TYPES OF MAGAZINE  ARTICLES Any attempt to classify all of the forms of magazine articles   would   probably   prove   to   be   inadequate. However,  certain  characteristics  do  tend  to  identify seven  general  categories.  These  categories  frequently overlap, and the dividing lines that separate them often become blurred. Even so, this classification serves as a starting point for learning to recognize the various types of   magazine   articles.   This   knowledge   is   necessary before you can even consider writing for the magazine industry. For our purposes, there are seven basic types of magazine articles. They are as follows: Personality sketch Personal  experience Confession Narrative Utility Interview Featurette Personality Sketch The  personality  sketch  is  a  short  biography  that includes an individual’s achievements. The “purpose of an  article  of  this  type,  whether  a  success  article  or  a profile, is to portray the intimate details of character and personality  of  someone.  The  person  may  be  widely known, one who has achieved some form of greatness or  someone  whose  life  is  in  some  way  interesting  or remarkable. The individual does not have to be a famous show business or political personality; this type of story could just as well be written about a Navy person. A Navy jet pilot who adopted an entire orphanage of Japanese children was the subject of an article of this kind. Another dealt with a sailor aboard a destroyer who spent his reenlistment bonus on football equipment so his shipmates could compete against the crew members of  larger  Navy  ships.  Still  other  sketches  have  been written  about  Navy  scientists,  combat  heroes,  chaplains, test  pilots  and  athletes. Personal Experience Unusual adventures, unique accomplishments, rare travel  experiences  and  countless  other  personal experiences lend themselves to treatment in this type of article. “My  60  Days  Under  the  Sea  in  an  Atomic Submarine,”  “I  Fly  With  the  Blue  Angels”  and  “I Walked  on  the  Moon”  are  typical  titles  of  personal experience   articles. Thousands  of  Navy  men  and  women  have  had exciting   personal   experiences   they   might   have developed  into  good  magazine  articles.  Quite  often, however, they do not have the ability, the time or the inclination   to   write   these   experiences   on   paper. Nevertheless,   they   usually   will   talk   about   their experiences which can provide a good story opportunist y for a journalist in search of ideas. When you write this type of article, use the “as told to...” byline. You should also use caution when writing in the first person. The frequent use of “I” can become, or  appear,  egotistical. Confession The confession article is not necessarily a “shocker” or  scandal  story.  Instead,  it  is  an  “inside  story”  of conditions   or   problems   normally   unfamiliar   to   the average  reader.  The  confession  article  often  involves handicaps  or  disadvantages  that  are  overcome  by determination and common sense. Incidents  related  in  confession  articles  are  often typical  of  everyday  life.  A  spoiled,  rich  kid  learns discipline and responsibility aboard a Navy destroyer. A midshipman’s   determination   to   overcome   a   speech defect  saves  his  Navy  career.  A  young  man  cures  a morbid fear of water by joining the Navy. Subjects like these have been used in confession articles. The most noticeable characteristic of the confession story is the intimate, confidential tone in which the writer seems to be personally revealing a secret to the reader. Although the subject matter is personal, it must evoke an emphatic response from the reader. Humor  should  not  be  overlooked  in  this  type  of article.  An  individual’s  willingness  to  tell  the  story shows that he or she is not ashamed. If humor can be injected   into   the   account,   it   indicates   an   objective approach. Some  subjects  are  best  when  given  a  humorous treatment.   Many   interesting   articles   about   common phobias, such as a visit to the dentist, have been written that way. This approach often helps readers to see that most of the fear is unfounded. If the humor is skillfully handled, the readers will probably be amused. 4-7