2. Format of a school magazine article
• Title
• Introduction
• Body
• Ending
3. Title
Always give the article a title, and underline it. Make it
interesting. From the very beginning, show the
examiner that you know exactly what you are doing.
4. Introduction
An effective introduction often starts with a question to involve
the reader and encourage him to continue reading.
Are you one of the many students with exam nerves?
Are you a secret TV addict?
Are you so busy studying 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 dreading the thought of the long, boring holidays?
• The use of the word you makes this personal, and the reader automatically relates to himself. This
suggests that the reader is not alone and gives a feeling of belonging and familiarity.
5. 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.
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 or beauty)
Do you want to experience the joys of the countryside? There's nothing to beat a canal holiday to take you
closer to nature. (An article about canal holidays)
6. 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 summarize the article
• To express your own opinion
• To leave the reader with something to think about
7. Giving your view or opinion (putting forward
arguments for and against)
1st Paragraph: General introduction explaining the importance of the subject. Make sure you include the
following:
• Time Fixers: nowadays/these days/recently/until now/in the past/twenty years ago/in the last five years
• Generalisations: nearly all/many/a large number of/several
2nd Paragraph: Put forward one side of the issue being argued; for example, the argument in favour. Make
sure you include the following:
• Views and arguments phrases : one of the main arguments in favour of is that ….. / some people (would)
argue that ….. / It is a fact that …..
• Joining points — addition : Furthermore,/Moreover,/What is more,/Besides,
• Support phrases : which/this/which means that/this means that/as a result/consequently
8. Giving your view or opinion (putting forward
arguments for and against)
3rd Paragraph: Put forward the other side of the issue being argued; for example, argument against. Make sure
you include the following:
• Joining points — contrast : on the other hand,/However,/Nevertheless,
• Views and arguments phrases : one of the main arguments against …… is that / It can be argued that …… / It
has been said that …..
• Joining points — addition : Furthermore,/Moreover,/What is more,/Besides,
• Support phrases : which/this/which means that/this means that/as a result/consequently
9. Write an article for your school magazine about the effects of tourism
in your country.
10. A Problem Called Tourism
When was the last time you travelled abroad? Did you follow the rules of the place and respect the
environment? If not, bear these points in mind next time you go abroad.
Recently, there has been a great increase in the tourist industry, which has led to various
environmental and social problems in a large number of countries. It has been argued that the
tourist industry is one of the largest in the world, yielding a profit that is often enough to support a
whole country's economy. Furthermore, it provides jobs for many young people, leading too a
decrease in the levels of unemployment which is the reason for many crimes in society.
On the other hand, tourists seem to spoil the beauty of the sites they invade due to littering as well
as the fumes pumped out from their cars which leads to the pollution of the place. Besides, some
tourists do not respect cultures and traditions of the places they visit and as a result influence the
community and change its habits.
Whenever you travel abroad bear in mind that the way you behave reflects the society you are from
— and you don't want people to think we don't care about the environment, do you?
