This document provides guidance on writing magazine and news articles. It discusses the key differences between magazine and news articles, including typical length, focus, visual emphasis, storytelling techniques, and publication cycles. The document then offers tips for choosing topics, structuring articles, using engaging writing styles and tones, crafting attention-grabbing headlines, writing compelling lead paragraphs and body content, incorporating formatting and visuals, and concluding articles effectively. Assignments are included for students to practice writing various article components.

1. Writing
Magazine
& News
Articles

2. Scrambled Headline: Re-arrange the words to make
a magazine or a news headline.
Discover
Disease
for
Hair-loss
Scientists
Treatment
Industry
Diets
Food
How
of
Plant-based
Rise
the
Transforming
Veganism:
Magazine Headline:
……………………………………………………
News Headline:
……………………………………………………

3. What are the Differences?
Magazine Articles:
-Longer word count: Magazine articles typically allow for more in-depth coverage and
exploration of a topic.
-Editorial focus: Magazines often have a specific niche or target audience, allowing for more
specialized and focused content.
-Visual emphasis: Magazines tend to include more visuals, such as photographs, illustrations,
and infographics, to complement the written content.
-Creative storytelling: Magazine articles often employ creative storytelling techniques to engage
readers and evoke emotions.
-Longer publication cycle: Magazines are usually published less frequently (e.g., monthly or
quarterly), allowing for longer lead times and more extensive research.

4. News Articles:
-Concise and to the point: News articles are generally shorter and more concise, delivering
information quickly and efficiently.
-Timeliness: News articles focus on providing up-to-date news and current events, requiring
writers to work within tight deadlines.
-Inverted pyramid structure: News articles typically follow the inverted pyramid structure,
presenting the most important information first and then delving into additional details.
-Objective reporting: Aim for impartiality and present multiple perspectives on a given topic.
-Frequent publication: Often published daily or weekly, necessitating a faster turnaround for
writers.

5. Keys to Writing an Article
-Keep the information clear and concise.
-Do not include biased sentences, keep your opinions to a
minimum.
-Use reliable information, don’t invent facts.
-Be objective, use facts and figures to support ideas.

6. Example of a Biased Sentence in a Magazine
Article:
"The groundbreaking new skincare product is a game-changer,
promising miraculous results and leaving all other brands in the
dust.”
This language presents an overly positive and exaggerated view of the skin
care product without providing objective evidence or considering potential
limitations or alternative perspectives.
Which phrases or words do you think are biased?

7. Example of a Biased Sentence in a News
Article:
"The government's controversial decision to cut funding for
public education has sparked outrage among parents and
educators alike, who argue that it will have devastating
consequences for the quality of education in our schools."
This language presents an overly negative and exaggerated view of the
government without providing objective evidence or considering potential
limitations or alternative perspectives.
Which phrases or words do you think are biased?

8. Choosing the Right Topic
-Select a timely and relevant topic that resonates with the audience.
-Conduct thorough research to gather information about the chosen topic.
-Ensure the topic is interesting, informative, and capable of capturing the
reader's attention.

9. Structure of an Article
-Headline: Craft a catchy and informative headline that accurately represents the
content.
-Byline: Display the writer’s name beneath the headline.
-Lead Paragraph: Engage readers from the beginning with a compelling
introduction and talk about the who, what, when, where, why or how.
-Body: Organize the body of the article logically, using paragraphs and
subheadings to enhance readability.
-Conclusion: Summarize key points and providing a memorable closing in the
conclusion.

10. Writing Style and Tone
-Use clear and concise language to effectively convey information.
-Adapt the writing style to match the type of publication and audience,
news articles lean towards the use of formal language, whereas magazines
tend to use informal language.
-Vary sentence structure and employ storytelling techniques and language
devices to engage readers.

11. Captivating Headlines
-Craft attention-grabbing headlines that are concise, descriptive, and
intriguing.
-Keep it short, punchy and to the point.
-Incorporate keywords or phrases that reflect the main theme or subject of
the article.

12. Headline Jigsaw: You have 10 minutes to complete the
jigsaws, write the headlines on Google Classroom when you find them!

13. Compelling Lead Paragraphs
-Hook readers with a captivating opening sentence or paragraph.
-Establish the context of the article and highlight the significance of the
topic.
-Pose thought-provoking questions or share intriguing facts to generate
curiosity.

14. Assignment 1:
1. Write a lead
paragraph for a
magazine using two
of the headlines on
the right.
2. Find an image to
support each
headline.

15. Engaging Body Content
-Present facts, evidence, and supporting details to substantiate claims or
arguments.
-Use quotes, anecdotes, and statistics to add credibility and interest.
-Structure the body content in a coherent and logical manner to facilitate
easy comprehension.

16. Formatting and Visuals
-Utilize proper formatting techniques such as subheadings, bullet points,
and numbered lists for clarity and organization.
-Incorporate relevant visuals such as images, graphs, or charts to enhance
understanding and engagement.
-Balance the use of visuals with text to maintain a visually appealing and
informative article.

17. Assignment 2:
1. Continue with one of
your lead
paragraphs, and
write the body text.
2. Research to find
additional
information.
3. Support your ideas
and information.
• Use paragraphs,
subheadings and bullet
points to enhance
readability
• Present facts, evidence,
and supporting details
• Use quotes, anecdotes,
and statistics

18. Conclusion
-Recap the main ideas or arguments presented in the article, highlighting
the most important information.
-Offer a call to action: Encourage readers to take specific steps or engage in
further action related to the topic of the article.
-Provide a thought-provoking question: Leave readers with a question to
ponder, inviting them to reflect on the subject matter and consider their
own opinions or experiences.

19. Proofreading and Editing
-Thoroughly review the article for grammar, spelling, and punctuation
errors.
-Ensure clarity, coherence, and a consistent writing style throughout the
article.
-Check for factual accuracy and verify the sources used.

20. Assignment 3:
1. Write the conclusion
for your article.
2. Remember to recap
and summarize.
3. End with a call to
action or a thought-
provoking question
for the reader.
• Remember to
proofread your article
for mistakes
• Use a spelling and
grammar checker
• Ensure clarity and
consistency in your
article and writing style