How To Write Special Feature Articles Part 30

4. Is the purpose a worthy one?

5. Did the writer accomplish his purpose?

6. Does the article contain any material that seems unnecessary to the accomplishment of the purpose?

IV. TYPE OF ARTICLE

1. To which type does this article conform?

2. Is there any other type better adapted to the subject and material?

3. How far did the character of the subject determine the methods of treatment?

4. What other methods might have been used to advantage in presenting this subject?

5. Is the article predominantly narrative, descriptive, or expository?

6. To what extent are narration and description used for expository purposes?

7. Are concrete examples and specific instances employed effectively?

8. By what means are the narrative pa.s.sages made interesting?

9. Do the descriptive parts of the article portray the impressions vividly?

V. STRUCTURE

1. What main topics are taken up in the article?

2. Could any parts of the article be omitted without serious loss?

3. Could the parts be rearranged with gain in clearness, interest, or progress?

4. Does the article march on steadily from beginning to end?

5. Is the material so arranged that the average reader will reach the conclusion that the writer intended to have him reach?

6. Is there variety in the methods of presentation?

7. Is the length of the article proportionate to the subject?

8. What type of beginning is used?

9. Is the type of beginning well adapted to the subject and the material?

10. Would the beginning attract the attention and hold the interest of the average reader?

11. Is the beginning an integral part of the article?

12. Is the length of the beginning proportionate to the length of the whole article?

13. Is the beginning skillfully connected with the body of the article?

VI. STYLE

1. Is the article easy to read? Why?

2. Is the diction literary or colloquial, specific or general, original or trite, connotative or denotative?

3. Are figures of speech used effectively?

4. Do the sentences yield their meaning easily when read rapidly?

5. Is there variety in sentence length and structure?

6. Are important ideas placed at the beginning of sentences?

7. Are the paragraphs long or short?

8. Are they well-organized units?

9. Do the paragraphs begin with important ideas?

10. Is there variety in paragraph beginnings?

11. Is the tone well suited to the subject?

12. Do the words, figures of speech, sentences, and paragraphs in this article suggest to you possible means of improving your own style?

VII. t.i.tLES AND HEADLINES

1. Is the t.i.tle attractive, accurate, concise, and concrete?

2. To what type does it conform?

3. What is the character of the sub-t.i.tle, and what relation does it bear to the t.i.tle?

(_Boston Herald_)

TEACH CHILDREN LOVE OF ART THROUGH STORY-TELLING

"----And so," ended the story, "St. George slew the dragon."

A great sigh, long drawn and sibilant, which for the last five minutes had been swelling 57 little thoraxes, burst out and filled the s.p.a.ce of the lecture hall at the Museum of Fine Arts.