So assuming you have found a good keyword to go after, (using a keyword tool), type it into Google.

Then have a look at what's on the first and second page.

What Google is delivering to you is what they think is the best results in the entire web for that keyword phrase.

Whether it is, or not, is debatable, but also irrelevant, because the algorithm thinks it is.

So at the very least you should cover the same topics and or sub topics.

Find out what's common between them all.

For example, if I want to rank for "how to tie a tie" (assuming the keyword difficulty says it's easy to rank for) then my research shows that just about all the websites on the frontpage cover the different tie knots, as in , Four in hand knot, half windsor, windsor knot, pratt knot.

So my article should cover the same.

Don't copy them, just take what's common and create your own based on your own interruptation.

All the research you'll ever need to write your article should be there on the first and second page.

Best,
Frank