Chapter 3

Magazine Article vs Newspaper article Similar in structure▪ Eye catching leads▪ Smooth flow of facts & ideas▪ Based on solid reporting▪ Use quotations and descriptions▪ Few words to several thousand

Differences in Magazine & Newspaper Features▪ Magazine▪ Subjective▪ Point of view

▪ Newspapers▪ Fact based▪ Less opinion

Magazine Features Often written leisurely▪ Not a lazy method▪ Every word counts▪ Must catch & hold readers attention

Use support▪ Back up claims with facts▪ Use examples to clarify info▪ Facts build more credibility than opinion

Leads▪ Magazine leads tend to be longer than paper▪ Depending on length of feature

▪ Newspaper leads need to be quick and strong▪ Shorter article▪ Need to draw reader in quickly

Staff Writer Vs Freelancer Magazines▪ Often hire freelancers (good portfolio can lead to

staff position)▪ They present story ideas▪ Pay per article▪ Keep content strong▪ Help publication to survive

Newspapers▪ Use staff writers▪ Stories are generated and assigned

Staff writer vs Freelance Freelancers▪ Often have lots of time to develop story▪ Usually working on multiple stories at once

Staff writers▪ Usually have tight deadlines▪ Get assignments from an editor

3 necessary skills for freelance writers▪ Ability to develop good story ideas▪ Know what is appealing to a reader▪ Be creative and find unique stories and angles

▪ Know magazines and what the want▪ What type of stories does this magazine publish▪ Who is their audience

▪ Be able to write a well organized article▪ Writing skills should be strong▪ Ideas should flow▪ Articles should be readable

All three of the skills listed should be mastered▪ A good story finder▪ That knows where to send them▪ But can’t write

Won’t experience much success

Stalking the elusive article Look for the idea first▪ Seek out potential stories▪ Look for different angle possibilities▪ May result in multiple features

▪ Search for potential publisher

Look for market first▪ Search for stories to fit that market▪ Work on developing content▪ Pitch stories to relevant publications

Work with clip files▪ Read many magazine & newspaper articles▪ Look for potential story ideas

Matching ideas to markets▪ Look for a focus/angle that will fit a market▪ Develop story to appeal to that markets audience▪ 4 Steps to match idea to market▪ Scan publication types▪ Study 3-4 issues of that magazine▪ Look for similar stories already published▪ Develop a persuasive letter to magazine proposing article