be. As much as the studies, my school also stresses much on These activities as the management thinks that extracurricular activities are very essential for our overall personality development. My school provides dedicated teachers and staff for each extracurricular activity. We have a big sports ground with kits for all the major sports; a covered auditorium for dance and music and a separate basketball court.

The role my school plays in my personality development is fantastic. It not only imparts education in me but also teaches me how to conduct myself and how to behave decently and properly. I get trained in all the other necessary skills of life, like how to keep calm in challenging situations and help others as well. My school teaches me to be a good and evolved human being, to stay composed and progressive always. It also teaches me to be kind and generous to others and not differentiate them based on their caste, religion, ethnicity, or other divisions. These are some of the most essential personality traits that my school imparts to me, something that I will always be thankful for. Every time I think of my school, I think of it as a temple of education. A temple, where my soul meets education, making my life more meaningful and useful to society and the nation as well. It is a place where my aspirations get a wing and I get the strength and confidence to realize them. No other place in the entire world could replace my school and the role that it plays in my life. I will always be thankful to my friends, teachers, and the staff of my school, for making it such a comfortable and Educational place of learning.

• My Mother Essay
• Republic Day Essay
• Mahatma Gandhi Essay
• Essay on Holi
• Independence Day Essay
• My Family Essay

You might also like

10 Lines on My School Essay in English

10 Lines on Myself in English for Children and Students

Essay on environment in english, my mother essay in english 100, 200, 300, and 500 words, my favourite game essay, netaji subhash chandra bose essay in english.

School newsletter ideas – a complete guide for teachers

School newsletters have always been an essential part of communication between students, school, and parents. Besides being informative, school newsletters should also include entertaining and interactive sessions for students such as club details, various articles, artwork, fundraising events , and so on. Moreover, newsletters can be useful in case you want to establish a career in online teaching , they can bring value to your students and be a good marketing move. Nothing new ‘till here. But right now comes the most difficult part: how to design a school newsletter that’s both catchy and interesting? This could be quite an overwhelming task, especially if you haven’t done this before, but don’t worry. We are here to give you a helping hand. Today’s article will give you insights about school newsletter ideas and will also offer you some free school newsletter templates that could give you a starting point. 

Ready to create a school newsletter that people will actually want to read and will bring your community together? Great! Fasten your seatbelts, and get ready to start. Sooo…

What is a newsletter for school?

“ In a nutshell, a newsletter for school is an effective medium of informing students and parents about various school activities and events . “

But it’s also a platform that allows both teachers and students to write their thoughts and share their ideas and views regarding different school subjects. Usually, they are sent weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, depending on the school’s decision and type of information being reported.

School newsletters help both students and parents organize their time to keep up with anything school-related. Awards, performances, schedule changes, updates, events, policies, news, articles, community happenings…everything that seems important and enjoyable should be included here. Keep in mind that you’re creating a school newsletter for more types of readers (students, parents, teachers), so make sure to add content for all the categories. But more on this subject later. Now let’s see…

…What is the purpose of a school newsletter

When you’re thinking of a school newsletter’s purpose, you should always have 3 main verbs in your mind: inform, remind and connect.

First and foremost, a school newsletter should provide essential information to both students and parents. Write about school activities such as trips, meetings, volunteer opportunities, school clubs, and so on. You should also educate both students and parents about internet safety for kids . Don’t forget to also include precise dates of upcoming events so families can plan accordingly.

We live in a busy world filled with lots of activities and things to do and we easily forget about our own schedules. A school newsletter comes in just handy to remind students (and parents, when necessary) about future classroom activities or events. 

Create a school newsletter that fosters a strong connection between the classroom and the home. Write about specific happenings around your school and classrooms. Short notes or updates about recent activities or lessons are also great school newsletter ideas, and they also help parents connect to their children’s classroom. Go the extra mile and ask for feedback from parents regarding what they would like to read in the newsletter. This way, you’re building a trusting relationship between parents and teachers and further strengthen parental involvement in school programs.

What should be included in a school newsletter?

Let’s put it bluntly from the start. There’s nothing worse or more boring than receiving the same old newsletter week after week (after week…). We’ve all been there and know how bad it is. But unfortunately, this is what most of the schools end up delivering, because it seems easier and requires less preparation and strategy. In the long run, you might lose all your readers and you don’t want that to happen.

Keeping your readers engaged requires variation and innovation! 

Mixing things up from week to week is the perfect way to ensure readers stay on their toes when it comes to discovering your content. That’s why you should always think of diverse school newsletter ideas. 

So, here’s what should be included in a school newsletter: 

• Current and upcoming school events
• Mini interviews
• Self-help articles
• The kindness corner
• Other interesting topics 

Let’s dig in: 

1. Current and Upcoming Events & Activities

This has to be one of the main subjects of your school newsletter. It’s crucial to let everyone know about current or upcoming school events and activities. This way, families can organize their programs not to miss any important occasion. Write about your school’s field trips, visits to the museum or school parties. Insert all the important details that could help students and parents. You can also mention if there’s any school championships or clubs and how students can enroll. Creating awareness of the things happening around school can teach students that school is much more than education, is also personal development and companionship.

2. Mini Interviews

When thinking of school newsletter ideas, please consider inserting short interviews with teachers and students. Ask them to answer you some questions based on a topic and publish their responses in your publication. You could focus on different school subjects such as “what makes a great student/teacher”, “what subject do you enjoy most?” or “what have you read recently?” But you can also take courage and approach personal issues like “what are your weaknesses?” or ”what makes you unique?”. Take them a picture and post it next to their interview for a greater relevance.

3. Self-help articles

These kinds of articles are the most popular. Students love to discover interesting tips and tricks that help them make the most of the college’s years. And they also learn how to develop both personally and professionally. I remember that this was my favorite section of the school’s newsletter because there was always something new to find out. Approach evergreen topics such as “how to cope with bullying”, “how to find balance between studying and relaxing”, or even “how to overcome your fears”. Such great school newsletter ideas, right?

4. The Kindness Corner

Think outside the box and insert a kindness corner in your school newsletter. Report each act of kindness given by students to encourage them to create a healthier and happier school community. Things like sharing the meal, organizing fundraising for poor kids, or tutoring a colleague are worth writing. Usually, teachers and parents try to convince students to get good grades and study hard. We agree, this is the meaning of education after all, but we should also make sure that our students are also becoming great adults, not only smart kids. So, the next time you’re thinking of useful school newsletter ideas, please do take the kindness corner section into consideration.

5. Other interesting topics 

There are many sections that you can include in your school newsletter, but for a more entertaining experience, it’s good if you mix them up month by month. For instance, you can think of inserting a section with jobs or scholarships opportunities for students. You can also include a special section called “in the spotlight” where you present both teachers and students that deserve to be appreciated by the entire school. Give credits for the best jokers, best-dressed girls/boys of the school, top teachers of the month, top students of the week, and so on. 

Go the extra mile and come up with interactive activities for students such as puzzles, riddles, quizzes , crosswords, and games. You can easily do this with the help of SurveyMonkey. We’ve tested them with good results. Their interface is intuitive and friendly. Here’s the final result:

Make this section even more entertaining by offering cool prizes for the first 5 or 10 readers with correct answers. The prizes can consist of tickets to a drama play, football match, and music recital. 

School newsletter examples

There’s a lot to cover when it comes to school newsletter ideas. Now that you know so much about this subject, you might think you’re ready to create your own school newsletter. But before getting to the most exciting part of this article, we firstly need to see how schools like Cambridge create a fun and interesting school newsletter to facilitate communication between schools all around the world. 

Let’s explore some school newsletter examples where you can get some free inspiration from:

Cambridge Assessment International Education Outlook – Issue 33

This is a school newsletter example intended especially for teachers. It has an attractive design that is easily noticeable from the start. Everybody knows that a newsletter that is visually appealing is far more likely to be read than a daunting text-based alternative. Besides its layout, a professional newsletter should grab the attention of the readers and hold their interest by means of its on-point content. 

This example over here definitely knows how to communicate something valuable: topics such as “ self-regulated learning – the idea of students taking a proactive and self-reflective approach to their own learning”, “what represents teacher research” or “the power of school self-evaluation” will always be useful for teachers all over the world, because they all fight together for a better education system. So, next time you’re thinking of school newsletter ideas, make sure to insert a special section addressed to teachers.

Cambridge Assessment International Education Outlook – Issue 34

The second school newsletter example from Cambridge makes a good impression from the front cover because it features a stunning design. It keeps the same layout as the one before, but the intent is focused on the entire school, not just on teachers. Remember that appealing design should be crucial. The formatting, structure, fonts, and the use of photos and colors can have a powerful impact on readers’ choice if they’re going to read an issue or not. This example from here surely looks catchy and makes you want to read it and discover more. 

Besides general topics such as upcoming events or school activities, this school newsletter from Cambridge approaches current worldwide topics like “supporting schools during Coronavirus” or “tips for teachers who taught remotely”. These kinds of topics will always be successful, because people are eager to learn how others are handling some situations and like to see different perspectives.

Cambridge School of Bucharest – Issue 1, February 2018

The Cambridge School of Bucharest issue is far more different than the previous ones. It features a more simplest layout and less content, yet qualitative. You can notice from the start that it’s a primary school newsletter because it approaches topics for younger students. The newsletter is really well-structured and the text is broken up into bite-size chunks. This way, the information is more clear and cut-and-dried. People won’t feel like they’re reading a neverending story. 

This school newsletter is composed of short articles written by children. They write about personal experiences or interesting facts happening in school. It’s a really great idea to encourage children to write, because who knows, maybe they’ll enjoy it so much and become future journalists. Teachers should invest in their students’ future from a young age. But what makes this newsletter even more wonderful, is that there’s an entire section dedicated to interviews. The children asked teachers a few questions, and then they shared the answers with everyone. Such a section helps students bond with teachers, because they find out personal things about their educators and will cherish them more.

Still, the ending of this publication has really won our hearts. It’s filled with different games for children, it gives you hints of what’s going to happen in the next school newsletter, and it also presents the (little) editorial team. There’s nothing more special for the kids than to see their names written here in the contribution section. What an inspiring school newsletter, right? Make sure to insert some of these school newsletter ideas in your next publication, because it will surely bring you more readers.

How do you create a school newsletter in Flipsnack?

We’re finally here! You have assimilated many useful pieces of information, and now it’s time to prove that you can create a school newsletter like a pro. Why do we feel that there’s something that doesn’t make you happy with our statement? Maybe because you’re still feeling a bit lost and not very talented at design? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you till the end and already thought of easing your job even more. We’re presenting you Flipsnack, the greatest and simplest tool that will help you create any school newsletter you want. Whether you’re notifying students of practice tests that are about to occur or letting teachers know about upcoming meetings, Flipsnack is the best tool for the job! All you have to do is to create an account, pick a suitable template (more on this a bit later) and let creativity do the rest! See how easy you can design a newsletter that will stand out in the crowd. 

Tips & tricks to design a school newsletter with Flipsnack’s Design Studio:

• Choose your template based on your audience
• Formatting is everything
• Content is king
• Think visually
• The distribution situation

Let’s discuss them more widely:

1. Choose your template based on your audience

After creating your Flipsnack account, you have to select a school newsletter template suitable for your audience. If it’s for primary school, you should opt for a more colorful one and full of photos. If it’s for universities, then you should choose something that looks more professional and elegant. No matter what you’re looking for, we have plenty of various school newsletter templates for all the occasions .

2. Formatting is everything

Before thinking about school newsletter ideas and visuals to insert in your publication, you should keep in mind a few aspects regarding formatting. First and foremost, it should be in sync with the grade it represents. If it’s a lower grade, then you should make it as colorful and vivid as possible. Choose funky fonts, write only short sentences and try to keep it as succinct as you can. It should have a maximum of 4 pages, filled mostly with images, and not text. Don’t forget to also provide a link to the school website where both children and parents can get more information.

However, if it’s addressed to parents and faculty, then you should definitely go for a more professional and serious look. Use only a few colors (neutral, preferably) and stick to only 2, maximum 3 fonts. It can contain 6-8 pages, depending on how much information you want to insert. Focus on choosing the right images for your content and also try to keep a balance between these two. In case you’re short of ideas, look through our list of school newsletter samples .

3. Content is king

Our Design Studio gives you full control over your templates and allows you to make any changes you want. The front cover is always the most important one, so pay huuuge attention when designing it. Start by placing the school name at the top of the front page. Add in a footer with page number, date, edition, or other important information you might want to include. Then put your school’s logo in the right or left corner of the front page. You should think then about catchy headlines and stunning photos that deserve the spotlight. 

Once the front cover is done, it’s time to start focusing on the entire content of your publication. With so many school newsletter ideas, it’s almost impossible not to create something extraordinary. Start by writing an entire section about the school’s current or upcoming events and activities. This is highly important and should be found in every school newsletter. Then you can mix up the sections month by month. For instance, for this particular issue you’re creating right now, you could insert an interview with a teacher. Next month, you should opt for a personal school experience of a student.

Don’t forget to also include a self-help articles section where students share useful information that could also help their colleagues. You can end your school newsletter with entertaining and fun games. On the back cover, you can give thanks to the editorial team and add your school’s website and social media buttons, so that people also find you there.

4. Think visually

A text-heavy school newsletter will definitely discourage regular readings from both parents and students. We know what we’re saying. No one wants to flick through pages filled only with boring writing. If you want to increase engagement, you should take into consideration the visual part of your newsletter. Images, images, images!

Consider adding a representative image to every article of your news. After all, they speak a thousand words, right? That also means it’s less time spent writing to you. As a great school newsletter idea, you could also think of having an entire visual section, such as a spotlight on a certain topic, or a behind-the-scenes look at the school play. Make sure to always (but always!) insert high-quality images. You want to look professional after all, right?

Go the extra mile and also add videos and GIFs in your school newsletter. You can totally do this with our amazing Design Studio. Maybe there was a special party in your school or another special occasion and somebody filmed it. Insert that video in your publication. Students will totally love this.

5. The distribution situation

Flipsnack gives you the opportunity to share your school newsletter both online and offline. When you’re done designing your masterpiece, it’s time to choose a distribution method. If your school believes firmly in the power of the printed world, then please make sure to choose high-quality paper for a more pleasant experience. Physical copies should be delivered or placed in a public space where everyone can easily pick them up. 

If you, however, have the possibility to share your school newsletter ideas online via email or social media, then make sure to also insert your school’s official website and social media buttons. This way, both parents and students can access any type of information from anywhere and with the help of any smart device. But the best thing about digital newsletters is that they are cost-effective and help you to reach a large number of readers

School newsletter templates to get you inspired

We promised that we will stick with you till the end, so here we are, ready to help you with one more major thing. Our talented designers have created these professional and versatile school newsletter templates to help you build a newsletter that everyone will enjoy and find useful. They are all free, fully customizable and ready to be used by you. Don’t worry, just follow our steps, take into account our school newsletter ideas and take some courage!

Back To School Newsletter Template

School has just started and we know it’s no easy job to work in this field these days. Since the whole pandemic situation, it’s pretty difficult to be a teacher and to move completely to online learning . You have to prepare your lessons, organize activities with your students and also keep them updated and informed about worldwide and school happenings. Put all these ideas into a school newsletter template like this one from here. 

You already know that Flipsnack allows you to make any change you want. Insert your own sections. Choose from our list with school newsletter ideas. Be directly on point and write back to school articles such as “how to make new friends”, “impressions about the first day of school” and so on. Go about and beyond with a special section dedicated to the new children. Upload photos with each of them and a short characteristic description. Download this school newsletter sample and then take it to print. Distribute it to the entire school.

Printable Elementary School Newsletter Template

If you’re a teacher, then you know that it’s kind of hard to keep both students and parents informed about everything going on in your school. But it doesn’t have to be a daunting task anymore. Gather all your school’s information, updates, activities and so on, and insert them into a school newsletter template. This one from here works perfectly for any type of classroom. Besides being appealing, the design is also vivid and bright and it makes you want to grab it fast and discover what’s inside. Personalize it with your own content right away. 

Write about school interviews, the student of the month, and any other useful things for the entire school. Remember that formatting is everything, so try to keep the same font and style throughout the whole newsletter. Add photos or videos from extracurricular activities using our drag and drop editor. Customize it online and let your imagination fly. Share your school newsletter ideas with the entire school community and post it on social media, so that others can inspire from your example. 

Primary School Newsletter Template

We said already that a school newsletter connects the school with the home. Keep things organized in your school with the help of this newsletter template from Flipsnack. This example from here is suitable especially for primary classes because it features happy and vivid colors and it contains little content. 

Customize this primary school newsletter template as you wish in just a few minutes. Remember all the ideas we’ve written before and insert the ones you find the most interesting for your school. Insert a kindness corner, write your school’s activities and updates and even include some fun games for kids. Make it very detailed because parents will want to know everything about their kids’ school updates. Keep it as bright as possible and save it when you’re done. You can print it anytime you want and then share it with both parents and children.

High School Newsletter Template

Since we’ve designed a school newsletter for primary kids, we thought it would be a great idea to also create an editable high school newsletter template . Things are a bit different, because you’re creating content for teenagers and you have to update your ideas to their age and style. Take this sample and customize it with your school’s logo and colors. Write up-to-date articles such as “how to cope with bullying”, “how to be an exemplar student”, and so on. Keep your class informed with school’s events and news, and also ask them to come up with school newsletter ideas for the next issues. 

Remember to also think visually when designing your publication . Pay attention to formatting, colors, fonts, and so on. Download and print your school newsletter and make sure everyone has access to it. You can always choose to share it online via email, so people can read it anytime they want, on any devices. 

Preschool Newsletter Template

Everyone knows that teaching little children is one of the most difficult jobs to do. They are full of energy and they get bored easily, that’s why you have to keep them entertained every second. If you want to come up with something new for them, you should try creating monthly newsletters. We will help you with this preschool newsletter template from here. Our amazing Design Studio allows you to customize it to the fullest. 

Since it’s a preschool newsletter, make sure to fill it with many photos. Write as less text as possible, because the little kiddos are only at the beginning of their reading process. You could insert school updates or events that are useful for their parents. Instead, insert many games and drawing activities to keep the kids entertained and happy. Download your school newsletter and print it. Distribute it then to every child and let them enjoy it!

Primary School Parents Newsletter Template

Looking for some primary school newsletter ideas ? Search no more, here’s an amazing template that can totally inspire you. If you’re teaching primary students, then it’s perfect for you. But don’t worry, this template is versatile and it can be updated easily to every kind of educational stage. When we’re referring to primary school, we should have in mind three things: colors, less text and games. Create content sections suitable for their age. Write articles about friendship, learning tips, and so on. Interview some of them and publish their answers. Post photos with them from trips and activities and also add some fun games to entertain them as much as possible. 

And since this newsletter addresses the parents, as well, make sure to insert  children’s achievements and details of upcoming events. The vibrant colors and our cute illustrations will bring a smile to the parents’ faces. Download and print this primary school newsletter template and share it with both parents and children.

Primary School Newsletter

Here it is, our final school newsletter template from this list. We’ll promise you we’ll come up with some more in the foreseeable future. Till then, please enjoy the existing ones. 

Through this school newsletter, you can keep children and parents on board with all the school related activities. Facilitate the communication process by inserting all school’s updates, events, changes, and so on. With an orange and blue cover, it’s the perfect layout to start a primary school newsletter . The colors are very suitable for children this age. Start with a word from the principal and maybe end it with some cool activities that parents can do while at home with the little ones. In between, you can also add some fun interviews, drawing games, or riddles. It’s all about entertainment! Download, print and distribute these school newsletter ideas with everyone in the school.

As a conclusion

Besides keeping people informed and connected, school newsletters can strengthen your school brand if done correctly. They are also an effective and unique form of storytelling, so make sure you publish good and valuable content.

We hope that today’s article gave you a glimpse of what’s a school newsletter and its purposes. With a little bit of courage, ambition, and this list of school newsletter ideas, you can create your own school’s publication that people will actually read.

So, if you’re a teacher, make sure to bookmark this article. Don’t keep all these pieces of information only for yourself, share this article with other teachers or students, it might be helpful to them, as well.

GREAT HELP. THANKS, A TON.

I need a price for the templates.

Hello, Lori!

You can use our templates for free. However, if you wish to have access to different features that you can use when customising the templates, you should check our premium plans to see what works best for yourself.

Hope it helped!

Middles school ideas??? I didn’t see any of those in these templates the article mentions, but I really like the ideas!!

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Posts

How to use Flipsnack as an online educational tool

The best education website design ideas

The online flipbook maker.

Flipsnack © Copyright 2022 – All rights reserved.

Create a digital magazine

Make an online catalog, create a digital brochure, make a digital newsletter, privacy policy, help center.

Article Writing for Students

Ai generator.

It is quite a common activity for students to write something intended for publication. That task can mean writing an article , an entry for a competition, and a review, and all possible write-ups that can be published in an English magazine. It is a good activity to harness the students’ writing skills, creativity, attention to details, and many other skills related to writing that can be beneficial to them with any career they decide to pursue.

You may think that writing these kinds of write-ups is simply just a waste of time, but contrary to that belief, this exercise helps your creative juice flowing. Aside from that, it can help improve your techniques and styles when it comes to this activity, it can also help you develop a new approach that will improve your outputs, and overall, it improves your writing skills making you a better writer in the end.

In addition, it can either be formal writing and informal writing depending on the audience. Since the article could possibly be published in a publication, it must be informative writing and must be written in an interesting or entertaining manner in order to captivate the readers’ attention and retain their interest. If you look at it in another perspective, an article is in a less formal style than that of a report since their are no needs for graphs, does not use bullet points and sections.

An article is usually written to spread information, but more than that, it also describes an event, person, experience, etc. It can also be written with the intention of sharing a balanced opinion about a certain topic. Articles are useful sources of information as well as entertainment. In a journalistic point of view, there are quite a few types of articles namely news articles, feature articles, sports articles, editorial articles, and so on. Although these articles use different approaches and have varying standards, the one thing in common about them is that they are based on facts.

Therefore, articles are factual pieces of writing that can inform, entertain, describe, persuade, etc., the readers. As mentioned, the different types of articles may enforce different standards, thus, it can either be a short or lengthy article. In addition to that, articles are the different writings you usually read in a publication.

Structure of Article Writing

An effective article is structured with a captivating introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and briefly introduces the topic. This is followed by detailed body paragraphs that present evidence, examples, and arguments to thoroughly explore the subject. Each section is seamlessly linked with transition words, ensuring a smooth flow. The article concludes with a strong summary that reiterates the key points and reinforces the article’s main message.

Format of Article Writing for Students

Captivating and Relevant: Choose a title that immediately captures the interest of the reader and gives an idea of what the article is about.

Introduction

Hook: Start with an attention-grabbing sentence or question to pique the reader’s interest. Background Information: Provide a brief overview of the topic or issue being discussed. Thesis Statement: Present the main idea or argument of your article, setting the tone for the discussion that follows.

The body is where you delve into the details of your topic. It can be structured in several paragraphs, each with a specific focus.

Subheadings: Use subheadings to break down the article into manageable sections, each addressing a specific aspect of the topic. Supporting Information: Present facts, statistics, examples, or quotes to support your main idea. Ensure the information is accurate and relevant. Visual Elements: Where appropriate, include charts, graphs, or images to complement the text and enhance understanding.

Analysis and Discussion

Personal Insight: Share your analysis or interpretation of the information. This is where you can express opinions or offer a new perspective. Counterarguments: If presenting an argument, acknowledge opposing viewpoints and offer counterarguments to show a balanced understanding of the topic.

Summary: Briefly recap the main points discussed in the article, reinforcing the thesis statement. Call to Action: Encourage the reader to think, act, or further explore the topic. This could be a question, a suggestion, or a directive. Final Thought: Leave the reader with something to ponder, which could be a thought-provoking statement or a rhetorical question.

Example of Article Writing for Students

Introduction Have you ever felt like there are not enough hours in the day? You’re not alone. Many students struggle with balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal time. This article delves into the significance of time management for students and offers practical tips to help you make the most of your day. Understanding Time Management Time management refers to the process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between specific activities. Good time management enables students to work smarter, not harder, so that they get more done in less time, even when time is tight and pressures are high. Benefits of Effective Time Management Improved Performance: By organizing your tasks and having a clear plan, you can focus better and achieve higher quality in your work. Reduced Stress: Managing your time well decreases stress levels by removing the pressure of last-minute deadlines and cramming sessions. More Free Time: Efficient scheduling means more leisure time to spend with friends and family, pursuing hobbies, or resting. Strategies for Better Time Management Set Clear Goals: Identify what you want to achieve in your study session. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals can help keep you focused. Create a To-Do List: List everything you need to do, and tackle tasks in order of priority. Use a Planner: A planner can help you keep track of deadlines, appointments, and when you plan to complete each task. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Large tasks can seem overwhelming, but breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps can make them feel more achievable. Eliminate Distractions: Identify what commonly distracts you in your study environment and try to eliminate or reduce these distractions. Practice Saying No: It’s okay to turn down additional responsibilities if you think it might interfere with your existing commitments and study time. Conclusion Time management is a crucial skill that benefits students not just academically but in all aspects of life. By implementing effective time management strategies, you can improve your productivity, reduce stress, and increase your free time. Start by integrating one or two of the strategies mentioned above and gradually incorporate more as you become comfortable. Remember, the goal is to work smarter, not harder.

Article Writing for Students Samples to Edit & Download

• Mental health awareness
• Technology in education
• Climate change action
• Diversity in schools
• Social media impact
• Study techniques
• Youth activism
• Remote learning
• Financial literacy
• Extracurricular benefits
• Arts in education
• Cyberbullying prevention
• Career exploration
• Community service
• Gender equality
• Peer pressure effects
• Mental health stigma
• Sustainable living
• Youth representation in media
• Critical thinking skills.

Article Writing for Students Examples & Templates

1. article review template.

2. Article Summary Template

3. Magazine Article Writing Exercises Example

4. Article Writing Worksheet Example

5. Article Examples for Students

tea.texas.gov

6. Newspaper Article Example

7. Feature Article Writing Worksheet Example

8. Short Editorial Article Example

9. Newspaper Article Format Example

10. Persuasive Article Example

11. Article for School Magazine Example

12. College Newspaper/Online Article Example

13. Sports and Academic Performance Article Example

14. Current Events Article Worksheet Example

Essential Information About Writing Articles for Students

Before you proceed in writing articles , you need to understand what makes it different from other forms of writing first. If you are not able to determine and understand what makes an article an article , you may end writing an essay or another form of writing instead. To help you with that, listed below are essential information about writing articles:

1. The reader is identified

An article is basically a direct conversation with your reader. If a portion in an exam is for you to write an article, the reader may be identified or specified as part of the instructions. That way you can write your article as if you are directly discussing your topic with them. In this sense, the tone, sentences, and words you use in your article must be conversational and easy to understand for your readers. More importantly, you need to remember that the main goal is to cater to your readers; you need to be able to spark their interest and sustain in all throughout the article.

2. It needs to be attention-getting

The main thing that sparks you readers’ interest is your title. Since the title is the first few descriptive writing words your readers will be able to read before the content of the article, it must be attention-getting, meaning, it must be catchy but still has substance. The title of your article must represent the entirety of your article, therefore, it must be accurate but at the same time interesting. After establishing a good title for your article, the content should definitely match what is in the title; it must be accurate and at the same time factual.

3. It has to be interesting

Similarly to what has been discussed above, an article needs to be interesting. Aside from being informative and factual, another goal should be to be able to maintain the readers’ interest in your content. The article must be engaging from start to finish. If you are writing an article for an exam, you must remember that your teacher has to read quite a few articles of the same main topic. You have to think of a way to make your article interesting and memorable, maybe try a new approach, use more engaging sentences; you have to find a way to make you reader want to read your article up to the last word. For example, you can add humor (if appropriate), real-life or made-up examples, or make up quotes.

4. It should be easy to read

One common mistake when writing articles is being overwhelmed by the topic and writing an entire page of monotonous rambles. Although in some cases it is necessary, like in a news or editorial article. However, there are ways when you can make it a breeze to read for your readers; for example, you can use subheadings to break up the text and make clear paragraphs. Make sure that your ideas are organized in a way that your readers can easily comprehend, you can write in a semi-informal, conversational style; however, you may want to abide to the instructions that you will be given. Remember that in an article, there is no need to reiterate the issue or topic, you really only have to explore and expand the topic to encourage your reader to read on.

5. There should be a good ending

The difference with an essay and an article is that in an essay you need to sum up the point you have made in the entire write-up in your conclusion while in an article, there is no need for that; the best way to end your article is to give the reader something to ponder even after reading the entirety of the article. Most of the time, the best endings link back to the starting point in some way. You can ask a question or some powerful or impactful sentence that will make your readers think about what they have read.

Tips to Write Good Articles for Students

By now, you basically have an idea how to write an article. However, there is quite a distinction between a mediocre and good article. To help you produce a good and effective article, listed below are some useful tips in writing good articles:

• Your opening or lead should be easy to read. Meaning it should be simple and short, but at the same time, it should also be able to provide a good overview of the article.
• Keep your paragraphs short and your text visually appealing.
• Provide context on the 5 Ws: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. Occasionally, there might be room for the How provide insightful context.
• Give meaningful substance.
• Show then tell. State or present your main goal, then explain and expand it.
• Learn to quote properly.
• Research, research, research! If there is an opportunity or the topic is already given, always do advance research.
• It’s acceptable to use semi-formal language unlike in an essay.
• Always be accurate and factual.
• Proofread and edit. Always.

Article writing is an exercise commonly practiced by students; it may not be as easy as it sounds, the skills developed with this exercise is as useful as any other skills. It has the ability to help students develop and improve their communication skills as well as harness their creativity. It may even be the starting point of a student in deciding to pursue journalism or any other course that offers the opportunity to write about significant matters. Although it is quite similar to essay writing, it is still different in a way topics are discussed and presented. We hope that you have learned something about article writing especially when this is a reoccurring exercise in your classes. The examples given above are for your own use. May it give you more knowledge about the fact and inspiration.

• Clearly defined subject matter or theme that unifies the photographs and tells a cohesive story.
• An intentional narrative structure that guides the viewer through the photo essay, whether chronological, thematic, or conceptual.
• A strong introduction that captures the viewer’s attention and sets the tone for the photo essay.
• A series of high-quality and visually compelling images that effectively convey the chosen theme or story.
• A variety of shots, including wide-angle, close-ups, detail shots, and different perspectives, to add visual interest and depth.
• Careful sequencing of images to create a logical flow and emotional impact, guiding the viewer through the narrative.
• Thoughtful captions or accompanying text that provide context, additional information, or insights, enhancing the viewer’s understanding.
• A concluding section that brings the photo essay to a satisfying close, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer.
• The incorporation of images that evoke emotions and connect with the viewer on a personal or empathetic level.
• Consideration of the audience, aiming to engage and connect with viewers by addressing universal themes or issues.

How  to Write an Article for Students

1. understand your audience:.

• Consider the age group and educational level of your target audience.
• Identify their interests, concerns, and common challenges.

2. Choose a Relevant Topic:

• Select a topic that resonates with students’ experiences or addresses their needs.
• Make it interesting and relevant to their daily lives.

3. Create a Catchy Title:

• Craft a title that grabs attention and gives a clear idea of the article’s content.
• Keep it concise but intriguing.

4. Introduction:

• Start with a hook to capture the reader’s interest.
• Provide background information on the topic.
• Clearly state the purpose or main idea of the article.

5. Body Paragraphs:

• Organize your content into logical paragraphs.
• Each paragraph should focus on a specific point or subtopic.
• Use clear and simple language.
• Support your ideas with examples, anecdotes, or relevant information.
• Consider incorporating bullet points or lists for easy readability.

6. Use Student-Friendly Language:

• Avoid jargon and complex vocabulary unless necessary.
• Define any technical terms or concepts to ensure understanding.

7. Include Visuals:

• If applicable, add images, graphs, or infographics to enhance understanding.
• Break up long paragraphs with visuals for better engagement.

8. Encourage Interaction:

• Pose questions or prompts that encourage students to think or share their experiences.
• Consider including a call-to-action, such as inviting comments or discussions.

9. Be Concise and Clear:

• Keep sentences and paragraphs short and to the point.
• Ensure clarity in your explanations.

10. Conclusion:

• Summarize key points.
• End with a strong concluding statement or a call to action.
• Consider suggesting further reading or resources for interested students.

How do you Start an Article for Student Example?

Certainly! The beginning of your article, often referred to as the introduction, should captivate your readers and set the tone for the rest of the piece. Here’s an example of how you might start an article:

Title: “The Power of Curiosity: Unlocking Your Learning Potential”

Introduction:

In a world brimming with information, curiosity acts as the key to unlocking the doors of knowledge. As students, you’re on a perpetual quest for understanding, seeking answers to questions that pique your interest and spark your imagination. Have you ever wondered, though, about the profound impact curiosity can have on your learning journey?

Picture this: You’re sitting in a classroom, the hum of fluorescent lights overhead, and your teacher begins a lesson on a subject that’s not just part of the curriculum, but a gateway to a world of possibilities. It’s in these moments that the flame of curiosity can either flicker or blaze, shaping the way you absorb and apply knowledge. In this article, we’ll delve into the significance of curiosity in the realm of education and explore how nurturing this innate quality can transform your academic experience.

Join me as we embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries of curiosity, discovering its role in fostering a love for learning and its potential to open doors you might not have even known existed.

What is the easiest way to write an article for Students?

1. choose a familiar topic:.

• Select a topic you are passionate about or have some knowledge in.
• Familiarity with the subject will make the writing process smoother.

2. Outline Your Ideas:

• Create a simple outline with key points you want to cover.
• Organize these points logically to create a flow in your article.

3. Introduction:

• Start with a hook to grab readers’ attention.
• Clearly state the purpose or main idea of your article.

4. Body Paragraphs:

• Each paragraph should cover a specific point from your outline.
• Use simple language and be concise.
• Support your ideas with examples or evidence.

5. Use Subheadings:

• Break your article into sections using subheadings.
• This helps readers follow your main points easily.

6. Write Simply:

• Use straightforward language. Avoid unnecessary jargon.
• Imagine you are explaining your ideas to a friend.

7. Be Concise:

• Stick to the main points; avoid unnecessary details.
• Short sentences and paragraphs are often more effective.

8. Conclusion:

• Summarize your main points.
• End with a concluding statement or a call to action.

FAQ’s

What does an article look like.

An article typically consists of a title, introduction, body paragraphs with key points, subheadings, and a conclusion. It conveys information, ideas, or opinions in a structured and cohesive manner.

What is the first line of an article?

The first line of an article, known as the hook, aims to capture the reader’s attention. It introduces the topic, sparks interest, and sets the tone for the entire piece.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

Essay on My School Life for Students and Children

500+ words essay on my school life.

Our school life is always the best time of our lives. Furthermore, it is the only time where I can meet my friends. My School time is the only time which I enjoy a lot. I get to play many games. Also, I get to study my favorite subject. Above all, I get to play with my group of friends and spend a good time with them.

My School is the second-largest school in the entire city. Furthermore, it is among the most renowned institutions of the state. It has two very large fields. We call it the front and the backfield. On the front, we play sports like football and hockey because of its’ soft ground. However, the back is to play cricket . This is because it has a pitch on it and the ground was hard.

Moreover, my school also has a basketball court where students practice almost every day. My favorite is the swimming pool which is quite big. So I never miss any swimming periods whenever I have any. Further my school has two halls. One is the new gymnasium and the other is the old one. The students play sports badminton and table tennis in it. Also if we have any literary function, it always takes place in the new gymnasium.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

My School Events

Every year in October we have a Literary and Cultural Festival. In this, students from different schools come to participate. Furthermore, it was a three-day function. This first day is of Western music , in this, the students sing western songs. Various bands from different schools participate in this. The second day is of Hindi music, in which we get to listen to some of the most beautiful voices.

The third day is the choreography. This is the best day of all three. Some, my friends, are really great dancers, so they always perform on this day. Moreover, we get to see some of the best dance acts on the day. These are the most memorable and enjoyable days of the entire school year.

Furthermore, at the end of every year, we have a P.T. Display. In this, the students from every batch have to perform an act. To perform this act our teachers start teaching us one month before the event. We all enjoy a lot during these days as we didn’t have to study for the first three periods. Moreover, on the day of the event, various competitions also take place. I always take part in an inter-house relay because I am good at it.

At last, before the farewell, there is a concert held. In this, we perform for our senior and the retired staff to wish them goodbye. It is a mixed concert in which we could perform any act. Whether it be singing, dancing or drama , everything is welcomed in this.

I have always admired my seniors because some of them had great achievements during their School life . And staying with them for so many years has enlisted an attachment. Furthermore, I have seen them spending their last days in college. And it was truly heartbreaking on wishing them goodbye.

Q1. What is the best thing about school life?

A1. The best thing about school life is that we don’t have any burden on our shoulders. All we have to do is eat, sleep, and, study.

Q2. Apart from studies what do we get to learn from our school lives?

A2. In our school lives, we get to learn a lot. Our school teaches us manners and goodwill and enlist good qualities in us.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Essay on My School Life in English for Students and Children

Best Things About the School Life for Students

School Life is the best time of our life as we make new friends, learn new things and build our career there. School time is the only time which we enjoy most, and when we enter college, we always miss our school life. School life teaches us lots of new things and prepares us to face all the challenges of life. I love my school life and really enjoy it. I have lots of friends, and all my teachers love me. I love my school and enjoy going there every day to meet my friends and learn new things. 

Everyone keeps on saying that school life is the best time of your life. When listening to these phrases from their elders, the school students think about what is good about this life. All we do in the entire day is to attend the classes and to do the homework. But once school life gets over, the students realise that school life was the best time of their life.

Apart from learning great things in school, you make new friends, play different sports and create memories for the rest of your life. The students also learn many life skills like teamwork, good manners, etc., and understand what they want to become in their life.

About My School and School Life

I study in the reputed private school in my city, and I am glad to be a student of this school. My school is one of the most renowned schools in my town. It is very beautiful and huge. My school has all the facilities for sports, study and other activities. Built-in a three-storey building, it is a Co-Ed and Senior Secondary School having Science, Arts and Commerce stream. The atmosphere at my school is delightful. We have a huge playing ground where we all students play different games like Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, etc. We have a separate Basketball and Tennis court, as well as a small and beautiful garden for kids.

The students practice these sports every day. The school also has a big swimming pool and sports area for indoor games. In this area, the students can play Table Tennis and Chess. There is also a big skating rink. Different physical training teachers train us for all these sports. These sports not only keep us fit but also increase our stamina and coordination.

School life is not just limited to studies and sports. There are also other activity rooms such as the music room, art room, and dance room. The Art room is a big hall with lots of colourful charts and various types of paints. The students can portray their imagination and can create beautiful art here. Dance and music are also very important in school life as they help the students express themselves in a new manner. The different movements in dance help the students in unwinding themselves.

My school has a big library where we all read different kinds of books, novels and comics. Apart from the library, my school has well-equipped scientific labs where we all practise various experiments of Chemistry, Physics and Biology. I have learned a lot of things in these labs. My school also has a big computer lab with trained technical staff that help us to learn everything about computers. I love playing on the computer and learning new things in the computer lab. In the computer lab, the students learn about using MS Word and PowerPoint. The computer lab is also called the ICT lab. The ICT teacher teaches the students about the internet and how to use it safely.

All the staff at my school are very polite, educated and experienced. Our teachers not only teach us but also prepare us for various competitions, and every year, my school wins many prizes in various competitions. I have even represented my school in a hockey championship and scored the second position.

The classrooms are big and decorated beautifully with different artwork done by the students. Various projects and models are kept in the classroom for the students to keep on revising their concepts. The teachers use smartboards, and every day a new word is taught to enhance the students’ vocabulary. Every day one student presents the ‘Thought for the Day’. These positive thoughts keep us motivated.

All the teachers at my school are very dedicated and punctual. They always teach us discipline and ask us to come to school on time. Our teachers love us, and they teach us in a very simple and easy way. Whenever we fail to understand anything, they try to make us understand it again without shouting at us. They give equal attention to all the students, and that is why my school has an excellent academic record. 

The teachers are well qualified. They use different techniques to teach us the concepts. The atmosphere in the school is fun-filled and fruitful at the same time. The school’s entire staff, from the security guard to the teachers, is very helpful and polite.

We learn many life skills also in school. Discipline, hard work, and punctuality are some of them. During sports classes, we learn teamwork and work together to win.

The best part of my school is its auditorium where all the school events and competitions take place. Our school auditorium is one of the best auditoriums in the town with a great sound and light facility. It is fully air-conditioned with lots of seats. Every year, my school organises an annual cultural festival which lasts for two days. Many cultural events take place within these two days like singing, dancing, debate competition, etc. I love to participate in a poem writing competition every year, and many times I have won prizes as well. Every year, the toppers of our school get awarded on this annual cultural day and we all students love to participate in various events of the annual cultural day.

We also have school assemblies in our Auditorium. Sometimes the students from other schools come and participate in the different competitions organised in our schools. These events are called inter-school competitions. These events are very good as we get to learn new things from other students and make many new friends.

Apart from the annual cultural day, my school is famous for organising one of the biggest annual sports meets. I love this annual sports meet because sports are my favourite. In this annual sports meet, various sports competitions are organised, and almost 50 schools participate in these competitions and win multiple titles. Me, my friends, and our seniors also participate in these competitions and make our school proud by winning in them. My school has great teachers, excellent faculty and all the facilities that one student needs to excel in his/her life.

The biggest reason behind the success and fame of my school is our Principal Sir. He is 50 years old, yet very active and disciplined. He has an attractive personality, and his knowledge is commendable. He loves all the students and always spare some time from his busy schedule to monitor the progress of all the students. I admire his personality and principles. He always encourages us to take part in various extracurricular activities, and it is the result of his support & dedication that the students of my school always perform better in all the competitions. We all are fortunate to have him as our Principal.

Principal sir awards the students who participate and win in different cultural and sports events. He has a good memory and remembers the name of every child. The students feel proud when Principal sir calls them by their names.

After each term, assessments are also being conducted in the school. The teachers prepare us for these assessments, and the results are also shared with the parents. The assessment is a good system as students understand the learning gaps and can work on them. The teachers are very helpful as they assist the students wherever it is required.

I love my school and my school life. Every day I learn new things here and enjoy it with my friends. All my teachers love me and always support me. I have learned discipline and punctuality from my teachers, and it will help me a lot in my future. I am proud to be a student at this school, and I will always miss my school after leaving it. My school life has taught me many things and given me some best friends who will be my friends forever. I wish all the success to my school and love everything about my school life. 

The different experiences which the students get in school life help them to become better human beings. When they leave school, they are not just taking the memories with them, but they take many friends, a career and good manners for life. It is the first place where the students come out of their family circles and create a new one with their teachers and friends. 

One should also remember that everyone is not privileged enough to get an education. If one gets this opportunity, then be grateful and work towards being a better human being. Cherish your school life and stay motivated.

FAQs on Essay on My School Life in English for Students and Children

1. Do you think Sports are important during school life?

2. What are life skills learnt during school life?

Some of the Life Skills learnt during school life are:

Punctuality

How to Write an Article (the Complete Guide)

• Sarah Neidler, PhD
• February 9, 2021

Did you just launch your new website and want to fill it with content? Or would you like to work as an article writer  and you’re asking yourself, how do I write an article that actually gets results? 

In both cases, you want to know how to write an article. 

This is a step-by-step guide that shows you how to come up with article ideas, get started with writing, and edit after writing. The guide is intended for online articles, but most points also apply to offline, print articles. Also, note that the difference between an article and a blog post is marginal, so most recommendations also apply to blog posts. 

Because it’s crucial that your article ranks in Google, we also cover some basics about search engine optimization (SEO). For more detailed information, I recommend you reading our 25 Point Blog Post Checklist for SEO .

1. Come up with a topic and a focus keyword

Before you start writing, you have to decide what you want to write about. That should be obvious. But what makes a good idea for an article?

Writing an article takes a lot of time and effort. Your articles should help you to generate traffic to your website. One of the most important factors that decide how much traffic you get is Google ranking.

Ideally, you want your article to rank for a high volume keyword. If 10.000 people per month type a specific keyword into Google and your article is the first to come up, many people will click on it and thereby land on your website.

When it comes to ranking, you should not only consider the search volume but also how difficult it is to rank for this keyword. A huge search volume is useless when your article appears on page number 256 of the search results.

It’s best to use a keyword research tool to find out the keyword difficulty (KD). We recommend Ahrefs because it provides you with accurate keyword data and many other functions that help you rank in Google.

There are two main ways to come up with article ideas:

• You have some ideas in mind; then you use a keyword research tool to find out if there are good keywords for these topics.
• You do a keyword search, come up with a list of suitable keywords and then decide which ones to cover in an article.

The focus keyword reflects the topic of your article. It can consist of one or two words or multiple words. As an example, the focus keyword of this article is “how to write an article.”

If you struggle to find good ideas, I recommend you read my article about how to find blog topics .

2. Find the search intent behind the keyword

When typing keywords into Google, you have a problem that you want to solve. You might want to learn more about a particular topic, you have a specific question, or you are looking for products to buy. The content of your article has to match the user’s search intent behind the keyword.

“How to” keywords make it easy: They phrase a question, and your article should answer this question. When someone searches for “best Italian restaurant in town,” the person doesn’t want to know what an Italian restaurant is, but how to find the best one.

Google knows this and will display local Italian restaurants with the best reviews. Also, rating websites like Tripadvisor make it to the top search results because they deliver the information the user is looking for: A short review about the best Italian restaurants, explaining why they are the best ones.

Because Google has, in most cases, a good idea about the search intent behind keywords, googling the keyword you want to rank for is always a good idea.

3. Find out how long your article needs to be

How long your article should be, depends on the topic and the competition. Some topics can be covered comprehensively in a short article. There is always the possibility to write more, but more is not always better. Again, keep the search intent in mind.

If the keywords indicate that the user looks for a simple, short answer, it’s better to keep it short. A long, detailed article would instead repel those readers. Take as an example: “How many strings does a guitar have.” This is a very basic question, and the person typing this into Google expects a short, simple answer. He or she doesn’t want to read a 1000-word article to find out.

But many topics are worth covering in detail. Someone who searches for “How to find the best electric bass guitar” would be thankful for a long, comprehensive article that answers all his questions. For these kinds of topics, you need to find out how long your article should at least be to have a realistic chance to rank for it. Googling your focus keyword is the easiest way to find out. Just check how long the top-ranking articles are and write one that is at least that long.

When you notice that your article is getting much longer than planned, decide if the added points are that important. If they truly add value, keep them. Check if they are highly related to the topic. If not, you can always cover them in a separate article.

4. Read competing articles

Take a close look at the articles that rank for your focus keyword. See if you can find good ideas in there and take some notes. This is not about copying your competition. It’s about getting inspired to make your article better.

5. Research the topic

Do deep research about the topic you want to write about. And simply googling your focus keyword and reading the top-ranking articles does not count as research. Ideally, you should already be knowledgeable about the topic.

The less you know, the more research you have to do. But even if you already know the subject in and out, check if there is new information available. For instance, when you write about CBD oil for anxiety, you may already know that CBD oil can help with anxiety and why. But there may still be a new study that you don’t know about. Covering the latest research that your competition hasn’t written about gives you a leading edge.

6. Brainstorm information to include

Once you know what you want to write about and gathered all the important information, you should do some brainstorming about what you want to cover in the article. There may be many points, likely, you won’t keep all of them. But writing them all down helps you to make sure that you don’t forget any vital information.

7. Come up with unique ideas

When you’re done with brainstorming, make sure that you have ideas with unique content that you cannot find anywhere else. If your article summarizes the top 5 ranking articles, you’re not providing value to your readers.

There are many ways to make a text unique, and it depends on the kind of article. If you’re an expert on the topic, you can give an expert opinion with unique insights. When it’s an informational article, try to find information you cannot find anywhere else.

And even if there’s no additional information, you can still provide value. For instance, by explaining a complex problem better than anyone else does. Or by illustrating a point with a story. There are many ways, be creative!

8. Write an outline

Before you start writing, write an outline to give the article some structure. It is not set in stone, and you can change it while writing. But it makes the writing process much more manageable.

No matter what kind of article you write, it should always have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

Further, each article should answer three questions in the following order:

• What (is it about)?
• Why (is it important)?
• How (to implement it)?

Answering these three questions gives your article a logical flow.

First, you have to let your readers know what the article is about. When you write about something that not everybody is familiar with, you’ll also have to explain what it is and give background information. For instance, when you write an article about magnesium, you should first mention that it is an essential mineral and review its role in the body.

The next step is then to explain why it’s important and why people should care. You would mention how common a magnesium deficiency is and what symptoms it causes. 

In the last step, you would address the how and tell your readers how they can prevent a magnesium deficiency.

In how much detail you answer each of these questions is very individual and depends on the kind of article you write. When you write a “How to …” article, like the one you are currently reading, answering the “How” is the main part. Readers looking for “How to do something” already know what it is and why it’s important. So you can briefly answer the first two questions in the introduction and then spend the rest of the article answering the “How.”

But you can also have articles focusing on the “Why.” After briefly answering the “What,” you explain in detail why it is important. The “How” can then be a simple call to action, leading the reader to an article addressing the “How” or to a product that is solving the problem.

If you wrote about the detrimental health consequences of eating too much sugar, this would answer the question, “Why too much sugar is bad for you.” After your readers are convinced that too much sugar is very unhealthy, you can end the article with a call to action to your article about how to eat less sugar.

The What, Why and How questions can serve as a template that you can apply to any article.

9. Follow the rule of one

Following the rule of one is probably the most important advice when writing an article, and most writers don’t follow it. Yet, articles that fulfill this rule are the most successful ones. So when you apply it, you write better articles than most others.

The rule sounds simple but is not easy to follow. It means that you should dedicate the content to one single topic and don’t deviate from it. For instance, in the article you are currently reading, I stick to advice about how to write an article. I don’t tell you how to write an ebook .

You might think that many people who write articles also write ebooks, and this information might be of interest to them. This might be true. But it’s also true that people who don’t know how to get started with an article are probably not ready to write an ebook yet. That’s why I don’t include any advice about ebook writing and instead would link to an article about how to write an ebook.

You have to put yourself into the shoes of your readers. Keep the search intent of your focus keyword in mind. Someone who types these words into Google is looking for specific information. By deviating from it, you risk boring your readers and losing them.

That’s the last thing you want. And the good thing when writing online articles is that linking to other articles is very easy. So if you are not 100% sure if the information is of interest to all article readers, leave it out and simply link to the content with further information.

10. Avoid the curse of knowledge

It’s good to write about something you’re knowledgeable about. In the end, you have something to tell and to teach.

But when you write about a topic that you are very familiar with, you quickly fall into the trap of the curse of knowledge.

This can have two negative consequences, and you should avoid both like the plague.

• You tell your readers everything you know about the topic, or even worth, everything that is even loosely related to it

This is related to the rule of one. Many writers throw too much information at their readers, mostly because they want to demonstrate how much they know about a certain topic. They think that this signals credibility. What it really does is deviating from the subject and boring your readers.

• You don’t write in a way that your audience easily understands

The second danger is that you are using words your audience isn’t familiar with and assume your readers know something they don’t. Simply because you know so much about a certain topic, you cannot imagine how it is not knowing it. As an author, this problem can be very hard to spot. This is why editing is so important (see point 20)

But you’re losing people that way. Your readers might think that you’re smart, but they will nevertheless stop reading your content because they either find it not interesting or because they don’t understand it.

11. Include references from reliable sources

You should try to provide sources for the information you include. This makes you look credible and also gives your readers the chance to find out more. How many references you have to provide largely depends on the kind of article and the topic.

When you write about a personal experience, you won’t have to provide many sources, and even not mentioning any might be fine. When you write about how CBD oil can help with anxiety, you certainly want to link to some scientific studies proving your point.

12. Link to further information

No matter how long your article is, there is always more information about this topic. An easy way to provide value to your reader is to link to useful information. This can be to another article on your website or an external source.

Linking internally to other articles is also a valuable tool to stick to the point. When you catch yourself covering something that is not directly related to the topic, write a separate article about it and link to it.

Here’s an example of a link from one article to another.

13. Make it “snackable”

People who read online are often looking for quick information. They don’t sit down for three hours to read about a specific topic as they might do with a book. When they click on a Google search result, they skim through the article to see if it provides the information they are looking for. And even if they decide that the article is worth reading, they don’t want to read large text blocks.

For these reasons, you should

• Write short paragraphs
• Use many subheadings (as a rule of thumb, you should have at least one subheading every 300 words)
• Use bullet points where it makes sense
• Bold important information
• Use supporting infographics and pictures
• Summarize the most important points after a paragraph covering a lot of information

14. Make it an easy read

This point is related to the advice to make the content “snackable.” Furthermore, you should use uncomplicated language. Try to keep your sentences short and simple. Write in an active voice.

And avoid technical terms unless you’re 100% sure that your audience is familiar with them.

How “easy” the content is, depends, of course, on your audience’s background knowledge. To be precise, it should be an easy read for your audience, not necessarily for everyone.

15. Use the language of your audience

When you write an article for medical doctors, your tone and language differ from when you write for laypeople. Always keep your audience in mind and try to adopt their language. This way, your content relates to them, and it is easier to connect to them and build trust.

16. Write a compelling introduction

The introduction should explain why the article is relevant and how it solves the reader’s problems. You should keep it short and come straight to the point. The intro helps readers decide whether the article answers their question and it’s worth reading or whether they should look further.

For this reason, your introduction should raise the reader’s interest, but it should also reflect the content of the article. If you make false promises in your intro, you’ll disappoint your readers, and you risk that they won’t read your content in the future.

Mentioning a statistic, a quote, or an interesting, relevant fact is also an excellent way to start an article.

I personally prefer to write the introduction after writing the body of the article. I may write some notes before writing the article and then write it out later. Once the article is written, you have a clearer picture of the article’s content and how to lead into it.

17. End with a strong conclusion

It is a good idea to write the conclusion last. But when writing the article, you should already know what the conclusion is so that you can build up to it. As for the introduction, you can write down the points you want to mention and write them out later.

There are many different ways to write the conclusion. In many cases, it’s a good idea to summarize the article and emphasize the main takeaway. A call to action is also an excellent way to end an article.

I n the end, your article has a purpose, and you want your readers to do something after reading it.

You can guide them to further content, your products or ask them to sign-up for your newsletter, enquire about a product, service, or read an article. These are just a few examples; there are many more!

Here’s an example of a clear call to action for ketogenic meal plans.

18. Remove non-important and redundant information

Some people say that they try to shorten their text by one third once they are done writing. How much you have to shorten your text depends on your writing style. If you tend to write very wordy, include non-relevant information, and even repeat information, you’ll have to shorten a lot. When you already write concisely, removing a little bit here and there will be enough. But in general, shortening your text during the editing process will make your article a better read.

This doesn’t mean that you cannot write long articles. But they should be packed with information. That means that to fill a long article, you need a lot of information. Take this article as an example. It’s 3,500 words +, but it provides 21 useful tips, and every single one is valuable. So, your article should have substance. The worst thing is reading an article that says nothing. It’s a waste of time for your readers (and also a waste of time writing it).

19. Edit, edit, edit

Once you’re done writing, the editing starts. Editing can take as long as the writing itself or even longer. You often find the advice not to edit while writing because writing and editing are two separate processes. I don’t think this applies to everyone and largely depends on your writing style.

When you try to get everything perfect in the first draft, writing takes much longer, but you save time editing. When you write everything down as fast as possible, you’re done writing in no time, but editing will probably take longer than writing.

20. Ask someone for feedback

Having someone to edit your article and to provide feedback will always improve your article. This person will likely notice a few language flaws, even if you are a native speaker and your grammar and writing is very good.

The person can also tell you if the article’s structure makes sense and if the transitions are easy to follow. Most importantly, the editor can tell you whether everything is easy to understand. For this reason, it can be an advantage to have a non-expert. This is especially important when writing for lay people.

21. Make a final grammar check

Once the article went through some rounds of editing, you should do a final grammar check. Grammarly is a popular choice that detects most grammar flaws, suggests synonyms, and also checks punctuation. This is especially important when you’re not a native English speaker. But even if you’re native, a grammar checking program can make the text better.

The bottom line

Writing an article may seem simple, but it involves many steps. It’s not only about the writing; it’s also about finding ideas, doing research, and editing the article. Altogether, they can take more time and effort than the writing itself. 

Outsourcing articles can save you a lot of time and lets you focus on other parts of your business. Writing Studio has expert writers who can take care of all these steps. They know how to write articles that rank in Google and drive high-value traffic to your website.

Don’t forget to share this article!

Related articles

10 Places to Find CBD Content Writers for Hire

10 Places to Find Fashion Copywriters for Hire

10 Blogging Tips for Beginners in 2024

The Best Short Stories about School and Schooldays

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

What are the best short stories which are set in school, or which focus on school and one’s schooldays? There are plenty of stories which are ‘set in schools’ in the sense of being set reading for schoolchildren, but it’s harder to find some canonical and classic short stories which are about schooldays.

The following stories are all about school in one way or another. In one story, a couple of schoolboys play truant and bunk off school; in another, two schoolchildren of the future learn about old-fashioned schooling; and in yet another, we find ourselves observing schoolchildren on another planet, Venus.

What unites all of these short fictions is a focus on the experience of schooldays and how those formative years affect us; they are also about how schoolchildren tend to behave with one another.

James Joyce, ‘An Encounter’.

This rebuke during the sober hours of school paled much of the glory of the Wild West for me and the confused puffy face of Leo Dillon awakened one of my consciences. But when the restraining influence of the school was at a distance I began to hunger again for wild sensations, for the escape which those chronicles of disorder alone seemed to offer me …

This story, from Joyce’s 1914 collection Dubliners , is narrated by a man who is recalling an episode from his childhood, and specifically his schooldays in Dublin. The boy recounts how one of his schoolfriends, Leo Dillon, introduced him and a number of other boys to the adventure and excitement of the Wild West, before the two of them played truant from school one day.

They encounter a strange old man who seems to take an unusual interest in the boys’ love lives. This is a story best aimed at slightly older readers, given the unsavoury aspect of the strange old man …

Isaac Asimov, ‘The Fun They Had’.

This is a short story by the Russian-born American writer Isaac Asimov (1920-92). Like Asimov’s novel The Naked Sun , this story is one that has taken on new significance in the wake of 2020 and the shift to remote learning and working, and the themes of this 1951 story are as relevant to our own time as they were over seventy years ago when Asimov wrote it.

In the story, which is set in the year 2157, two children find an old paper book and reflect on how quaint it is, when compared with television screens on which they read in their own time. Stories about school, especially very short stories that are just a few pages long, lend themselves to study at school, and Asimov’s tale is light enough and brief enough to fit the bill, while also carrying some intriguing commentary on education and technology, among other things.

Ray Bradbury, ‘All Summer in a Day’.

This is a 1954 short story by the American science-fiction author Ray Bradbury (1920-2012). The story is set on Venus, where the sun only comes out once every seven years for a couple of hours; the rest of the time, the sun is hidden behind clouds and rains fall constantly.

‘All Summer in a Day’ is about a group of schoolchildren who have grown up on Venus, the sons and daughters of ‘rocket men and women’ who came to the planet from Earth, as the children prepare to experience the first ‘summer’ on Venus that they can remember. But one of the children, a young girl, remembers experiencing rain when she lived back on Earth. The other children grow jealous of her experience, and decide to act – with devastating results.

Donald Barthelme, ‘The School’.

‘The School’ is probably the best-known short story by the American writer Donald Barthelme (1931-89), whose work is sometimes labelled as ‘postmodernist’ (a label he was not entirely comfortable with, but which he accepted) and, occasionally, ‘metafiction’ (a label he was less happy with).

Published in the New Yorker in 1974, ‘The School’ is a short story about death, in which a series of animals and, eventually, children die at a school. One of the teachers at the school narrates these events, and the story ends with a discussion between the teacher and his pupils about the meaning of life when all life is filled with, and must end in, death.

Sandra Cisneros, ‘Eleven’.

Let’s conclude this pick of the best school-set stories with a very short piece of contemporary fiction. ‘Eleven’ is a short story by the American writer Sandra Cisneros (born 1954), who is known for her novel The House on Mango Street among other works.

In this story, a girl’s eleventh birthday is ruined when her teacher forces her to take responsibility for somebody else’s sweater. The narrator bursts into tears in front of her classmates and laments the fact that she isn’t older. Of all the stories included on this list, ‘Eleven’ is the one which delves most deeply into the psyche of a young schoolchild and her experience in school.

Discover more from Interesting Literature

Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.

Type your email…

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

How to write culture articles for a school magazine

Popular culture topics like music, movies, books, and art are a staple in any magazine, and work extremely well in a school magazine project. But, where do you start? We suggest you get together with your team and brainstorm ideas for your school magazine project. To help you get started writing, we have compiled a list of pop culture and history article topics for you to use in a school magazine.

Latest music

Look for the latest trends in music by going to Youtube trending music or taking a look at Spotify's official trending chart. Do you recognise any songs or artists? List the songs you like and don't like and explain why. Is there a particular sound that these songs have in common? Why are the songs so popular? While writing about the latest music, you could also choose to write a personal piece on a favourite artist, song, or genre.

Popular movies

Do a quick search of movies that are currently popular and write about the type of movie it is. Why is this movie popular right now? Next, pick a movie that you are most interested in and write about why it interests you the most. What type of movie is it? Then compare your own interests to the movies that are trending. Do you see a correlation or is the difference very large? Do you like the widely known blockbuster hits or prefer the more obscure indie films? There is no wrong answer. Writing about these topics will help you reflect on your own interests and provide some insight on popular movie trends that will interest readers.

Start browsing popular books lists from websites like Goodreads and Amazon to help you find good books to write about. Goodreads has a popular by date list that show you the most popular books by month and year. While Amazon has a variety of options of book lists, depending on what you are looking for. You can write an article comparing the different lists and seeing which genres seem to be the most popular. Take some time and read through some of the summaries of the top books. Is there a recurring genre or type of story? It is also nice to read through reviews and try to understand why the book is loved or hated.

What is your favourite book? What was the story? Write an article for your school magazine discussing what makes this particular author or book your favourite. What themes are present? What are the characters like? And, what does it mean to you?

Interesting Art

From architecture to graffiti to advertising, art is everywhere. Get your creative writing juices flowing and observe the art surrounding you or visit a museum. Enjoyment of art or what constitutes largely depends on your own taste. What is your story and relationship with art? Don't feel limited by what art is 'supposed' to be. Describe what art means to you and provide a visual next to compliment your article in a school magazine.

You could also choose to do an in-depth review for each of the topics above about one of the songs, artists, movies or books you have come across. A review is done by analysing whether or not the subject is any good, and why. Write down why you have chosen the work you're reviewing and explain the criteria you are using. We have experienced the best way to do this is by contrasting the work with another work at the same time. Always keep in mind who your audience is and why they would be interested in reading your review.

Recommendations

What music, movies, books, and art do you recommend? Simply take the ones you enjoyed the most and share recommendations based on why you like them. Try to be persuasive in your writing. Think about how your favourites make you feel and try to write in a way that will entice the reader to want to feel the same way by listening to a song, watching a movie, or reading your favourite book.

Similar Posts

Creating a friendship book for primary school | A friendship book with all your memories

Editorial | What is an editorial and how do you write one

Writing an advertorial

• Our Mission

Helping Middle and High School Students Cultivate Habits That Support Learning

Through explicit instruction, teachers can help students develop the skills necessary to do well in school.

To learn and be successful in school overall, middle and high school students need the building blocks of academic achievement, active engagement and motivation, and consistent attendance. Young people often need a little help from their teachers to get there. Taking some time to enhance foundational skills doesn’t mean we lower expectations or rigor for students . Instead, think of it as putting first things first—like placing the horse before the cart, so that it can pull it effectively and eventually effortlessly.

In coaching teachers, I’ve observed a need for more consensus and collaboration between them and students about cultivating the essentials for success. Unfortunately, youth aren’t always aware of how they can positively impact their learning outcomes. Rather than becoming informed stakeholders in their own learning, they unintentionally become impediments.

Using the following two steps, teachers and students can come to an understanding about the essentials for positive school outcomes through what’s called level-setting in the business world . These strategies also provide young people with some good goal-attainment skills.

2 Steps to Guide Students to School Success

Step 1: Explain the fundamentals and set clear expectations. It can be extremely difficult for youth to set goals to develop habits they don’t fully comprehend or see value in. Help define for them the areas in which they need to improve, while modeling and setting clear expectations of what success entails. Remember to use kid-friendly language and remain patient. What we consider common sense isn’t always common practice. Here are some examples of how to define the fundamentals for students.

Academic achievement is the ability to demonstrate growth in each school subject through grades and performance. To excel academically, students should create a personal system of strategies for effective problem-solving, studying, time management, and collaborating with peers for each class. Achieving small academic victories will nurture their self-efficacy levels and overall confidence.

Active engagement in class means students listen attentively when teachers talk, ask thoughtful questions when they’re unsure, complete tasks and assignments with their best effort, and participate in learning activities and class discussions. It also means students take responsibility for their own learning by remaining focused and present even when their classmates are not.

Motivation for their education refers to students inspiring themselves to complete their academic duties even when they don’t feel like it. We all face challenges, setbacks, and moments when we feel like doing anything other than studying or participating in an academic activity. Finding purpose and meaning in their education can be a powerful motivator for students, along with these proven self-motivation techniques . Teachers can encourage students to empower themselves by focusing on the benefits of positive learning outcomes (e.g., learning to apply a formula, scoring high scores on benchmarks, or developing elevated levels of self-agency ).

Consistent attendance means students attend class to remain engaged with their teachers, the material, and peers. You can’t learn if you’re not there is an excellent slogan to summarize why students must attend classes regularly. Good attendance enables teens to network and build the rapport and relationships required for academic and life success. Additionally, it keeps them on track with coursework and assignments and makes them less likely to fall behind socially and academically. Some students actually miss class due to concerns about their academic performance, but there are ways that teachers can lure them back .

Step 2: Encourage goal setting and goal attainment. There is more than one way to set goals and achieve them. For instance, SMART goals offer a good framework for helping individuals qualify goals, and Scholar Within, an online education company, provides this free downloadable and adaptable goal-planning template that teachers can use to help students. When the road to achieving a goal appears too complex, many students may give up without realizing that learning what to do along the way is part of the process. Teachers can help by making the distinction between goal setting and goal attainment for them. Goal setting is determining something you want. Goal attainment is the system or process one takes to get there.

After identifying an essential skill they want to improve in, assist students with developing a goal-setting sentence and then with practical and incremental attainment steps they would need to take to get there. Also, be prepared to assist with providing access to the tools, apps, resources, and manipulatives recommended in the goal-attainment steps.

Note: This example is for a middle school student looking to improve their academic achievement in math class. Feel free to use the goal-setting template provided, ensuring assistance with helping them craft a goal statement and mapping practical goal-attainment steps like those modeled here.

Student goal statement: “I will strive for academic excellence in my seventh-grade math class by learning and applying strategies that will help me to boost my confidence over time and to do well on assignments, quizzes, and end-of-year testing.”

Goal attainment steps and considerations for boosting math skills

• Practice arithmetic operations daily using real-life examples and apps that provide interactive practice exercises.
• Practice pre-algebra concepts using step-by-step problem-solving to decompose algebraic problems into smaller steps and follow a systematic problem-solving method. Understand algebraic concepts by using visual representations such as graphs and diagrams.
• Learn geometry fundamentals by building models of geometric shapes and using apps to manipulate geometric shapes and visualize properties, transformations, and calculations.
• Create a daily study schedule at home free of distractions and divide the time into practice and review.
• Stay motivated and consistent when the chips are down by cultivating a positive mindset and seeking positive words from my teacher, family, and friends. Keep everyone informed about my progress, and remember that setting goals takes time, failing forward, and persistence.

Transformation is complex because it requires stretching oneself to improve in areas one possibly hasn’t considered or previously attempted to work on—especially for young people. Engaging students in an activity to help them see a practical pathway is the scaffold that some need to get themselves on track.

Along with Stanford news and stories, show me:

• Student information
• Faculty/Staff information

We want to provide announcements, events, leadership messages and resources that are relevant to you. Your selection is stored in a browser cookie which you can remove at any time using “Clear all personalization” below.

Image credit: Claire Scully

New advances in technology are upending education, from the recent debut of new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT to the growing accessibility of virtual-reality tools that expand the boundaries of the classroom. For educators, at the heart of it all is the hope that every learner gets an equal chance to develop the skills they need to succeed. But that promise is not without its pitfalls.

“Technology is a game-changer for education – it offers the prospect of universal access to high-quality learning experiences, and it creates fundamentally new ways of teaching,” said Dan Schwartz, dean of Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE), who is also a professor of educational technology at the GSE and faculty director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning . “But there are a lot of ways we teach that aren’t great, and a big fear with AI in particular is that we just get more efficient at teaching badly. This is a moment to pay attention, to do things differently.”

For K-12 schools, this year also marks the end of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding program, which has provided pandemic recovery funds that many districts used to invest in educational software and systems. With these funds running out in September 2024, schools are trying to determine their best use of technology as they face the prospect of diminishing resources.

Here, Schwartz and other Stanford education scholars weigh in on some of the technology trends taking center stage in the classroom this year.

AI in the classroom

In 2023, the big story in technology and education was generative AI, following the introduction of ChatGPT and other chatbots that produce text seemingly written by a human in response to a question or prompt. Educators immediately worried that students would use the chatbot to cheat by trying to pass its writing off as their own. As schools move to adopt policies around students’ use of the tool, many are also beginning to explore potential opportunities – for example, to generate reading assignments or coach students during the writing process.

AI can also help automate tasks like grading and lesson planning, freeing teachers to do the human work that drew them into the profession in the first place, said Victor Lee, an associate professor at the GSE and faculty lead for the AI + Education initiative at the Stanford Accelerator for Learning. “I’m heartened to see some movement toward creating AI tools that make teachers’ lives better – not to replace them, but to give them the time to do the work that only teachers are able to do,” he said. “I hope to see more on that front.”

He also emphasized the need to teach students now to begin questioning and critiquing the development and use of AI. “AI is not going away,” said Lee, who is also director of CRAFT (Classroom-Ready Resources about AI for Teaching), which provides free resources to help teach AI literacy to high school students across subject areas. “We need to teach students how to understand and think critically about this technology.”

Immersive environments

The use of immersive technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality is also expected to surge in the classroom, especially as new high-profile devices integrating these realities hit the marketplace in 2024.

The educational possibilities now go beyond putting on a headset and experiencing life in a distant location. With new technologies, students can create their own local interactive 360-degree scenarios, using just a cell phone or inexpensive camera and simple online tools.

“This is an area that’s really going to explode over the next couple of years,” said Kristen Pilner Blair, director of research for the Digital Learning initiative at the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, which runs a program exploring the use of virtual field trips to promote learning. “Students can learn about the effects of climate change, say, by virtually experiencing the impact on a particular environment. But they can also become creators, documenting and sharing immersive media that shows the effects where they live.”

Integrating AI into virtual simulations could also soon take the experience to another level, Schwartz said. “If your VR experience brings me to a redwood tree, you could have a window pop up that allows me to ask questions about the tree, and AI can deliver the answers.”

Gamification

Another trend expected to intensify this year is the gamification of learning activities, often featuring dynamic videos with interactive elements to engage and hold students’ attention.

“Gamification is a good motivator, because one key aspect is reward, which is very powerful,” said Schwartz. The downside? Rewards are specific to the activity at hand, which may not extend to learning more generally. “If I get rewarded for doing math in a space-age video game, it doesn’t mean I’m going to be motivated to do math anywhere else.”

Gamification sometimes tries to make “chocolate-covered broccoli,” Schwartz said, by adding art and rewards to make speeded response tasks involving single-answer, factual questions more fun. He hopes to see more creative play patterns that give students points for rethinking an approach or adapting their strategy, rather than only rewarding them for quickly producing a correct response.

Data-gathering and analysis

The growing use of technology in schools is producing massive amounts of data on students’ activities in the classroom and online. “We’re now able to capture moment-to-moment data, every keystroke a kid makes,” said Schwartz – data that can reveal areas of struggle and different learning opportunities, from solving a math problem to approaching a writing assignment.

But outside of research settings, he said, that type of granular data – now owned by tech companies – is more likely used to refine the design of the software than to provide teachers with actionable information.

The promise of personalized learning is being able to generate content aligned with students’ interests and skill levels, and making lessons more accessible for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Realizing that promise requires that educators can make sense of the data that’s being collected, said Schwartz – and while advances in AI are making it easier to identify patterns and findings, the data also needs to be in a system and form educators can access and analyze for decision-making. Developing a usable infrastructure for that data, Schwartz said, is an important next step.

With the accumulation of student data comes privacy concerns: How is the data being collected? Are there regulations or guidelines around its use in decision-making? What steps are being taken to prevent unauthorized access? In 2023 K-12 schools experienced a rise in cyberattacks, underscoring the need to implement strong systems to safeguard student data.

Technology is “requiring people to check their assumptions about education,” said Schwartz, noting that AI in particular is very efficient at replicating biases and automating the way things have been done in the past, including poor models of instruction. “But it’s also opening up new possibilities for students producing material, and for being able to identify children who are not average so we can customize toward them. It’s an opportunity to think of entirely new ways of teaching – this is the path I hope to see.”

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Your Health

• Treatments & Tests
• Health Inc.
• Public Health

Why writing by hand beats typing for thinking and learning

Jonathan Lambert

If you're like many digitally savvy Americans, it has likely been a while since you've spent much time writing by hand.

The laborious process of tracing out our thoughts, letter by letter, on the page is becoming a relic of the past in our screen-dominated world, where text messages and thumb-typed grocery lists have replaced handwritten letters and sticky notes. Electronic keyboards offer obvious efficiency benefits that have undoubtedly boosted our productivity — imagine having to write all your emails longhand.

To keep up, many schools are introducing computers as early as preschool, meaning some kids may learn the basics of typing before writing by hand.

But giving up this slower, more tactile way of expressing ourselves may come at a significant cost, according to a growing body of research that's uncovering the surprising cognitive benefits of taking pen to paper, or even stylus to iPad — for both children and adults.

Is this some kind of joke? A school facing shortages starts teaching standup comedy

In kids, studies show that tracing out ABCs, as opposed to typing them, leads to better and longer-lasting recognition and understanding of letters. Writing by hand also improves memory and recall of words, laying down the foundations of literacy and learning. In adults, taking notes by hand during a lecture, instead of typing, can lead to better conceptual understanding of material.

"There's actually some very important things going on during the embodied experience of writing by hand," says Ramesh Balasubramaniam , a neuroscientist at the University of California, Merced. "It has important cognitive benefits."

While those benefits have long been recognized by some (for instance, many authors, including Jennifer Egan and Neil Gaiman , draft their stories by hand to stoke creativity), scientists have only recently started investigating why writing by hand has these effects.

A slew of recent brain imaging research suggests handwriting's power stems from the relative complexity of the process and how it forces different brain systems to work together to reproduce the shapes of letters in our heads onto the page.

Your brain on handwriting

Both handwriting and typing involve moving our hands and fingers to create words on a page. But handwriting, it turns out, requires a lot more fine-tuned coordination between the motor and visual systems. This seems to more deeply engage the brain in ways that support learning.

Shots - Health News

Feeling artsy here's how making art helps your brain.

"Handwriting is probably among the most complex motor skills that the brain is capable of," says Marieke Longcamp , a cognitive neuroscientist at Aix-Marseille Université.

Gripping a pen nimbly enough to write is a complicated task, as it requires your brain to continuously monitor the pressure that each finger exerts on the pen. Then, your motor system has to delicately modify that pressure to re-create each letter of the words in your head on the page.

"Your fingers have to each do something different to produce a recognizable letter," says Sophia Vinci-Booher , an educational neuroscientist at Vanderbilt University. Adding to the complexity, your visual system must continuously process that letter as it's formed. With each stroke, your brain compares the unfolding script with mental models of the letters and words, making adjustments to fingers in real time to create the letters' shapes, says Vinci-Booher.

That's not true for typing.

To type "tap" your fingers don't have to trace out the form of the letters — they just make three relatively simple and uniform movements. In comparison, it takes a lot more brainpower, as well as cross-talk between brain areas, to write than type.

Recent brain imaging studies bolster this idea. A study published in January found that when students write by hand, brain areas involved in motor and visual information processing " sync up " with areas crucial to memory formation, firing at frequencies associated with learning.

"We don't see that [synchronized activity] in typewriting at all," says Audrey van der Meer , a psychologist and study co-author at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She suggests that writing by hand is a neurobiologically richer process and that this richness may confer some cognitive benefits.

Other experts agree. "There seems to be something fundamental about engaging your body to produce these shapes," says Robert Wiley , a cognitive psychologist at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. "It lets you make associations between your body and what you're seeing and hearing," he says, which might give the mind more footholds for accessing a given concept or idea.

Those extra footholds are especially important for learning in kids, but they may give adults a leg up too. Wiley and others worry that ditching handwriting for typing could have serious consequences for how we all learn and think.

What might be lost as handwriting wanes

The clearest consequence of screens and keyboards replacing pen and paper might be on kids' ability to learn the building blocks of literacy — letters.

"Letter recognition in early childhood is actually one of the best predictors of later reading and math attainment," says Vinci-Booher. Her work suggests the process of learning to write letters by hand is crucial for learning to read them.

"When kids write letters, they're just messy," she says. As kids practice writing "A," each iteration is different, and that variability helps solidify their conceptual understanding of the letter.

Research suggests kids learn to recognize letters better when seeing variable handwritten examples, compared with uniform typed examples.

This helps develop areas of the brain used during reading in older children and adults, Vinci-Booher found.

"This could be one of the ways that early experiences actually translate to long-term life outcomes," she says. "These visually demanding, fine motor actions bake in neural communication patterns that are really important for learning later on."

Ditching handwriting instruction could mean that those skills don't get developed as well, which could impair kids' ability to learn down the road.

"If young children are not receiving any handwriting training, which is very good brain stimulation, then their brains simply won't reach their full potential," says van der Meer. "It's scary to think of the potential consequences."

Many states are trying to avoid these risks by mandating cursive instruction. This year, California started requiring elementary school students to learn cursive , and similar bills are moving through state legislatures in several states, including Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina and Wisconsin. (So far, evidence suggests that it's the writing by hand that matters, not whether it's print or cursive.)

Slowing down and processing information

For adults, one of the main benefits of writing by hand is that it simply forces us to slow down.

During a meeting or lecture, it's possible to type what you're hearing verbatim. But often, "you're not actually processing that information — you're just typing in the blind," says van der Meer. "If you take notes by hand, you can't write everything down," she says.

The relative slowness of the medium forces you to process the information, writing key words or phrases and using drawing or arrows to work through ideas, she says. "You make the information your own," she says, which helps it stick in the brain.

Such connections and integration are still possible when typing, but they need to be made more intentionally. And sometimes, efficiency wins out. "When you're writing a long essay, it's obviously much more practical to use a keyboard," says van der Meer.

Still, given our long history of using our hands to mark meaning in the world, some scientists worry about the more diffuse consequences of offloading our thinking to computers.

"We're foisting a lot of our knowledge, extending our cognition, to other devices, so it's only natural that we've started using these other agents to do our writing for us," says Balasubramaniam.

It's possible that this might free up our minds to do other kinds of hard thinking, he says. Or we might be sacrificing a fundamental process that's crucial for the kinds of immersive cognitive experiences that enable us to learn and think at our full potential.

Balasubramaniam stresses, however, that we don't have to ditch digital tools to harness the power of handwriting. So far, research suggests that scribbling with a stylus on a screen activates the same brain pathways as etching ink on paper. It's the movement that counts, he says, not its final form.

Jonathan Lambert is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance journalist who covers science, health and policy.

• handwriting

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Letter of Recommendation

What I’ve Learned From My Students’ College Essays

The genre is often maligned for being formulaic and melodramatic, but it’s more important than you think.

By Nell Freudenberger

Most high school seniors approach the college essay with dread. Either their upbringing hasn’t supplied them with several hundred words of adversity, or worse, they’re afraid that packaging the genuine trauma they’ve experienced is the only way to secure their future. The college counselor at the Brooklyn high school where I’m a writing tutor advises against trauma porn. “Keep it brief , ” she says, “and show how you rose above it.”

I started volunteering in New York City schools in my 20s, before I had kids of my own. At the time, I liked hanging out with teenagers, whom I sometimes had more interesting conversations with than I did my peers. Often I worked with students who spoke English as a second language or who used slang in their writing, and at first I was hung up on grammar. Should I correct any deviation from “standard English” to appeal to some Wizard of Oz behind the curtains of a college admissions office? Or should I encourage students to write the way they speak, in pursuit of an authentic voice, that most elusive of literary qualities?

In fact, I was missing the point. One of many lessons the students have taught me is to let the story dictate the voice of the essay. A few years ago, I worked with a boy who claimed to have nothing to write about. His life had been ordinary, he said; nothing had happened to him. I asked if he wanted to try writing about a family member, his favorite school subject, a summer job? He glanced at his phone, his posture and expression suggesting that he’d rather be anywhere but in front of a computer with me. “Hobbies?” I suggested, without much hope. He gave me a shy glance. “I like to box,” he said.

I’ve had this experience with reluctant writers again and again — when a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously. Of course the primary goal of a college essay is to help its author get an education that leads to a career. Changes in testing policies and financial aid have made applying to college more confusing than ever, but essays have remained basically the same. I would argue that they’re much more than an onerous task or rote exercise, and that unlike standardized tests they are infinitely variable and sometimes beautiful. College essays also provide an opportunity to learn precision, clarity and the process of working toward the truth through multiple revisions.

When a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously.

Even if writing doesn’t end up being fundamental to their future professions, students learn to choose language carefully and to be suspicious of the first words that come to mind. Especially now, as college students shoulder so much of the country’s ethical responsibility for war with their protest movement, essay writing teaches prospective students an increasingly urgent lesson: that choosing their own words over ready-made phrases is the only reliable way to ensure they’re thinking for themselves.

Teenagers are ideal writers for several reasons. They’re usually free of preconceptions about writing, and they tend not to use self-consciously ‘‘literary’’ language. They’re allergic to hypocrisy and are generally unfiltered: They overshare, ask personal questions and call you out for microaggressions as well as less egregious (but still mortifying) verbal errors, such as referring to weed as ‘‘pot.’’ Most important, they have yet to put down their best stories in a finished form.

I can imagine an essay taking a risk and distinguishing itself formally — a poem or a one-act play — but most kids use a more straightforward model: a hook followed by a narrative built around “small moments” that lead to a concluding lesson or aspiration for the future. I never get tired of working with students on these essays because each one is different, and the short, rigid form sometimes makes an emotional story even more powerful. Before I read Javier Zamora’s wrenching “Solito,” I worked with a student who had been transported by a coyote into the U.S. and was reunited with his mother in the parking lot of a big-box store. I don’t remember whether this essay focused on specific skills or coping mechanisms that he gained from his ordeal. I remember only the bliss of the parent-and-child reunion in that uninspiring setting. If I were making a case to an admissions officer, I would suggest that simply being able to convey that experience demonstrates the kind of resilience that any college should admire.

The essays that have stayed with me over the years don’t follow a pattern. There are some narratives on very predictable topics — living up to the expectations of immigrant parents, or suffering from depression in 2020 — that are moving because of the attention with which the student describes the experience. One girl determined to become an engineer while watching her father build furniture from scraps after work; a boy, grieving for his mother during lockdown, began taking pictures of the sky.

If, as Lorrie Moore said, “a short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage,” what is a college essay? Every once in a while I sit down next to a student and start reading, and I have to suppress my excitement, because there on the Google Doc in front of me is a real writer’s voice. One of the first students I ever worked with wrote about falling in love with another girl in dance class, the absolute magic of watching her move and the terror in the conflict between her feelings and the instruction of her religious middle school. She made me think that college essays are less like love than limerence: one-sided, obsessive, idiosyncratic but profound, the first draft of the most personal story their writers will ever tell.

Nell Freudenberger’s novel “The Limits” was published by Knopf last month. She volunteers through the PEN America Writers in the Schools program.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

School’s new rules are so strict ’30 have been suspended and 40 have quit’

Share this with

Parents say children at a secondary school are being treated like ‘prisoners’ thanks to strict ‘new rules’ – including a ban on speaking in the corridors.

Brakenhale School in Berkshire has faced repeated complaints from parents, with some comparing it to a ‘military camp’ since headteacher Camilla Douglas joined in February.

But now parents claim things have got even worse – with kids reportedly being told they have just three seconds to look at a teacher who is talking to them.

Concerned parents say 30 kids were suspended in the new head’s first week alone, and say pupils are being told off for having a ‘fake cough’, short hair, or false eyelashes.

Others claim 40 children have moved from the school to a nearby secondary school in just a single week after requesting transfers.

Complaints are flooded in every day towards the school regarding the new headteacher and the rules and regulations she has put in place.

Parents Keith Ellis, 41, and Kelly Ellis, 46, have two children at the school – Frankie, 14, and Teddy, 15.

The couple say they would move them to a different school in a heartbeat if they weren’t currently preparing for exams.

Kelly, a hairdresser, said rules she deems are unfair include one requiring students to put everything down and look at their teacher when they say ‘1, 2, 3’ – or else the students get a warning.

Kelly said: ‘They have literally been silenced the whole day and they’re even escorted out of the premises.’

Keith added: ‘Our youngest son got punched in the face by a student, which then our son was also put into isolation because he pushed the boy back.’

The couple’s son, Frankie, was allegedly sent into isolation because his ‘haircut was too short’ – the same happened when he coughed, because the teacher said it was ‘fake’.

They say the school’s safeguarding team have been ‘terrific’, but aren’t happy with other staff or the rules.

Parent Nicole Alder, 40, has a 15 year old at the school and said students go without talking for up to three hours, because they ‘aren’t allowed to speak’ in the corridors between lessons.

She described the policy as ‘very military and very like kids should be seen not heard’ – adding that another pupil was sent away from school due to wearing fake eye lashes by a teacher who was also wearing fake eye lashes.

A Facebook page set up by parents of children at the school also contains a large list of complaints.

The headteacher said: ‘We do not comment through the press on matters regarding students and encourage any parents or previous employees with concerns to contact the school directly.’

Grainne Siggins, executive director for people at Bracknell Forest Council, said: ‘Brakenhale School is an academy in the Greenshaw Learning Trust and therefore any complaints should be made directly to the school so their complaints process can be followed.

‘The council is not responsible for the day-to-day handling of parental complaints at any school in the borough, and would only respond to allegations relating to safeguarding concerns.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

MORE : Tottenham must lose their small-club mentality and look to learn from Arsenal

MORE : Town struck by severe diarrhoea outbreak from contaminated tap water

MORE : Conspiracy theories are spreading across UK schools

Sign Up for News Updates

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more.

Privacy Policy

Get us in your feed