Ok, don't worry about technique.

If you're talking about pop-punk (which I think you might be) here's your tip.

For the main riff of your song, focus around the progression I, V, VI, IV, I

in other words, these power chords (in the key of C):

C (third fret A string and 5th fret D string)
G (third fret E string and 5th fret A string)
A (fifth fret E string and 7th fret A string)
F (first fret E string and 3rd fret A string)

There ya go, you now have every pop punk song ever.