THE  CONCLUSION A magazine article should end as dramatically as it began. When appropriate, use an anecdote that typifies the main points presented in the body. Surprise endings also   work   well.   The   conclusion   should   neatly   and succinctly tie together all the threads of the article and bring it to a smooth finish. It should make the readers glad  they  read  the  article  and  leave  them  with  the impression  you  wanted  to  make  when  you  stated  the article’s purpose in your outline. TIPS ON MAGAZINE WRITING Along   with   studying   the   information   presented here,  you  should  read  as  many  magazine  articles  as possible.  Carefully  observe  how  the  material  in  the various types of articles is organized. Be aware of the different  styles  used  in  different  kinds  of  magazines when they print similar stories. Note,  especially,  the  leads  written  by  successful writers.  Examine  their  sentence  construction  —  the manner in which they “turn a phrase.” Then try writing a few leads and short stories of your own. To see which feel  most  comfortable  to  you,  emulate  some  of  the techniques  of  those  published  writers  you  have  been studying.  Experiment!  Even  with  the  vast  number  of magazines  available  to  writers,  the  market  is  still  highly competitive.  The  same  factors  that  allow  magazine writers  to  be  creative  also  demand  it.  Therefore,  the ability to write skillfully is essential to your success in this field. And that skill can be developed, through your willingness to learn and your desire to write. MAGAZINE LAWS LEARNING  OBJECTIVE:  Determine  the  laws that apply to magazine writing. While Navy journalists  are not expected to be legal experts,  there  are  a  number  of  laws  that  merit  your attention. All  writers  should  be  aware  of  laws  concerning defamation,   fair   comment,   the   right   of   privacy, copyright,  fair  use  of  the  writings  of  others  and plagiarism. This is especially true for magazine writers. The nature of their work makes the possible violation of those laws ever present, and for some, very tempting. Special   care   must   always   be   taken   to   avoid   these violations. One area in which you must be particularly cautious is in writing articles containing personal commentary, where a strong possibility of defamation often exists. Another  area  of  concern  is  in  writing  articles  about people who do not want the attention. In articles of this type, you run the risk of invading someone’s privacy. And finally, make sure your research is for information, not  for  someone  else’s  phraseology.  Creative  writing means  being  original.  Do  not  be  guilty  of  copyright infringement or plagiarism. Also, remember that under U.S.  copyright  laws,   anything   you   write   on government time cannot be copyrighted. See Chapter 10  for  further  information. Chapter 10 of this TRAMAN addresses the subjects of  libel,  the  right  of  privacy  and  copyright  laws.  An understanding  of  that  material  will  provide  you  with sufficient knowledge of those laws and will allow you to  write  without  worrying  unnecessarily  about  them. However, if any doubts or questions arise about those laws, do not hesitate to contact a legal officer for advice. If  you  want  to  write  for  commercial  publications and  receive  payment  for  your  efforts,  you  must  observe certain rules. Your  writing  and  research  must  be  done  on  your own  time  (after  normal  working  hours  or  while  on leave). It must not interfere or conflict in anyway with regularly  assigned  duties  and  may  not  be  done  in connection with official duties. Access   to   information   sources,   such   as   public affairs offices, is available to off-duty Navy personnel just  as  it  is  to  civilian  writers.  However,  you  should remember that any use of DON facilities, equipment or personnel is permitted only in connection with official Navy assignments. Additionally, restrictions on access to   classified   material   that   apply   to   non-Navy professional  writers  apply  equally  to  you  if  you  are writing for a commercial publication on your own time. Your off-duty magazine writing must not conflict with   the   public’s   receipt   of   prompt   and   complete information on government activities through the usual public  information  media.  Further,  both  the  subject matter and the methods of obtaining it must be legal and consistent with accepted standards of conduct. In  certain  cases,  the  restrictions  on  writing  for key  officials,  in this context, refers to flag rank officers, Navy civilian officials GS-16 or higher, and civilian or military  personnel  whose  official  assignments  are  of unusual prominence or authority. Those individuals may commercial publications — in connection with official duties — are waived for key DON officials. The term 4-13