Writing Students School Magazine Articles When writing a

Writing Students’ School Magazine Articles

When writing a school magazine article, bear in mind the following. Ø Do not give the impression that you are an expert. Ø Be enthusiastic Ø Be convincing. Ø Be interesting. Ø Personalise. ( emphasise any points you have in common with your readers. Try to replace ‘I’ whenever possible with ‘we’.

Register( level of language) in school magazine articles. The register in articles can vary. Some can be written in informal register and some others will need formal register.

Format �Title �Introduction �Body �Ending

TITLE � Always give the article a title and underline it. � Make sure your title is interesting. � Compare the two following titles. Which one is more interesting? - How to Prepare for Exams - Exam Nerves Cure *In order to get some ideas for interesting titles, read as many English newspapers or teenage magazines as possible and take note of the titles.

TITLE �TV: The teenager’s Viewpoint �TV: A teenage view These titles are interesting because the letters T and V have been used as an abbreviation for television and then repeated in the extended title.

INTRODUCTION �An - effective introduction often starts with a question to involve the reader and encourage him to continue reading. Here are some examples: Are you one of the many students with exam nerves? Are you a secret TV addict? Are you a self-confessed couch potato?

Try to think what the following examples of possible introductions could be about, remembering that, to be effective, there should be several possible meanings. �Are you so busy working that you have no time for sport? �Do you long to finish your homework quickly so you can collapse in front of the TV screen? �Are you fed up with all the arguments you have heard against television? �Are you dreading the thought of the long, boring holidays?

TRANSITION Introductions using questions are often followed by a transition sentence, which acts as a link between the introduction and the body of the article by preparing the reader for what the article is about. Here are some introductions from magazine articles, using the question technique. The transition sentences are underlined. - Look, no stress!! Don’t we all wish we could say this every day of our lives- and mean it? Nowadays stress seems to be the one word that’s on everybody’s mind. ( An article on stress) - Looking dull and stressed? Well, don’t worry. You need not spend the entire evening in the bathroom. ( An article on health and beauty) - Want to experience the joys of the countryside? There is nothing to beat a canal holiday to take you closer to nature. ( An article about canal holidays)

BODY OF MAGAZINE ARTICLE �Before you begin The basic ideas for a serious or a friendly article will be the same, but will need to be adapted to the question according to register. It will be helpful to consider each topic and the different phrases associated with different register before the exam. *The list of topic-related vocabulary and ideas will be given to you soon.

ENDING �A school magazine article ending should be fairly short and use the same personal style and register as the introduction and transition. �The purpose of the ending could be: - to summarise the article - to express your own opinion - to leave the reader with something to think about.

TYPES OF SCHOOL MAGAZINE ARTICLES 1. 2. 3. 4. Giving your view or opinion/ putting forward arguments for and against. Dealing with problems and solutions. Giving advice/ making suggestions Narrative- sometimes referred to in the question as an account.

1 - FOR and AGAINST �Look § § § at the kind of question that has or could come up: The effects of modern science The effects of cars on the environment Single sex schools Tourism Compulsory competitive team sports at school The importance of appearance.

Let’s look at a question based on a past exam paper. Write an article for your school magazine about the effects of tourism on your country, putting forward your ideas. *** For the body of this type of article, begin by writing the first three paragraphs of a views and arguments composition. See pages 163, 164, 165 in your IGCSE Pack.

2 - DEALING WITH PROBLEMS and SOLUTIONS �Let’s look at a question based on a past exam paper, which deals with the apparently serious topic of pollution. Many students hope to have their own cars one day but young people are well aware of the problems which cars cause the environment. Write an article for your school magazine explaining how drivers can reduce the impact the car has on the environment.

Let’s have a look at pages 165 -166 (IGCSE pack) to find out how to write a problem/solution article.

3 - GIVING ADVICE/MAKING SUGGESTIONS - Possible topics How to study for exams The benefits of sport The benefits of healthy eating The dangers of watching too much TV How to improve the school The benefits of discipline at school The benefits of school uniform

Let’s look at a question based on a past exam paper. Write an article for your school magazine giving advice and suggestions on the best way to revise for exams. - Begin with an introduction suitable for a school magazine article but without a clear explanation of the topic( to get the reader’s attention) Write a transition sentence. The two or three serious paragraphs should include advice phrases and include we, for personalising, and perhaps refer to teachers, other students or relevant incidents which may add humour. - The ending should return to the school magazine article style. -

4 -NARRATIVE �You - may be asked to write a narrative (or account) about the following: A holiday you have been on recently A school trip you went on recently A place you visited recently. ** An account of a school trip or holiday will be very successful if it is written in a humorous, almost conversational style, as if you are telling your friends about it.

You should include: § An introduction which sets the scene by giving an indication of: 1. the weather, the time of year…. ( on a cold Saturday morning in November, … on the last day of the summer term) 2. the number of students and teachers. 3. the type pf transport 4. the general mood or atmosphere

§ § A selection of small, probably amusing incidents with no consequence- interesting but not important A serious section describing the things you saw/ places you visited. References to members of staff and other students to personalise. An ending which says how enjoyable/ successful the trip was.

�Now let’s read the sample articles and the comments from the examiners. (IGCSE pack- pages 169 -170 -171 -172)