I haven't started working on my article yet, but it'll be explaining Christmas music - mostly the history of Christmas carols. However, I found some pretty interesting facts on the origins of some popular carols and how they aren't in any way related to Christmas. How can I shift from the complete history of Christmas carols to explaining details about specific ones?

Perhaps divide it all into categories:

Popular songs for the season
Christmas carols written just for Christmas
Christmas carols adapted from another time
(etc.)

What other categories can you think of? Once you have this figured out, you'll be able to choose two or three categories to concentrate on and which songs to include.

To shift from the complete history of Christmas carols to explaining details about specific ones in your article, you can follow these steps:

1. Begin with an introduction: Start by providing a brief overview of the topic, introducing the history of Christmas carols and their significance during the holiday season. Explain why they have become an integral part of Christmas celebrations.

2. Break down the history: Next, delve into the broader history of Christmas carols by highlighting key moments, such as the origins of caroling, the role of church hymns, and the evolution of carol traditions across different cultures and time periods. This section should serve as a foundation for understanding the context and relevance of specific carols.

3. Select popular carols: Identify a few well-known Christmas carols that you find interesting due to their unconventional origins. Provide a transition sentence or paragraph to indicate that you will be focusing on these specific carols in the following sections.

4. Research each carol: Conduct in-depth research on the origins and stories behind each carol you wish to include. Look for information on their composers, original intentions, and any unexpected or non-Christmas-related background they might have. Collect interesting details and anecdotes to make your explanation engaging.

5. Organize your content: Structure your article by dedicating sections or subsections to each carol. Start with a brief introduction to the carol, including its title, composer (if known), and any relevant historical context. Then, dive into the specific details you gathered during your research, highlighting the non-Christmas-related aspects that make these carols unique.

6. Provide analysis and interpretation: Alongside sharing the facts about each carol's origins, offer your analysis and interpretation. Discuss why you find these details intriguing, consider the impact they had on the carols' popularity or cultural significance, and explore how these non-Christmas-related elements might influence the way people listen to and appreciate the music.

7. Conclude and summarize: Wrap up your article by summarizing the key points you discussed about each carol. Reflect on the overall significance of these unconventional origins, and how they contribute to the broader tapestry of Christmas music traditions.

Remember to maintain a coherent narrative throughout your article, ensuring smooth transitions between each section. Use headings and subheadings for clarity and structure. Additionally, make sure to cite your sources properly and cross-check the information you find to ensure accuracy and reliability.