How to Write a Good Article — Cores.Media

A well-structured article is more likely to be read, shared, and taken seriously by decision-makers. These guidelines help your work land with the impact it deserves.

1. Headline

• State clearly what the article is about — avoid vague or clickbait framing.
• Keep it factual and specific: a reader should know what they're getting before they click.
• Avoid loaded or emotionally manipulative language in the title itself, even if the topic is contentious.

2. Opening (first paragraph)

• Lead with the core question or claim the article addresses — don't bury it.
• Give the reader a reason to keep reading within the first few sentences.

3. Subheadings

• Break the article into clear sections with descriptive subheadings.
• Each subheading should tell the reader what that section covers, so the article is scannable, not just readable start to finish.
• Aim for one main idea per section.

4. Paragraphs and sentences

• Keep paragraphs short — one idea per paragraph.
• Prefer clear, direct sentences over long, complex ones.
• Avoid jargon where a plainer word works just as well; explain necessary technical terms briefly.

5. Sources and evidence

• Follow the Fact-Based Approach guidelines: claims are backed by traceable sources, disagreement is acknowledged, interests are disclosed.
• Link or cite sources close to the claim they support, not only in a list at the end.

6. Closing

• End with a clear takeaway — what should the reader understand or do with this information?
• If the article relates to a specific question directed at a decision-maker, this is a natural place to reference it.

7. Length

• Long enough to cover the topic properly, short enough to respect the reader's time — as a general guide, most articles work well in the range of 600–1200 words.
• If the topic needs more space, use subheadings generously to keep it navigable.

8. Images

• Images matter for both readability and how the article looks when shared — a strong image increases the chance your article gets read and shared further.
• All images use a 16:9 aspect ratio; please crop or select images with this in mind so they display correctly.
• If you don't add your own image, the system automatically adds a default image based on the article's topic — so every article looks complete either way, but an image you choose yourself will represent your article far better than a generic default.
• Choose images that are directly relevant to the content — avoid decorative or misleading images that don't relate to the article's actual subject.
• Make sure you have the right to use any image you upload (your own work, licensed stock imagery, or images explicitly marked for reuse).