ABSTRACT
Articles, essays and reports have two main aims: (1) to hold their reader’s attention, and (2) to argue persuasively. Of these, the first one is essential while the second might be modified. You will always have to persuade your reader that the topic you are writing about is interesting and significant, but instead of presenting a single, strong argument, you may intend to offer a broad survey. How to hold your reader’s attention comes first, but after that you can either take them on a well-planned guided tour of the topic, or straight to the point you are arguing.
