Essay vs. Article: What is the Difference?

For the month of June, I am blogging about essays.  What is the difference between an article and an essay?  Here are some basic ways in which the two forms of writing differ.

1.  While articles are brief, about 500 to 1500 words in length, essays are long, up to 10,000 words in length.

http://jokerific.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/essay-length.jpg

2.  Essays include citations and references, both not required of an article.

http://philippedelacourcelle.com/mla-citation-powerpoint/

3.  The purpose of an article is to give a factual account whereas the purpose of an essay is to focus on a central argument and its supporting arguments.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zw8sgk7/revision

4.  Articles focus on topics like business, weight loss, health and travel, whereas essays focus on subjects such as historical events, characters or science experiments.

https://essaybox.org/

5.  Articles are usually accompanied by photographs; however, essays usually do not require photographs.

http://www.mdgadvertising.com/blog/its-all-about-the-images-infographic/

6.  Essays are usually subjective in nature whereas articles should be objective.

7.  Articles are often written in a conversational tone, but essays take on an educational tone.

http://classroom.synonym.com/examples-tone-persuasive-writing-5886.html

8.  Essays, critical analyses, discuss the pros and cons of an argument, whereas articles, descriptive analyses, merely describe the topic.

https://toughsledding.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/dont-let-positive-thinking-impede-critical-analysis/

9.  Essays require a conclusion, but articles do not.

http://www.wikihow.com/End-an-Essay

10.  Articles require headings and subheadings to help the reader follow along whereas essays do not.

http://line25.com/articles/15-must-read-articles-for-css-beginners

For more information, visit http://www.projectguru.in/publications/difference-between-essay-article-and-journal/.

Blogging: Choosing a Niche

You have decided that you want to enter the blogosphere.  You have come to the right place.  I am devoting the month of February to blogging.

The first question you have to answer is:  "What would I like my blog to be about?"  Here were some popular blog topics for 2014.

1.  parenting:  Mommy blogs are all the rage on the Internet.  Check out my friend's blog Three Kids (A Husband) and a Teabag at threekidsandateabag.wordpress.com.

2.  hobbies:  Maybe you collect hockey cards like my husband.  Maybe you are a knitting expert.  Join a network of people who share your hobby.  Check out myhockeycardobsession.blogspot.ca.

3.  technology:  Learn about the latest and greatest in the field of technology.  Check out mashable.com.

4.  politics:  Engage in intense debate.  Be prepared to answer questions.  Grow your readership quickly.  Check out Ordinary Times:  On Culture & Politics at ordinary-gentlemen.com.

5.  news:  Share new ideas or put a new spin on an old idea.  Check out huffingtonpost.com.

6.  journaling:  Declare your hopes and dreams to the world.  Share reflections on life which resonate with readers.  Check out www.livejournal.com.

7.  deals/frugal living:  Maybe you are a coupon queen.  Perhaps you have tricks to stretch your budget.  Check out www.thefrugalgirl.com.

8.  DIY & design:  Bring your creative skills to the Internet so that others can be inspired.  Check out House Tweaking at www.housetweaking.com.

9.  fitness:  Help readers get fit.  Check out www.irunnerblog.com.

10.  food:  This theme is so popular that it has its own book Food Blogging for Dummies.  Check out Top with Cinnamon at www.topwithcinnamon.com.

11.  history:  Check sites like thisdayinhistory.com for inspiration.  Check out Civil Warriors at civilwarriors.net.

12.  fashion:  Maybe you are a fashion design student at college.  What a great forum a blog could be for your ideas!  Check out Brooklyn Blonde at www.brooklynblonde.com.

13.  travel:  If you are a frequent traveller, blog about your trips.  Check out The Traveling Type at blog.travelchannel.com.

14.  books:  A strong reader makes a strong writer.  Post book reviews.  Check out The Book Wheel at www.thebookwheelblog.com.

15.  marriage:  My writer friend shares her ideas about marriage at www.sheilawraygregoire.com.

16.  photography:  My Grandad Stroud was an amateur photographer who even won contests for some of his photos including one of my doe-eyed sister Lisa as a baby and one of a close up of a blue jay.  What better way to share your prize photos than through blogging?  Check out www.robertkruh.com.

17,  antiques:  Maybe you're addicted to the Antiques Road Show.  Check out antiquesdiva.com.

18.  gardening:  My Grandad Tufts, a teacher, used to spend his summers gardening; in fact, his backyard was simply one big garden.  Check out reddirtramblings.com voted one of the top ten gardening blogs by Better Homes & Gardens.

19.  sports:  If you like football, check out www.yardbarker.com.

20.  music:  If you like country music check out theboot.com.


Note:  For more tips, check out "All of the Good Ideas are Already Taken:  Tips to Help You Pick a Niche" at http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/niche-selection-tips/.

www.problogger.net