How to bring db into archivelog

First check if it is enabled or disabled
sql > archive log list

1)Shut the database
sql> shut immediate
2)start in mount stage
sql>startup mount

3) Issue the alter command
sql> alter database archivelog

4)to check if it is enabled give

sql > archive log list

5)Bring it in open stage

sql> alter database open

6)to force a log switchto check if it is generating archives give

sql > alter system switch logfile