ARTICLE WRITING:Introduction, Definition, Contents, Main Segments, Main body

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HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE?:It is more efficient, It is more believable >>

Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

LESSON 36

ARTICLE WRITING

Three aspects to be discussed under this title: Introduction, Aspects and Article writing in the present age.

Introduction

Article is an important element of magazine journalism, which is preferred by all, that is, both novices

and experience writers. Interestingly, it has never seen a decline. However, there a new writers, who try

their hands with changes in structure.

Article closely connected to features and columns

Article is closely connected other forms of writing, especially features and columns. A feature can contain

many articles, while a column can be an article-cum-commutative piece. There are certain structural and

subject similarities.

Definition

"A piece of writing bringing the subject to fore from one angle with a beginning, a middle and ending,

while all parts are juxtaposed systematically."

Contents

Content of the article varies from subject to subject possibly discussing the subject from one, but

prominent angle, which is totally unlike a feature.

In an article, the writer is not discussing a subject from all possible angles, and is sticking to an aspect

only. Besides these, no personalised version is allowed. However, there are people, who are including

personal views blatantly.

Style

As style varies from individual to individual, the information and instruction remain the basic elements,

and it is less of a personalised version of subjects. But present day article carry personal events as articles,

but there is no room for personal comments in articles. However, observations and suggestions from the

third party can be given, while never letting your own opinion sway the subject. It also sticks to the point

sans any digressions.

Main Segments

Following are the main segments of an article.

Intro

A powerful quote can also make an exciting, intriguing article lead or intro.

Nut graph

Give a slant to the idea to get the reader involved

Main body

Bring the subject to life, a little story that narrates the subject or a sort of anecdote.

Intrigue, Excite or startle the reader nothing hooks readers faster than a question that asks something they

have always wondered about.

Readers, Editors and even writers like to puzzle over paradoxes of all kinds.

Appeal directly to the readers' emotions or use some sort of persuasive matter.

Conclusion Ending never means to stop writing

Leave a feeling among readers that article has come to a successful conclusion

Ending is a reiteration, a summation or in some cases a statement that there is more to be learned

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

Subjects from the most serious to ordinary

Article can very from very serious to ordinary, that is, from religious to political, and from social to

personal.

Mostly social aspects are considered for writing, while politics are primarily for columnists and op-ed

pages.

Article in modern times

Divergent views about the popularity, as some consider its popularity dwindling; while to some still

consider a popular type of writing. But it is not exactly the case, as people are still writing and being

successful.

Magazine is the main area though Op-ed pages also finding spaces for articles.

Lost its importance--if so then why being written

It is usually determined by the local conditions and the predilections of the concerned writers. One

criterion for gauging the success of an article lies in his efficiency and proficiency to attract and hold the

readers. A successful writer must possess some cardinal points to impel the readers to continue the

perusals of the column carefully and with deep and keen interest. People are still reading, writing and

talking about articles.

Still existent and popular

Articles are being contributed to magazines in a large number, while novices start with writing articles,

and then move to other genres. However, not only novices, but also experienced writers do work on it.

Most important part of the magazine journalism

Magazines carry articles plus columns, while the features are the usual part.

But articles are comparatively easy to write, and is a popular genre. Most magazines are carrying articles,

while there is a less usage of articles in dailies, but under certain circumstances, articles are published.

How being contributed?

Both, novices and experienced writers, and freelancers and staffers, are contributing articles on their own,

where sometimes they are requested to, which are named as `Solicited versus unsolicited articles.

For solicited, the guidelines are given.

Who write?

All can contribute, and articles are published depending upon the quality and subject. Both freelancers

and the staffers, but mostly freelancers do this, and are being paid well. However, the beginners and

experienced both write this.

First step towards better writings

Mostly it is advised by others to start writing articles, and mending their ways of writing besides

imparting training the novices in the art of writing.

Later, they move to other genres, like features and columns, as experience is gained through the article-

writing. Magazines act as a net-practice arena for the novices.

Learning the ropes

Article-writing is towards making an improvement towards other kinds of writing, as the basic training is

imparted about the subject treatment, structural handling, concluding the subject and playing with the

idea.

Making it happen for you

Let the writers start writing! When article length can vary, hence novices have bigger room to play. They

can write from two to three paragraphs to full-fledged articles, while letting the idea and writing ability to

mature over a period of time. For beginners, they first must consider it for writing, and then follow other

kinds of writing.

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