Writing an Article Flashcards
All 10 cards in this deck
What are the main conventions of a written article?
A headline, an optional standfirst, perhaps one or two subheadings, then well-developed paragraphs. Don't draw columns or pictures.
What makes a good article headline?
It is short and punchy, hooks the reader with wordplay, alliteration or a question, and hints at your viewpoint.
What is a standfirst?
A sentence or two below the headline that sums up the article's angle and draws the reader in, e.g. "Our high street is emptying fast. One student thinks she knows why."
Should you use subheadings in a Question 5 article?
Optional. One or two can signpost the stages of a long argument, but they don't replace clear topic sentences, and lots of them make the piece look like a list.
What are good ways to open an article?
A brief anecdote, a sharp observation, a bold claim, or a question that matters to the reader. Avoid stock openings ("Picture this…") that examiners see thousands of times.
How does the place an article appears change how you write it?
A school magazine allows a lively, personal voice; a national newspaper or broadsheet needs a more formal register and wider examples; a website article may be shorter-paragraphed and direct.
How could you end an article strongly?
Return to your opening anecdote or image (a cyclical ending), give a call to action, or finish on a short, memorable line. Don't just repeat your points.
What techniques does the headline "Screen Time? Make It Green Time" use, and what is their effect?
Rhyme and a question followed by an imperative. It is catchy and signals the viewpoint at once: swap screens for the outdoors.
Can you write in the first person in an opinion article?
Yes. Opinion columns use "I" and personal experience, but the best ones widen out from the personal to the bigger picture.
How long should you spend on the headline and standfirst?
A minute or so. They show you know the form, but the marks come from the argument, so don't spend ten minutes polishing a pun.