1. The primary objective of this course is to prepare the student so that (s)he can write and market magazine feature articles. In short, the student should learn to make money using his/her creative talents.

2. To reach that ultimate goal, one must first be able to develop salable TOPICS (ideas) for future stories.

3. Before you can begin to pinpoint these topics, you must first recognize the fact that there are actually dozens of different KINDS of stories.

4. Click here to find a list of 20 different story KINDS (realize that there are many more, but these are a sample of some of the more popular).

5. Study the 20 story kinds, and then look through several different magazines and see if you can identify the types of magazine articles being written.

6. Five of the 20 story kinds have an * in front of the number. Looking though various magazines which you may have about the house, find five stories which have subject matter (topics) that correspond with the indicated ( ) story kinds.

7. Fill out the attached worksheet and return it to Northern Arizona University.

8. Meanwhile, read the first section in Writer's Market.

9. Also, between now and your next assignment, be thinking about topics on which you can write a feature story. Select ideas (1) about which you are familiar, or (2) which you can easily and effectively research.

How to articles fall into this category. Most common ones are diet plans, weight loss strategies, beauty tips, advice on how to get along with your mother in law, suggestions on how to fill out some aspect of your income tax forms:

2. The Anniversary Story.

This is about some activity or event that occurs annually or in a regular fashion. The Flagstaff All Indian Rodeo is one example, or St. Patrick's Day in Sedona, or perhaps an old timers fiddling contest.

*3. First Person Narrative.

You take a trip, hike or boat ride that is unusual, daring or exciting. You tell about it in first person (I or we).

4. Eyewitness Story.

You see something as a witness (not a participant) and describe it for the reader. It should be something that is unusual, heart rending, tragic, or generates a great amount of human interest.

5. Collector Story.

People are always collecting something weird or unusual. Maybe you know of someone who has the world's largest ball of yarn.

6. Interview Story.

Find someone well known or famous. Playboy magazine is quite famous for these kinds of stories.

7. Glossary Story.

Almost like a mini dictionary, you present a collection of unusual terms which relate to a particular group. Some examples of things which have been done in the past: Citizens Band Radio, drug culture, bureaucratic double talk, gay language, and alley talk.

8. Stunt Story.

This is a story in which you, as the writer, have interjected yourself on purpose to get a first hand viewpoint as to the problem or situation. For instance, you have yourself committed as a patient in senior citizens' rest home to observe conditions. Approach such stories with ethical caution and personal welfare:

9. Composite Story.

After having interviewed many persons with common problems or situations, you develop a composite person which is typical of the individuals involved. Example: you talk with twenty persons who have suffered radiation sickness and describe the prototype case. (In problematic articles, you usually attempt, with the help of experts, to offer a solution to the situation.)

10. New Business Story.

Someone comes up with a new and sometimes creative way of making a living.

11. New Invention.

Someone markets a new idea. Perhaps (s)he is even manufacturing it himself/herself.

12. Handicapped Person Story.

Find someone who has succeeded in overcoming a handicap, and you have the key to a powerful story.

*13. Dying Person Story.

Death fascinates almost everyone. Find someone who is dying with grace and dignity, along with an unusual angle to the situation, and you may have a selling story. Example: the man who decided to turn off his kidney machine, told his family of his decision, and let events occur naturally. He had come to the conclusion that he was too much of a burden to his loved ones.

*14. Case History Story.

An in depth look at a person or organization or event. It is sometimes called a character study or profile. This should feature some outstanding aspect of that person's life, an attempt to relate to the reader what makes this person “tick.” Anecdotes are an effective tool to use here.

15. Behind the scenes Story.

You describe, explain, perhaps narrate how something is accomplished that the average person would normally never be aware of. Example: you write about the first heart transplant attempted in Arizona.

16. Resurrected Story.

Take an old topic and give it a new angle. Whatever happened to Raul Castro Also, you may learn something new about a person or event which happened years ago, and now you can do an update article.

*17. Travel or Vacation Story.

Arizona is rich in these subject/topics.

18. Historical Article.

Maybe you write a story about an Old West character or a ghost town.

19. Diary Story.

This is a rare story, and should be used sparingly. It is a day by day or minute by minute account of something suspenseful or exciting. Example: the rescue of a small child from a deep well.

20. Different View Story.

You pick an unusual viewpoint to emphasize a point or theme to your article: Maybe it is a minister who lives and works in a red light district, or a 6 year old girl whose single mother is hooked on drugs. The perspective intensifies the subject about which you are writing:

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate information. When all information is correct, hit the submit button at the bottom of the page.