Format for a Magazine Article
LET’S REVIEW
Magazine Article must: ● capture attention ● be clear
KEY ELEMENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Catchy title CLEAR first sentence that shows direction of article Give the MOST IMPORTANT facts first (5 W’s) Add sensations or explanations USE paragraphs; do not ramble
Tips 1. Sentence Type: Active not Passive 2. In a news article, you should be objective. If you do not have information, you should not lie: a. ex. The inmate escaped. Officers explained riots occurred the day before. 3. In a magazine article, be truthful, but opinions, questions, and informality add flavor. a. ex. The inmate escaped. Could this be a result of the riots that took place? Well, I am a little suspicious.
Description Types ● ● ● ●
Chronology (yesterday, today, *time*) Sensations (seems, feels, appears, etc.) List (first second, etc.) 5 W’s (who what when where why)
Explanation Types: ● Explanation (Why, instead of) ● Cause (Caused by, because of) ● definition (is a, is defined as, for example)
Fidget spinners are the new trend in Spanish schools today. Last month, these horrid trinkets appeared for the first time in the country. Ever since, students from infantil to bachillerato have begun to collect them feverishly and spin them all day long in class. They are simple, but they can become extremely irritating when spun incessantly. These toys are sold on the black market and come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Usually featuring 3 or 4 wheels, they can spin in hands, on desks, underwater and behind the teacher’s back. Why fidget spinners you may ask? Some students report better focusing skills. Other students admit they simply want to annoy their teachers as much as possible. Others have hinted at a conspiracy theory that fidget spinners can hypnotize others and be used to take over the world. The truth? Perhaps we will never know. Hopefully, the students of this generation will come to their senses and realize that fidget spinners are in fact pointless contraptions that are unnecessary for success in life.
Activity Write SHORT articles about these topics: -What is a dab? A water bottle flip? -What is the best Netflix show? -Who is ________(favorite celebrity/musician) -What does it mean to “go viral�? -What are the advantages of being ______ (a superhero, bilingual, the outlier) Use this format 1. 2. 3. 4.
Clear, first sentence 5 Ws Details (sensations and explanations/opinions/questions) Conclusion: restate 1st sentence OR comment on future effects
Sample Article http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/spacex-first-reused-rocket-space-sci ence/ ●
Notice the clear first sentence, 5Ws, opinions/questions, details
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/23/manchester-terror-attack-everythingknow-far/ ●
Notice the subtitles outline Most important → More detailed.