Analyzing Magazine Articles

 Introduction 

In my last post, I wrapped up my table of contents, meaning that my next step is to work on my two-page spread. A focal point of my two-page spread is the article that is going to be present. In order to create an effective two-page spread, my article must be well researched and conventional. To help ensure the quality of my article, I will be analyzing a few stories in my genre for language, tone, and target audience. This will help me get a better grasp of how I should go about writing my article, making the process a bit easier. In this case, I will be using a variety of articles in order to gain an accurate understanding of my genre. 

Article One

The first article I chose was one from Time Magazine. It is entitled, "Far From Over: COVID 19 is worse than it's ever been in the U.S. Why aren't we acting like it?". This article is by Jamie Ducharme. It discusses how people at that time were acting like COVID 19 did not exist even though at that time, cases were reaching record highs. The piece proceeds to analyze the data to support their conclusion. In ends with a quote that sums up the conclusion that the article has made in regards to people after going over the data throughout the piece. 

Upon analysis, this article in the terms of tone, is extremely academic and formal with both the syntax and diction leading me to this conclusion. A section of the article is typed up below. In yellow, are multiple words that display diction that is academically inclined. Using words such as "divorced" as adjectives and "may" as a transitional word displays a higher level vocabulary, one typically present in a formal, professional setting or in academia. Moreover, in blue are multiple examples of syntax that further support this conclusion. Using an introductory phrase and a colon displays an advanced application of syntax, something that is conventionally found in writing with a formal, professional goal. 

"As Americans' reactions to the pandemic become increasingly divorced from the reality of it, public-health officials may be facing their biggest challenge yet: forcing the public to face how bad things still are, and how much worse they may become."

This article is introduced by providing a general overview of the situation by utilizing a metaphor. Through the utilization of a metaphor, the article introduces its perspective. The introduction is displayed below. View how the  paragraph utilizes a metaphor regarding a fire, showing how the situation could develop using said fire. This helps not only intrigue the reader but creates the perfect setting for the article to explain the metaphor through data, interviews, and statistics. 

"They cautioned that a cold-weather return to indoor socializing, particularly around the holidays, could turn a steady burn into a wildfire. Throw in a lame-duck President, wildly differing approaches by states and a persuasive sense of quarantine fatigue, and the wildfire could easily become an inferno."

The article is concluded with a quote that draws a conclusion regarding how people need to see what suffering looks like in order to want to stay safe. They will not understand all of the commotion, unless they experience it themselves. This conclusion, displayed below, does this expertly through a variation on the metaphor "hitting home", which is highlighted in green. This literary device provides a strong closing to the article allowing the reader, to think about the quote. 

"I really wish there was some way for us to show people what suffering looks like," Kathuria says. "It doesn't hit home until it hits home."

This article does utilize pull quotes and captions. One pull quote from the article, placed below, makes a bold statement regarding how morale has faded, in the terms of following COVID 19 guidelines. The pull quote uses words such as patriotism, higher level vocabulary, reflecting a formal tone while still connecting with the audience. For the captions (one of them is listed below), the language and tone used is still formal but straight to the point, purposefully utilizing diction. 

Article Two 

The second article I chose was one from Newsweek. It is entitled, "Putin's Strategic and Tactical Missteps Tripping Up His Ukraine Invasion.". The article is written by Alex J. Rouhanden. It discusses how Russia misjudged Ukraine in their ability to resist the invasion. It interviews a former Lieutenant General for the U.S. Army regarding Russia's tactics. The general points out that for an effective invasion, Russia would need to send hundreds of troops to Ukraine. The article continues to discuss effects that Russia did not consider in the invasion of Ukraine and concludes with the fact that the General thinks that NATO must be firmer in its stand against Russia. 

Upon analysis, the vocabulary used in this article is more academic. Slang terms or informal language is rarely used with both the diction and syntax being high level and academically inclined. A section of the article is displayed below. If you look at the diction used, you will notice that highlighted in yellow are certain words and phrases that display an academically driven word choice. Using words such as sentiment and increasing aggressive, implies a more academic approach as the vocabulary is advanced, and uses words typically used in a formal setting. Furthermore, highlighted in blue are phrases that imply an academically driven syntax. Using phrases such as "implementing historical sanctions" and "with momentum building" utilizes words to show the reader what is happening rather than telling them. This is a technique commonly used by academicians in order to more effectively communicate their point, suggesting that this article is taking a formal, academically inclined approach. 

"In this first week after the initial invasion, America and its Western allies have grown increasingly aggressive in their approach, implementing historic sanctions that have plunged the value of Russia's currency by 20% and sent its gas prices skyrocketing. With momentum building in Ukraine and public sentiment souring in Russia, it raises the question as to whether Putin's bid for a political win could result in a political failure."

This article is introduced through a paragraph that explained the context of topic before diving into the main idea of the article. It utilized common facts in order to develop a base for the rest of the article to take a more in-depth approach to the topic. Below, is the first paragraph of the article. Notice that the introduction immediately addresses well known facts and thoughts. This context helps the article further explore the topic as it ensures that the reader understands the basics before diving in. The first letter of the article is in bold, indicating that the magazine used drop cap in order to draw the reader's attention to the start of the written content on the page. 

"When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, few expected the smaller power to last for long. Its army was smaller, its defense arsenal far more limited, and its allies were refusing ground support."

The article concludes with a paragraph that explains what countries should be doing after analyzing what Russia faltered on. This paragraph is displayed below. Notice for the quote has a call for action highlighted in green. This call to action helps conclude the academic piece on a note that a reader can connect to. It ends with a note that pulls the entire article together and implies that after being educated about this information, the actions described below should be taken. The call to action, in all makes the article much more resonant and powerful, adding to the strength of the academic, formal tone. 

"We got to stand up to this bully and say, 'Okay, don't cross this line,' Honoré said. "I don't know what that is, but they that's what they get paid the big bucks for."

"I'm sick and tired of hearing NATO say, 'We're not going to fight the Russians,' he added. "Why do you think you exist? To be prepared to fight the Russians."

This article does utilize both captions and pull quotes in order to make the content more powerful. Underneath this paragraph is a picture of one of the pull quotes utilized by this article. Notice how the quote utilizes strong language. This quote makes a stark statement regarding what the article discusses. Using phrases that incite a definite situation such as, "no way" increases the strength of the writing, further building upon the academic, powerful tone. Other than a pull quote, this article also utilizes captions. Next to the pull quote, is an image of a caption utilized by this article. The caption of the image also makes a strong statement in regards to the topic of the article utilizing strong diction such as underestimate and strong syntax and sentence structure such as " Here, he visits", helping to add to the academic tone of the language. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin may have underestimated the commitment Ukraine's citizens hold to protecting their democracy. Here, he visits the 104th Guard Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Guard Air Assault Division in Pskov on March 1, 2013. 

Article Three

The third and final article I chose is from the current issue of the New Yorker. It is entitled "The Elephant in the Courtroom" and is written by Lawrence Wright. This piece of writing discussed the progression of animals' rights, both in an out of a court of law with a case regarding Happy the Elephant in the Bronx Zoo being spotlighted. The article goes in depth regarding the activist organization pursuing the court case and its history. The article ends with a question, leaving the reader to ponder what has recently been discussed. 

Upon analysis, the vocabulary used in this article is academically driven. Informal language or words that are considered slang are not used with a more formal tone being taken on by this article. This article did utilize first person for a section of the piece, as the reporter talked about his personal experiences in relation to the story.  For reference, a section of the article is displayed below. Highlighted in yellow are certain vocabulary words that indicate to the reader that this story is a formally research driven piece. The utilization of words such as "amicus" and "institutions" exemplifies to the reader that the tone of the article is formal, similar to one that you may find in academia. Furthermore, the syntax used by this article communicates the same message as well. Highlighted in blue are multiple uses of syntax that display an academic formal tone. The use of parenthesis to clarify information and a smooth integration of commas in a series is something more commonly seen in a more professional environment such as academia, contributing to the tone.

"Several amicus briefs in the Happy case have represented institutions or professions economically dependent on animals, including zoos, aquariums, farmers, and the pet fanciers of the Feline Conservation Foundation (originally the Long Island Ocelot Club). All these parties consider themselves property holders. "

 This article is introduced through a paragraph that first defines habeas corpus and its connection to the titular topic: elephants. The paragraph then discusses the basics of the case regarding Happy the elephant. Below is the first paragraph of the article. Look to the first sentence; the paragraph immediately starts to build up background knowledge so that the reader can understand and comprehend the full contents of the article to the best extent possible. Similarly, to the first article, this piece utilizes drop cap in order to draw the reader's attention to the start of a section, which can be seen below. 

"According to the civil-law code of the state of New York, a writ of habeas corpus may be obtained by any “person” who has been illegally detained. In Bronx County, most such claims arrive on behalf of prisoners on Rikers Island. Habeas petitions are not often heard in court, which was only one reason that the case before New York Supreme Court Justice Alison Y. Tuitt—Nonhuman Rights Project v. James Breheny, et al.—was extraordinary. The subject of the petition was Happy, an Asian elephant in the Bronx Zoo. American law treats all animals as “things”—the same category as rocks or roller skates. However, if the Justice granted the habeas petition to move Happy from the zoo to a sanctuary, in the eyes of the law she would be a person. She would have rights."

In contrast to the conclusion used by the article published by Newsweek, the New Yorker left the reader on a question so that they would think about what they had just read to make to story more impactful. To elaborate, take a look at the last sentence of the conclusion paragraph below. There is a question, highlighted in green, asking the reader what humanity can save if they cannot save elephants. This question leaves a reader to think about the inner workings of the story and contemplate ethics, increasing the impact that this article has on said reader. This article did not utilize pull quotes or captions, rather they used random drawings and comics that were not always related to the content of the article (one of these is displayed below). The language used in these comics was still pretty formal with the one displayed below, which was connected to the contents of the article, using a style of formal English. 

"Joyce Poole observes that what elephants really need is something we can’t give them: freedom. “All we can do is give them more space,” she told me. The sanctuaries that would adopt Happy are an “imperfect solution,” perhaps, but a fair compromise. And a sanctuary would at least allow Happy to rediscover some of her elephant capabilities. As Poole put it, “If we can’t save elephants, what can we save?”

Trends and Conclusion

After analyzing all of these articles, I noticed that articles in news magazines tend to do a variety of things. They tackle current affairs, global news, media, books, TV shows, and more. There are a variety of topics commonly discussed. Some commonalities I noticed were that the articles used the exact same tone and style of language. They were utilizing an academically driven tone that was professional. They had skillful diction and syntax, using literary devices as well. One thing that stood out to me was that all of the endings used to conclude the articles left the reader something to think about. The articles were all introduced in a similar way with them starting to form a context for the article. They concluded in a variety of ways but made sure to leave the reader with something to think about. Most of them used pull quotes and captions to aid the articles, sticking to the same tone and writing style within them. The target audience of all of these articles is similar with them being those who are educated. Some magazines, such as the New Yorker, are geared more towards those who live in metropolitan areas but, primarily, the main audience is the same. 

After this research and analysis, I now have information regarding the style in which I should write my article. I need to write an article that appeals to the educated and one that has a formal, academically driven tone. I must include powerful pull quotes and concise captions as well. I plan to incorporate literary devices, as the articles above did, in order to enhance my writing. I liked how in depth the New Yorker was and would like to emulate that. I am leaning towards writing an article the way the New Yorker did as it was thorough, informative, and perfectly aimed at their target audience. My next step now, is to start drafting and writing my article for my two-page spread.