MCOM 3

Magazines today Cover a wide range of topics Appeal to Niche markets Cater to segmented or specific

audience

What are some magazines you read?▪ Why?

1. A great article idea is new and original. To be great, your article idea should be so

new and original, you can’t find any books written on it. (A tall order!)

2. A great article idea is appealing. ▪ Is your topic of interest to the narrow group who read

the magazine or paper you are interested in writing for?

▪ Will it just appeal to a narrow group within this narrow group?

▪ To be a great article idea, it has to be broad enough to appeal to the readers ▪ yet specific enough to be different.

3. A great article idea covers basic life issues. Love, money, health, careers, death,

sickness, etc▪ These are basic life issues that readers are

interested in.

4. A great article idea has a strong theme. Your central idea or focus needs to be strong

and clear.

5. A great article idea includes an action verb. If you can state your angle in one sentence

using an action verb, then you’re more likely to land an assignment.

6. A great article idea offers intelligent insight. Does your angle allow you to offer

intelligent insight, ▪ As opposed to saying something that’s

obvious, common sense or that readers have already read about many times?

A polar bear's skin is

black. Its fur is not

white, but almost

transparent.

7. A great article idea includes drama. Even nonfiction magazine articles need

elements of conflict and drama to attract and sustain readers.

▪ What are examples of Drama stories that would make a good feature article

8. A great article idea tells stories. Readers love anecdotes because they

illustrate ideas, facts, and statistics in a colorful, engaging way.

If your article idea won’t be supported by human interest stories, it may not be assigned by an editor.

9. A great article idea contradicts assumptions. If your theme questions what most people

think or assume, then you’re on the right track.

The best articles call into question the conventional wisdom about a subject.

Link

10. A great article idea is open to sources. If you don’t have the expert sources you’ll need

to write this article, then it’s not the best idea. The best sources should be participants, keen

observers, or experts on the topic.

Feature stories are descriptive and full of detail. Feature stories both educate and entertain.

They can include colorful detail as well as humor.

Feature stories can be organized in a variety of ways (i.e., chronologically, narrative fashion).

Feature stories often put the “meat” on the “skeletal bones” of a news story.

Next is a series of photos▪ You will have a set amount of time to write as much

detail about the images as you can.▪ Allow the reader to “See” what you’re writing about

Rules:▪ You can’t ask me any questions about the image▪ Be as detailed as possible without being repetitive▪ Be creative or tell a story▪ However, everything you write has to be applicable to the

image you see. (Don’t reference something we can’t see)▪ Remember feature stories combine facts & opinion ▪ No copying stories/ideas from classmates

We will have a few people share what they have written

Let’s hear some of the details and descriptions

You will switch with a classmate and add more details to what they have written

Make sure you read what they have written to avoid being repetitive

Let’s have a few people share what they and a classmate have written for this one

Despite the extreme popularity of tomatoes and many countries, ▪ It is true that they are poisonous.

Though the fruit itself doesn’t contain poison, ▪ The stem as well as the leaves contain a chemical known as

glycoalkaloid. Higher levels are said to be found in wild tomatoes, ▪ But those grown domestically still contain glycoalkaloid.

This chemical is known to cause upset stomachs and nervousness.

The leaves and stem can be used in cooking for flavor▪ But must be removed before eating.

This chemical is so powerful ▪ It is actually used as a way to control pests.

Let’s hear some of the details and descriptions