Researching and Idea for a Magazine Article

Keep in mind, though, that humor must fit the situation. Flippant treatment of serious or distressful subjects will likely alienate your readers. Narrative The narrative is especially suitable for writing about Navy subjects. Sharp characterization, vivid description, dialogue, action and suspense are skillfully woven into the framework of a narrative article to dramatize the facts. However, the facts must be adapted to this type of treatment. The writer does not invent them, exaggerate them or embellish them in any way. The story must be authentic even in the smallest detail. The real life exploits and adventures of sailors the world over are told in magazine articles using the narrative approach. A heroic rescue, an epic battle, a dramatic struggle against the elements, a display of bravery and determination in the face of overwhelming difficulties are all subjects that maybe developed into narrative articles. Careful research is important in writing the narrative article. This is especially true if it is about an event in which many of the magazine’s readers may have participated. An important error or omission will immediately be noted by these people, and they will then be skeptical of the entire article. Also, the writing should be colorful and fast-paced. Otherwise it may sound like a chapter out of a history textbook. Utility Any process, product, method or idea that will help the reader become wiser, healthier, wealthier or happier is a subject for the utility article. Also called the “how-to-do-it” article, the utility article is generally shorter than most other articles and the writing is usually expository or explanatory. The Navy offers a wealth of ideas for the utility article. Atone time or another, practically everyone has devised a scheme to improve a job, working conditions or equipment. These ideas are especially valuable if they can be tailored for a specific magazine. There are thousands of trade and employee magazines constantly looking for material of this type. Editors of Popular Science and Popular Mechanics build their entire magazines around this type of article. The utility article can be compared to a set of instructions presented in an interesting and lively manner. Writers should ask themselves the questions they feel readers are most likely to ask, then answer them clearly and simply. Even though some readers may be experts, writers must assume that every reader is unfamiliar with the information and provide complete details. A routine set of instructions for building a simple cabinet can be interesting if it is presented properly. You can use the first, second or third person in writing this article. The personal experience approach can be very effective in the utility article. The third person style should be used only if the idea presented involves dramatic or entertaining situations. The most common approach is to use the second person, Interview imperative voice (You fit the wrench ...). Interview articles present questions and answers that offer a subject’s views on a given topic. Little background information is given in the article if the subject is widel y known to the readers and the emphasis is on the topic of discussion. The interview requires much advance planning, however, and the writer should research the subject thoroughly before conducting the interview. Each edition of Playboy presents an excellent example of the interview article. Featurette The featurette is probably the most popular and best-selling short article found in magazines today. It is short and simple, and it contains the element of oddity or humor, and sometimes both. The purpose of the featurette is to entertain. “Humor in Uniform” and “Life in These United States,” regular sections in Reader’s Digest, are good examples of the featurette. Nearly every magazine carries at least one anecdote as filler material in each issue. RESEARCHING AN IDEA FOR A MAGAZINE ARTICLE Every person, place, event or thing is a possible source for a magazine article. What one person sees daily and takes for granted, another person with a well-developed eye for the interesting and unusual often can turn it into a successful article. The idea sources and material concerning feature writing discussed in The Navy is a fertile source for subjects and ideas you can develop into good magazine articles. All you Chapter 3 also apply to magazine writing. have to do is look around you. Better yet, thumb through 4-8