Eager to start writing? Here are the types of articles we'll be publishing and the structure we're looking for you to follow when drafting your article!
OPINION
The "Opinion" piece is a form of article in which an author has the opportunity to express their unique perspectives on matters which interest them.
STRUCTURE
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- Lede: Start your piece off with a hook to introduce the issue while drawing your reader in. For example, you can begin with a brief and relevant story to personalize the topic. Remember, readers often decide within the first few sentences whether or not the piece is worth reading.
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Thesis: Use this section to explain either implicitly or explicitly what you are trying to get the reader to understand differently.
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Argument: It’s important for you to support each point of your article with relevant evidence, facts and data. Here you will want to include a variety of arguments, not just one.
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Respond: Be sure to acknowledge and respond to arguments which may counter your thesis.
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Conclusion: Use this final opportunity to circle back to the lede and persuade the readers of the validity of your thesis. The conclusion is where you firmly communicate to the audience what they should do or think about differently.
EXPLAINER
An explainer piece covers the “how” and “why” components of a topic. This style combines a clearly defined context with relevant information to ensure the audience properly understands the topic at hand.
STRUCTURE
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- Lede: Start your piece off with a hook to introduce the issue while drawing the readers in. For example, you can provide a shocking matter-of-fact that you've found from your research.
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Focus statement: Here you will use one or two sentences to clearly what is happening or what your piece will be discussing.
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Why does it matter: Continue your article by explaining the significance of the topic at hand and why you feel it matters. For instance, is it unprecedented? What are the potential impacts of this topic?
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Development (1): Unpack your focus statement in order to explain to the audience the most important idea within your piece. It’s necessary to provide your audience with detailed contextual information, clearly explaining any and all terminology to which you make reference.
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Development (2): Continue developing your article discussing the secondary, yet still pertinent, concept at hand. You can use this opportunity to insert a fun fact about your subject!
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Conclusion: After providing the reader with detailed context and critical information, the conclusion is where you get to return to the “why does it matter” section. Use this final section to further persuade the reader of the significance of your topic, and expand on the potential future impacts.
TIPS & TRICKS
The tips & tricks section consists of advice on a wide range of topics for an audience's personal or professional development.
STRUCTURE
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- Introducing your topic: Start your piece off by introducing the topic you have chosen to write about. It's a good idea to select a topic which you know a lot about, like something for which you've had special training or a lot of experience! You can also use this opportunity to explain to your readers why they might benefit from reading this article. How are your tips & tricks going to help their lives?
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Establish your expertise: Be sure to establish your credibility by explaining to your audience what enables you to be giving this advice. If you feel as though your credibility might be questioned, don't be afraid to link reputable sources to ensure the reader you have done your research. Research is necessary to ground your piece in fact.
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Development: Break down your process into each step the reader must take, elaborating on each one of them in a detailed format. This is the main section of your article, where you will actually be providing your audience with your steps for a "how-to" or your tips & tricks on how to accomplish something new. Don't hesitate to use a list format for the body of your article, as long as you ensure that the list follows a logical and sequential flow. ​Remember to include anything the reader might need to accomplish these steps, and not to make any assumptions. When reading back the steps, ask yourself this: If you were reading this article as an amateur on the topic looking to learn something new, would you be able to clearly follow these steps? If not, revise your steps to ensure all readers can comprehend and benefit from your article.
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Additional tips & cautions: Warn your audience about any potential pitfalls or shortcomings with your plan. You can also include here some additional tips that didn't quite fit into the list of steps.​
If you're interested in learning more about these types of articles, consider taking McGill's CCOM 315 class!