What is a magazine article?

A magazine article is not just a good piece of writing, but a blending of these three things:  Writing technique, slant, and mechanical technique.

            Writing Technique

1.      A good beginning

2.      Good organization

3.      A single, unified theme all the way through.

4.      Good mechanical devices:  good anecdotes, proper statistical handling, and good, well done quotes from authorities

5.      Good ending

6.      Tight, concise writing (picture words, active verbs, use the fewest number of words, etc.)

Slant

A piece properly focused to the theme of the magazine and its readers.  The same subject could be used for different types of magazines but the slant would be changed to appeal to the readership of each one.  For instance, “Bird watching” might be handled this way in four different magazines:

            PARENTS—Bird watching, a learning experience with your child.

            PLAYBOY—A bunny to watch birds with

            FIELD & STREAM—New rugged trails for bird watchers

            POPULAR SCIENCE—The newest techniques for bird watchers

Mechanical technique

Following the writing style of the magazine.  What’s their desired length?  Do they use first person, second or third person?  Do they want light breezy writing or more academic?

Points to look for in your manuscript

1.      Beginning.  Does the first paragraph hook the reader and provide a good transition to the body of the article?

2.      Organization.  Does the manuscript proceed logically from one point to the next?  Does it have material on one subject all together or is it scattered through the article?

3.      Anecdotes, statistics, quotes.  Are they smooth and well done?

4.      Ending.  Does it sum up the idea satisfactorily or leave the reader with a thought?

5.      Overall tone.  Is the manuscript tight?  What about inactive verbs?  Picture words?

6.      Slant.  Is it right for the market it is intended for?  Can you give suggestions for other markets?

Don't worry if you don't understand all of this. All these points

will be covered in detail as we go along.