No one has said it is easy to write, but the labor of writing an article seems to me a very difficult one. This is not a simple kind of composition, which is why mostly licensed journalists are the ones who create them. Articles today represent a highly way to communicate, to tell a story, to denounce injustices, to teach, etc. We read them every day in every newspapers, magazine or in the Internet. Styles and types of them are uncountable.
But do not think that article is a today’s subject. It was born in England, as a scientific one, in the 17th century (1665) ("Communicating Science"). Thanks to this, scientist all over Europe could share discoveries and experiences useful to us now a day. But this writing order has being growing ever since and I am positive that it will not stop. Article “… is a literary composition forming an independent part of a publication”. ("Standard Dictionary of the English Language"). In an article the writer tells a story, makes a comment, present a new, etc.
Of course, as any written paper, articles have to follow universal rules, including orthography, punctuation, coordination, good grammar, style, ideas, etc., but we all know that. Nevertheless, I will talk today about the different types of article. But before I embrace myself in that job, I would like to give to my readers some of my own advises: before doing anything at all, check that nobody is already writing a similar article, you don't want to spend a long time on research and writing only to find that someone else has already written about the same thing; write in clear and correct language (English in this case); be as original as possible; do a lot of research on the web and/or in books; rewrite the found information in your own words; if you are using the internet for your research, try to find at least two sites confirming the data; think in who your audience is and visualize three people: a novice, someone knowledgeable who knows little about the field, and an expert.
The real number of kinds of articles is enormous; here it is presented some of the most used ones:
1. How To
This kind of article explains, by giving examples and instructions, the proper way to do a certain subject. It is a class of guide designated to teach. It is crucial for the success of this type to been written for an expert. The bigger is the knowledge of the author, the better.
2. Profile of a Person
In this one the protocol to follow is getting as much information as possible about the appointed person. The idea is to talk and give accurate data about some one, usually significant or notable to other people's eyes. The best way to obtain the facts to present in paper is through interviews to the chosen personality or to people knowledgeable about him/her.
3. Interview Q&A
In an article based in an interview to someone special it is important for the author to know that the editing of the Q&A text will be the one presented to the readers; in other words, that the answers given after the asked questions should be revised and fixed before presented to any one. This kind of writing has its own demands: "A major interview article in a major magazine might require 100 starting questions and 30 hours of taped interviews".
4. The Informative Article
In here the theme is directed toward almost any subject of general interest; sports, technology, health, etc. are also included. The idea of this kind of article has to be as interesting and attractive as possible, giving the complex details that integrate the topic. "These can often be thought of as “why” or “why-to” or “when-to” or “what-to” articles". It may use any kind of narrative technique.
5. The Exposé
This is one of the more interesting ones, at least in my opinion; this version of article writing is created to uncover hidden secrets buried for some dark reason. It is imperative the use of data of all kind, but mostly graphics, charts, statistics, etc. The information has to be flawless. "Exposés in newspapers often cover government corruption, product failure, consumer fraud, and other issues of general interest to families. Exposés in magazines would be targeted to subjects of interest to the targeted audience of the publication".
6. Personal Experience, Reminiscence, As-Told-To
Personal experience articles can be combined with almost anything; and without be important the style you use, you will always give to others a well known event of your life. The idea is to make the reader reflect him/her self in your story. But try not to extend yourself in insignificant details; this may bore your reader. "Sometimes, a personal experience article is well served by a section providing additional information on the topic area, along with specific advice for readers on dealing with similar situations in their own lives". There are cases like in As-Told-To, when the writer is only telling a story counted by someone else.
7. Essay or Personal Opinion
When writing a personal opinion the writer has to have in mind that he/she will only give his/her thoughts; he/she will not impose other people new ideas. Remember that each one of us have a personal way to see the life. It is important to know the subject you are talking about and of course, the audience you are addressing to. The employment of reliable facts is very helpful.
Now, when the paper is an essay everything is different. You will give your opinion as well, but through the description of the theme you are providing, you will enrich somehow your readers mind. But this subject will be treated in another part of this work.
8. Humor and Satire
It is applicable to almost every type of article, unless it is an Exposé one, then it is called satire. Talent is needed to write a humorous article.
9. Inspirational
Inspirational articles are the ones to make you feel better as soon as you read it; the ones that help you, by giving advice, with your problems. It is used in all periodical publication, but mostly in religious ones.
10. The Historical Article
This is a hard one. The first you need a historical fact or period to talk about and then as much information as possible of it. This incident, occurred some time before us, most be interesting or valuable to attract people's attention. The way to write has to be chronologically to avoid readers' confusion. But what the readers will value the most is any new information that the author can provide. Historical articles need to be factual, but not too dry. This articles may appear in any magazine or newspaper linked somehow to a history subject, but they may also "appeared in popular science magazines--though, as you might expect, they had a scientific focus".
11. The Roundup
Inside the roundup are two kinds: the List Article and the Roundup. The first one is designed specifically for names, "who or what is the best or the worst", competitions, etc. The key of this style is in finding the proper way to organize them.
The second one consists in given answers to certain questions (it is not an Interview); in other words, it is finding different opinions toward a subject and putting them in a way that seems a conversation between the ones providing the opinions.
12. The Photo Story
The Photo Story tells a "story" by using pictures of the wanted theme; the employment of words is reduced to only when it is necessary. It can be used in any kind of article. "Many a how-to story is best told through good pictures with informative captions". This type needs to have a high organization for the people to understand it. Remember, words are the least you will use in this one.
What I have written today is just a small fragment of the wholeness of this always changing topic. I just though that by giving some value to the different types of article readers would understand better its complexity. But it is also important to keep in mind that article is a written composition that needs good grammar and organization. This work is made for any person interested to know something else about how to write an article.
Sources:
(1971). Standard Dictionary of the English Language
(International Edition). Vol.1 / 549, 892. Vol. 2 / 1022 New York:
Funk & Wagnalls.
Grow, G. (1996). Types of Articles. Retrieved 1996 from Florida
A&M University at Tallahassee, Department of Journalism Web site:
http://www.longleaf.net/ggrow/courses/JOU4212/typesarticles.htm
Gross, A.G., Harmon, J.E., & Reidy, M. (2002). Communicating
Science (1st ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
