How To Write
"General" Articles!
Let the readers know what
is in store for them by the " blaze" in
your first paragraphs of
an article. There are two kinds of
articles; those which cover
things in general and can be
published at most any time,
and current events. The best place to
start with these kind of
articles is the local newspaper with a
goal of syndication to
many other media.
In order dor acceptance
by the editor there must be a local twist
of personal interest to
the readers. The ununusual and odd things
abot people and their vocation
and gives the reader a departure
from the daily drudgery
are the best and most saleable articles
to write about. This includes
adventure,mystery, murder, money,
accidents, discoveries,
economy, history, illness, jail,
jealousy, obsessions, quacks,
struggles, taxes, etc.
You must attract attention
from the first words when writing
feature stories for a newspaper
type publication, where as a
novel or short story for
a magazine builds to a climax and
generally clears up all
the loose ends at completion
For a magazine article
to sell to the publisher "action" in the
first and last part is
a must, while the body copy is devoted to
narrative or explanations
with a number of vital incidents to
keep the action alive.
Keep the writing "flowing" in such a
manner the reader will
anxiously read ahead to see what happens
next.
When it is possible to
do so without distorting the truth, add
some fiction to your life
stories to keep them interesting and
alive! Submit 8x 10 glossy
print photos if possible as often the
picture will be the difference
between acceptance and rejection.
It will pay you to get
a good camera so you can snap pictures to
go along with the articles.
When submitting your copy,
put your name, address and phone
number at the upper left
cover of the first page and total number
of words containeed in
the article on the upper right side. If
you are submitting an article
to the newspaper a title will not
be necessary as the editor
will usually determine after reviewing
the article.
Leave plently of room
at the top of the pages, use double spacing
and wide margins so there
is plenty of space for editing. Number
the pages at the top. preferable
on the right hand side. Type
only on the front side
of each page. Enclose a Stamped, self
addressed return envelope.
Lay it out so your name always appears
with the article so that
you will gain recognition as a writer.
There are millions of
things to write about so you should nver be
without ideas for your
articles. To get the ideas all you need to
do is go through the dictionary
and write about anything and
everything that comes to
mind, based on the more practical words.
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