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Article (publishing)

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An article is a stand-alone section of a larger written work. These nonfictional prose compositions appear in magazines, newspapers, academic journals, the internet, or any other type of publication.

Elements of an article

Headline

A headline is text at the top of a newspaper article, indicating the nature of the article below it. The headline of the article catches the attention of the reader and relates well to the topic.

Lead

The lead (sometimes spelled lede) sentence captures the attention of the reader and sums up the focus of the story. The lead also establishes the subject, sets the tone, and guides the reader into the article.

In a news story, the introductory paragraph tells the most important facts and answers the questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how. In a feature story, the author may choose to open with any number of ways including the following:

-anecdote 

    °shocking or startling statement
-a generalization 
    °description
-pure information 
    °a quote
    °a comparison
-a question

Body

Body of news story

  • For the news story, details and elaboration are evident in the body of the news story and flow smoothly from the lead.
  • Quotes are used to add interest and support to the story.
  • The inverted pyramid is used with most news stories.

Body of feature article

Feature articles follow a format appropriate for its type. Structures for these types of articles may include, but are not limited to:

  • vandalize - the article may contain useless information, but preferably not.
  • chronological — the article may be a narrative of some sort.
  • cause and effect — the reasons and results of an event or process is examined.
  • classification — items in an article are grouped to help aid understanding
  • compare and contrast— two or more items are examined side-by-side to see their similarities and differences
  • list — A simple item-by-item run-down of pieces of information.
  • question and answer —such as an interview with a celebrity or expert.

Conclusion

One difference between a news story and a feature article is the conclusion. Endings for hard news article occur when all of the information has been presented according to the inverted pyramid form. By contrast, the feature article needs more definite closure. The conclusions for these articles may include, but are not limited to:

  • a final quote
  • a descriptive scene
  • a play on the title or lead
  • a summary statement

Characteristics of well-written articles

  • The piece is a factual account of a newsworthy event.
  • The writer is objective and shows all sides to an issue.
  • The sources for this news story are identified and are reliable.
  • Show, don't tell.

References

  1. Sova, Dawn (2002). How to Write Articles for Newspapers and Magazines. Thomson Arco.
  2. Polking, Kirk (1990). Writing A to Z. Writer's Digest Books.
  3. Wilson, John M (1993). The Complete Guide to Magazine Article Writing. Writer's Digest Books.
  4. Polking, Kirk (1990). Writing A to Z. Writer's Digest Books.
  5. Wilson, John M (1993). The Complete Guide to Magazine Article Writing. Writer's Digest Books.
  6. Boggess, Louise (1981). How to Write Fillers and Short Features That Sell. Harper & Row.
  7. Wray, Cheryl Sloan Writing for Magazines: A Beginner's Guide. NTC Publishing Group=1990.
  8. Wray, Cheryl Sloan Writing for Magazines: A Beginner's Guide. NTC Publishing Group=1990.
  9. Wray, Cheryl Sloan Writing for Magazines: A Beginner's Guide. NTC Publishing Group=1990.
  10. Wilson, John M (1993). The Complete Guide to Magazine Article Writing. Writer's Digest Books.
  11. Polking, Kirk (1990). Writing A to Z. Writer's Digest Books.
  12. Polking, Kirk (1990). Writing A to Z. Writer's Digest Books.
  13. Jacobi, Peter (1991). The Magazine Article: How to Think It, Plan It, Write It. Writer's Digest Books.
  14. Polking, Kirk (1990). Writing A to Z. Writer's Digest Books.
  15. Jacobi, Peter (1991). The Magazine Article: How to Think It, Plan It, Write It. Writer's Digest Books.
  16. Sova, Dawn (2002). How to Write Articles for Newspapers and Magazines. Thomson Arco.
  17. Wray, Cheryl Sloan Writing for Magazines: A Beginner's Guide. NTC Publishing Group=1990.



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Last updated on Wednesday March 12, 2008 at 16:10:46 PDT (GMT -0700)
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