When asked to write an article for a magazine or a website, there are important differences in style, tone, and structure compared to a regular academic essay. Here’s a guide to help students distinguish between these formats and deliver an effective article or essay.
1. Audience
- Magazine/Website Article:
- Targeted and Professional: Articles often address specific readers who are professionals, enthusiasts, or experts in a particular field (e.g., HR professionals for the CIPD website).
- Accessible Language: The language should be clear and engaging, but not overly technical unless it’s expected of the audience. The tone can be conversational or formal, depending on the platform.
- Regular Essay:
- Academic Audience: Essays are usually written for an instructor or academic audience and assume a formal, academic tone.
- Complex Language and Theory: Essays often include more complex academic language and may engage with theory and citations in-depth.
2. Structure and Layout
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Magazine/Website Article:
- Structured for Easy Reading: Articles are often broken into shorter sections, with headings and subheadings that allow the reader to quickly grasp the content. Paragraphs are generally shorter, focusing on clarity and readability.
- Introduction Hook: Start with a strong hook or an attention-grabbing statement to draw readers in.
- Case Studies/Examples: Real-world examples or case studies are often used to support points in a more narrative style.
- Conclusion or Call to Action: Articles often conclude with a summary or call to action that encourages the reader to take further steps.
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Regular Essay:
- Formal Structure: Introduction, body, and conclusion, with each section following a logical argument.
- No Subheadings or Sectioning: Essays don’t usually use subheadings or short sections. Instead, they have a continuous flow, with longer paragraphs that explore ideas in detail.
- Conclusion: Summarizes the arguments, restates the thesis, and suggests implications or further research.
3. Purpose
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Magazine/Website Article:
- Inform and Engage: The purpose is to inform, educate, or persuade the reader while keeping them engaged. Articles should be concise, insightful, and sometimes persuasive, depending on the goal of the publication.
- Practical Application: Articles often emphasize practical, actionable insights that readers can apply in their professional or personal lives.
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Regular Essay:
- Demonstrate Knowledge: Essays are written to show critical thinking, depth of knowledge, and engagement with academic theories.
- Thesis-Driven: Essays focus on developing and proving a central argument or thesis, often through detailed analysis of theories and evidence.
4. Use of Evidence and Research
- Magazine/Website Article:
- Light on Theory: Articles may refer to theories or research but typically don’t engage with them as deeply as essays do. The emphasis is on practical examples, case studies, and real-world relevance.
- External Sources/Interviews: Articles may include quotes from experts or link to external sources, but the referencing style is usually less formal (e.g., hyperlinks or mention of sources within the text).
- Regular Essay:
- Heavy on Theory and Evidence: Essays must provide substantial theoretical background and detailed analysis of evidence. Formal citations are essential (e.g., Harvard, APA, MLA).
- In-Depth Analysis: The essay format encourages in-depth discussion and critical analysis of academic sources, data, and arguments.
5. Writing Style
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Magazine/Website Article:
- Engaging and Dynamic: The writing should be lively, dynamic, and often persuasive. Articles should maintain the reader’s interest, so sentences are typically shorter, and the writing is clear and concise.
- Use of Visual Elements: Articles can also include visual aids like images, infographics, or charts to support the content, something usually absent in essays.
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Regular Essay:
- Academic and Formal: The writing in essays should be formal, detailed, and free of slang or casual expressions. The sentences are longer, with complex structures that explore ideas thoroughly.
- No Visuals: Essays rarely include images or infographics unless the specific format calls for it, and even then, they are not a key feature.
6. Voice and Point of View
- Magazine/Website Article:
- More Personal Voice: Articles can be written in the first person (depending on the publication) or adopt a direct, approachable tone. However, it should still maintain professionalism and credibility.
- Regular Essay:
- Impersonal and Objective: Essays are usually written in the third person and maintain an impersonal, objective tone. Personal opinions or the use of "I" are typically avoided unless explicitly allowed.
Key Takeaways:
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Magazine/Website Article: Think of your reader and write in a way that is clear, engaging, and practical, using real-world examples and case studies. Use headings, short paragraphs, and accessible language to make the article easy to read.
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Regular Essay: Focus on constructing a formal, logical argument supported by in-depth analysis of academic theories and evidence. Maintain a formal tone and ensure proper citation of sources.
By keeping these distinctions in mind, students can better tailor their responses to the format requested, whether it’s a professional article or an academic essay.