Article for school magazine format

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A useful overview for students learning how to write a magazine article, perfect for GCSE English Language non-fiction writing.

What’s included

• FREE printable PDF student guide on how to write a magazine article
• Editable version (for subscribers) to adapt

How will this resource help students?

This resource helps students plan article writing, generate ideas, consider the target audience, and refine their style. It includes tips on language, style, and tone, focusing on writing about current events in feature articles. The step-by-step guide is ideal for aspiring magazine writers, bloggers, or those interested in writing for local newspapers or pursuing careers in creative writing or copywriting.

Looking for more like this?

More GCSE writing style resources to help develop students’ writing skills are available to browse, including additional creative writing and article writing resources.

Look inside: How to write a magazine article

Key points

• A magazine article gives your personal views on an issue.
• You should write using the first person, ‘I’.
• Although you are talking to the reader you should avoid informal language.

Before you start

Know about the topic and jot down the areas that it covers.

Write down key words that sum up your attitude.

Creating your magazine article

Title

An eye-catching headline which may include a pun, an abbreviation or an ambiguity. The task is to arouse the reader’s interest so a question might work. Do not make it too long.

Opening

A key sentence, which is, in effect, a summary of the main theme of the article and which will often contain the essential facts. Make it clear to the reader how you are connected to the issue and your view of the issue. You could begin by reliving an experience. Once you have stated it you start again at the beginning of your information and work through to the end. After the opening, therefore, you need:

The rest

You should provide facts and ideas that develop and explain your opening section. The paragraphs in newspaper and magazine articles tend to consist of one or two sentences, but your paragraphs should, in the main, consist of several sentences. You may like to introduce one or two of them with a brief sub-heading, perhaps a word or phrase lifted from the paragraphs.

Quotations

From witnesses/ victims/ experts or other interviewees may be appropriate. It is usual to mention each interviewee’s name as well as other relevant details such as age and occupation.

The end

Bring your writing to a thoughtful conclusion. What are your hopes for the future? Explain your worries etc.