Writing an article

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4,5

Language B

Writing

Article

context, audience, purpose 

*  the context of the article will usually be set out briefly in the question: e.g the background to the subject matter of the article

context, audience, purpose 

* the audience will usually be indicated by where the article will be published: e.g. 'your school magazine'

context, audience, purpose 

* the fundamental purpose of any article is to inform or to report - but we may also include 'interest', 'explore', 'study'. Note that strong opinions or attitudes would probably not be expected - such purposes would probably come under 'opinion column'.

register and tone 

* will have a semi-formal to formal register

* will have a tone appropriate to task e.g. suitably serious

conventions

* will have a relevant headline/title

* will have an introduction intended to catch the readers’ attention

* will use techniques that engage and interest readers e.g. direct address

Appropriate?

An article will be appropriate if the task requires you to present detailed and interesting information about a defined subject; and that the information should be explained in a clear, fair and reasonably objective way (the journalist has a 'duty to inform'). The audience will be the general public, defined more clearly by the type of subject and/or where the article is going to be published (for example, if the subject is about computer games, you can assume that the audience will be people who are interested in computer games).

Not to be confused with...

... 'news report' or 'opinion column' or 'blog' ... a 'news report' is also intended to inform in a clear and objective way, but it has to be focused on a specific event, or set of events - it is not concerned with the overall picture, or the broader context or background, as a good article will be. An 'opinion column' will usually be focused on one particular issue, which should be explained convincingly (although there is no 'duty to inform'), and your final opinion argued reasonably - although your opinion doesn't always have to be fair or objective! A 'blog' is intended to present a set of your personal ideas in a lively entertaining way to a general, undefined audience - who you want to hook by your interesting, even provocative, opinions and experiences, so again, you don't have to be fair and objective

Basic Format:

- Headline / title

- Sub-headline, summarising

- Byline (author, date, location)

- Short paragraphs (possibly)

- Sub-headings (possibly)

Approach:

> 'Duty to inform' ? A defining element of any 'article' is that it sets out to inform – does the script actually tell people something? It is worth stressing that 'inform' does not necessarily mean 'factual information' - or rather, factual information should be seen as 'supporting evidence' which helps to illustrate and clarify the general ideas and arguments presented. (Useful to contrast with the News Report, where factual information is the primary focus, and general ideas and arguments should be seen as secondary and subordinate.)

Approach:

> Precise nature of task ? Is the main purpose to :

Inform ? In which case, is the flow of information methodical and clear?

Discuss ? In which case, is there a reasonably balanced coverage of different points of view?

Give opinion ? In which case, is a clear point of view presented? And is it coherent / consistent?

Assignment

Write an article about 

• fast fashion or 
• your exchange experience

(450-600 words)