Write A Great Article - For Magazines, Blogs and Squidoo
Articles aim to inform, entertain and persuade readers. But most articles will do all three to some degree. Online articles require you to be able to grab the reader's attention quickly and hold that attention. Writing a great article isn't always easy and there are alot of aspects that combine together to make a great and smooth flowing article.
The following hints, tips and ideas will apply to all types of feature articles, this includes magazine articles, newspaper articles, blog posts, online article writing and Squidoo lenses.
The following hints, tips and ideas will apply to all types of feature articles, this includes magazine articles, newspaper articles, blog posts, online article writing and Squidoo lenses.
Contents
A Feature Article
Informs, Entertains & Persuades.
Purpose - The Mission of a Feature Article
Feature articles are detailed pieces of writing which explore a range of issues, opinions, experiences and ideas. The purpose of a feature article will vary depending on the media it is meant for. Feature articles should appeal to the particular audience the article is targetting. For example if a magazine was targeted at middle aged women, then the articles, advertising and pictures within that magazine would reflect their interest in lifestyle, career, money, health and reationships. Types of Text
Feature articles can be informative, entertaining, persuasive or they may simply satisfy the reader's curiosity about a particular topic. A feature article may provide more information about an important issue, offer an opinion about current affairs or simply present a personal or humorous perspective on modern day life. Unlike news reports which can quickly go out of date, feature articles have a more general focus and do not go out of date after a few days.Feature writers are often regular contributors who have particular expertise or interest in their subject or topic. Article writers go beyond just the facts on the surface and add colour, detail, background and personal comment. The appeal of feature articles is usually the personal perspective on offer.
Types of Feature Articles Include:
- Analysis and opinion on current issues.
- Profiles of, or interviews with well known-people. (Think SquidWho)
- Humorous reflections
- Personal experience or anecdotes.
- Online articles (Squidoo!).
- Background information on local, national or international events.
- Magazine articles.
- Human interest stories
- Newspaper articles.
- Background information and personal opinion on your interest!
"Feature articles are not just dry facts, it provides story and information from a unique angle."
Writing Feature Articles
Steps To Write A Feature Article
-Brainstorm ideas.
-Whats the purpose?
-Research your topic.
-Grab the reader's attention.
-Keep that attention.
-Leave an impression.
Structure
Like any form of writing a feature article follows a standard structure. While it may vary depending on your topic, a feature article should always include a headline, introduction, the main body and a concluding paragraph.
Title & Headline
The headline performs two important functions. An effective headline:
- Grabs the reader's attention and persuades them to read the article
- Highlights the main idea of the article.
- Includes keywords (for online articles).
Introduction
The first paragraph outlines the subject or theme of the article, it may also:
- Provoke the reader's interest by making an unusual statement.
- Provide any neccesary background information.
- Invite the reader to take sides by making a controversial statement.
- Heighten the drama of an event or incident to intensify its appeal.
- Establish the writer's tone
- Create a relationship between the writer and the reader.
I can't write about my topic the way anyone else would, I need to put my own spin on it.
Details (The Main Article)
The middle section consists of a number of paragraphs that expand the main topic of the article into subtopics. The usual components are:
- Subheadings.
- Facts and statistics which support the writer's opinion.
- Personal viewpoints.
- Opinions from authorities and experts.
- Quotes and interviews.
- Anecdotes and stories.
- Specific names, places and dates.
- Photographs, tables, diagrams and graphs.
... A spin that grabs my readers so they connect with what I am writing.
Conclusion
The concluding paragraph should leave a lasting impression by:
- Reminding the reader of the article's main idea
- Suggesting an appropriate course of action.
- Encouraging a change of attitude or opinion.
Language of Feature Articles
- A personal tone is created through the use of informal, colloquial (slang) and first person narrative.
- Relevant jargon adds authenticity to the information and opinions.
- Anecdotes help to maintain reader interest.
- Facts validate the writer's viewpoints.
- In humorous articles, exaggeration and generalisation are used to heighten humour.
- Rhetorical questions help to involve the reader.
- Emotive words are used to evoke a personal response in the reader.
- Effective use of imagery and description engage the reader's imagination.
- The use of direct quotes personalises the topic.
Other Helpful Squidoo Tip Pages
-
Squidoo Tips: Build Traffic, Sales & Promote Your Squidoo Lens Using Forums
-
A forum is a basically an online message board, where people read and write about topics of interest, sharing their ideas, experience and information with eachother. Even Squidoo has its own forum (SquidU) where you can discuss your love for Squidoo,...
-
Squidoo Tips: How To Get Your Lens #1 On Google
-
Every lensmaster dreams of the day that they get listed highly in Google, the traffic just flows in and best of all its targeted, people are coming to your website because they are interested in what you have to offer. But getting there is a long and...
Don't Forget
-Research & inform.
-Write well.
-Entertain.
-Be Authoritative.
-Be insightful.
Other Helpful Resources
- eHow - Magazine Article
- eHow provides a quick run down of the basics to a magazine article.
- How To Write A Magazine Article
- Hints on making your article into publication standard.
- How to Write an Article for a Magazine
- Another run-down on the magazine article
- Article Publishing
- Wikipedia to the rescue, learn about all the different kinds of feature articles.
- Newspaper Articles
- 11 Simple steps to writing a newspaper article.
- Firehow - How to Write a Newspaper Article
- More newspaper writing hints and tips.
About The Author
Lensmaster SammySpam has been a member since March 8 2008, has rated 708 lenses, favorited 20, and has created 21 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "How To Earn Free NX Cash For MapleStory". See all my lenses
I'm Waiting For Your Feedback.
submit
-
Reply
- moh-lee moh-lee Dec 2, 2009 @ 11:23 pm
- really helpful=)
-
Reply
- lostlove777 lostlove777 Nov 22, 2009 @ 3:32 am
- Hey Sam,
Thank you very much for the lesson!, I will be back.
-
Reply
- stargazer00 stargazer00 Nov 22, 2009 @ 12:57 am
- A very helpful lens on feature article writing. Well done!
-
Reply
- sam sam Nov 18, 2009 @ 4:11 am
- THANK YOU!!!! aude et spera
-
Reply
- mar =) mar =) Nov 16, 2009 @ 4:46 am
- thankkk u for this! i'm joining a contest regarding journalism, and i'm assigned for the feature writing! this helped me a lot! thanks! hope i win! ;]
- Load More
Explore related pages
What I Look For In A Lens! by a Squid Angel- First off, it is an honor to be one of the first Squid Angels on Squidoo and I t...
Blame It On Squidoo- Squidoo should come with a disclaimer: Enter at your own risk. We cannot be held...
Squidoodling with Noadi- By squidlings of course I mean my lenses. This lens is my way of keeping track o...
Squidoo modules
- OK, here are all the squidoo modules and widgets in one place for your perusal.....
write for money- lets your review, abstract or any think summary give money Any summary or review...
