Article

Is a piece of writing usually intended for publication in a newspaper, magazine or journal.

Is written for a wide audience, so it is essential to attract and retain the readers’ attention

May include amusing stories, reported speech and descriptions.

May be formal or informal, depending on the target audience.

Should be written in an interesting/entertaining manner.

Should give opinions and thoughts, as well as facts.

Is in a less formal style than a report.

Describe an experience, event, person or place. Present an opinion or balanced argument. Compare and contrast Provide information Offer suggestions Offer advice

An eye-catching title which attracts the readers’ attention and suggests the theme of the article.

Articles can also have subheadings before each paragraph.

An strong introduction which clearly defines the topic to be covered and keeps the reader’s attention.

The main body of 2-5 paragraphs in which the topic is further developed in detail.

A strong conclusion – summarising the topic or a final opinion, recommendation or comment.

WHERE is the article going to appear – newspaper or magazine?

WHO are the intended readers – a specific group of students/teenagers, or adults in general?

WHAT is the aim of the article – to advise, suggest, inform, compare and contrast, describe, etc.?

**These three points are the deciding factors in the layout of your article – its style, language and level of formality.

Determine the information you are going to use. Organise your ideas carefully into paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a clear topic

sentence. Depending on your target audience, your article

could take on a formal, semi-formal or informal style.

Use vocabulary and descriptive language appropriate to the article.

Linking expressions and words, and a variety of vocabulary will only improve your work and make it more interesting.

DO NOT use over-personal or over-emotional language or simplistic vocabulary.

Rhetorical questions - a question asked solely to produce an effect or to make an assertion and not to elicit a reply. You would normally go on to answer it yourself.

Address the reader directly

Informal language (if appropriate)

Punchlines - the climactic phrase or sentence in a joke, speech, article, or humorous story that produces the desired effect.

We’re all supposed to hate advertising, but do we? I don’t think we do at all.

What’s Las Vegas got to offer the tourist? Everything from magnificent modern architecture to the worlds largest casinos.

So what are we really talking about?

So is this really true?

I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that ...

We all hate it when someone keeps us waiting.

Why not give it a try? You’ve got nothing to lose.

Is this really the answer for all of us?

Let’s look at the problem from two different points of view.

So, the government should clean up this mess as soon as possible.

I think that another problem with banning traffic from the city centre...

It seems to me that what’s important here is...

On a personal note, I’d like to say that....

How fantastic would that be?

After all, in the end it may be the only thing to do.