1. MCOM 3

2.  Magazines today  Cover a wide range of topics  Appeal to Niche markets  Cater to segmented or specific audience  What are some magazines you read? ▪ Why?

3.  1. A great article idea is new and original.  To be great, your article idea should be so new and original, you can’t find any books written on it. (A tall order!)

4.  2. A great article idea is appealing. ▪ Is your topic of interest to the narrow group who read the magazine or paper you are interested in writing for? ▪ Will it just appeal to a narrow group within this narrow group? ▪ To be a great article idea, it has to be broad enough to appeal to the readers ▪ yet specific enough to be different.

5.  3. A great article idea covers basic life issues.  Love, money, health, careers, death, sickness, etc ▪ These are basic life issues that readers are interested in.

6.  4. A great article idea has a strong theme.  Your central idea or focus needs to be strong and clear.  5. A great article idea includes an action verb.  If you can state your angle in one sentence using an action verb, then you’re more likely to land an assignment.

7.  6. A great article idea offers intelligent insight.  Does your angle allow you to offer intelligent insight, ▪ As opposed to saying something that’s obvious, common sense or that readers have already read about many times? A polar bear's skin is black. Its fur is not white, but almost transparent.

8.  7. A great article idea includes drama.  Even nonfiction magazine articles need elements of conflict and drama to attract and sustain readers. ▪ What are examples of Drama stories that would make a good feature article

9.  8. A great article idea tells stories.  Readers love anecdotes because they illustrate ideas, facts, and statistics in a colorful, engaging way.  If your article idea won’t be supported by human interest stories, it may not be assigned by an editor.

10.  9. A great article idea contradicts assumptions.  If your theme questions what most people think or assume, then you’re on the right track.  The best articles call into question the conventional wisdom about a subject.  Link Link

11.  10. A great article idea is open to sources.  If you don’t have the expert sources you’ll need to write this article, then it’s not the best idea.  The best sources should be participants, keen observers, or experts on the topic.

12.  Feature stories are descriptive and full of detail.  Feature stories both educate and entertain. They can include colorful detail as well as humor.  Feature stories can be organized in a variety of ways (i.e., chronologically, narrative fashion).  Feature stories often put the “meat” on the “skeletal bones” of a news story.

13.  Next is a series of photos ▪ You will have a set amount of time to write as much detail about the images as you can. ▪ Allow the reader to “See” what you’re writing about  Rules: ▪ You can’t ask me any questions about the image ▪ Be as detailed as possible without being repetitive ▪ Be creative or tell a story ▪ However, everything you write has to be applicable to the image you see. (Don’t reference something we can’t see) ▪ Remember feature stories combine facts & opinion ▪ No copying stories/ideas from classmates

15.  We will have a few people share what they have written

17.  Let’s hear some of the details and descriptions

19.  You will switch with a classmate and add more details to what they have written  Make sure you read what they have written to avoid being repetitive

21.  Let’s have a few people share what they and a classmate have written for this one

23.  Despite the extreme popularity of tomatoes and many countries, ▪ It is true that they are poisonous.  Though the fruit itself doesn’t contain poison, ▪ The stem as well as the leaves contain a chemical known as glycoalkaloid.  Higher levels are said to be found in wild tomatoes, ▪ But those grown domestically still contain glycoalkaloid.  This chemical is known to cause upset stomachs and nervousness.  The leaves and stem can be used in cooking for flavor ▪ But must be removed before eating.  This chemical is so powerful ▪ It is actually used as a way to control pests.  Let’s hear some of the details and descriptions