Articles: Format, Conventions, and Engaging the Reader

The article is one of the most commonly examined forms in Paper 2 Section B. It may be for a newspaper, magazine, or website. Understanding article conventions and how to engage the reader is essential for securing top marks.

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Article Conventions

An article has specific features that distinguish it from other forms:

Feature	Description	Example
Headline	A short, attention-grabbing title. May use wordplay, alliteration, or a provocative statement.	"Screen Time: The Silent Epidemic Stealing Our Children's Childhood"
Subheading (optional)	A secondary line below the headline that adds detail or context.	"Why experts say it is time to put the phones down"
Byline (optional)	The author's name.	"By J. Smith"
Engaging opening	The first paragraph must hook the reader — a striking fact, a question, a bold statement, or a vivid anecdote.	See examples below
Paragraphs	Clear, well-organised paragraphs, each developing a distinct point.	—
Conclusion	A strong closing paragraph that reinforces your viewpoint and leaves the reader thinking.	—

Exam Tip: You must include a headline. It signals to the examiner that you understand article conventions. A missing headline loses marks for form. A subheading and byline are optional but show additional awareness.

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Writing an Effective Headline

Your headline should be:

• Short — typically 5–10 words
• Attention-grabbing — provocative, dramatic, or intriguing
• Related to your viewpoint — it should signal the argument you are going to make

Headline Techniques

Technique	Example
Alliteration	"Plastic Plague Poisons Our Planet"
Wordplay / Pun	"School's Out — But Should It Be?"
Rhetorical question	"Are We Failing Our Future?"
Bold statement	"Social Media Is Destroying Democracy"
Contrast	"The Richest Country, the Poorest Children"

Headlines to Avoid

• Vague: "My Article About School" — too generic, no viewpoint
• Too long: "An Article About Why I Think Schools Should Ban Mobile Phones Because They Are Distracting" — this is a sentence, not a headline

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Engaging Opening Paragraphs

Your opening paragraph must grab the reader's attention. Here are strategies:

1. A Shocking Statistic

"Every year, eight million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans. That is the equivalent of emptying a rubbish truck into the sea every single minute."

2. A Rhetorical Question

"When was the last time you looked up from your phone and actually noticed the world around you?"

3. A Bold, Provocative Statement

"School uniforms do not build character. They build conformity."

4. An Anecdote

"Last Tuesday, I watched a twelve-year-old walk into a lamppost because she was watching a video on her phone. Nobody laughed. Nobody was surprised. And that, perhaps, is the most alarming part."

5. Direct Address

"Imagine this: you wake up tomorrow and every social media platform has disappeared. No Instagram. No TikTok. No Snapchat. How would you feel?"

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Structuring Your Article

A strong article follows a clear structure:

Section	Purpose	Length
Headline	Grab attention, signal your argument	5–10 words
Opening paragraph	Hook the reader with a striking opening	3–5 sentences
Argument paragraphs (3–4)	Each develops one key point with evidence and persuasive techniques	4–6 sentences each
Counterargument paragraph	Acknowledge and rebut the opposing view	3–5 sentences
Conclusion	Reinforce your viewpoint; call to action or leave the reader thinking	3–5 sentences

flowchart LR
  A[Headline - hook] --> B[Opening - vivid scene / stat]
  B --> C[Argument 1 - PEEL]
  C --> D[Argument 2 - PEEL]
  D --> E[Argument 3 - PEEL]
  E --> F[Counterargument + Rebuttal]
  F --> G[Memorable End - call to action]

Paragraph Structure: PEEL

Element	What to Do
Point	State your argument clearly
Evidence	Support it with a fact, statistic, example, or anecdote
Explanation	Explain why this evidence supports your point
Link	Link back to your overall argument or to the next point

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Engaging the Reader Throughout

An article must maintain the reader's interest from start to finish. Use these techniques:

Technique	Example
Direct address ("you")	"You might think this doesn't affect you. You would be wrong."
Rhetorical questions	"Can we really call ourselves a civilised society when...?"
Inclusive pronouns ("we," "our")	"We all have a responsibility to act."
Varied sentence structures	Short sentences for impact, complex sentences for nuance
Anecdotes and examples	Personal stories or specific cases that illustrate your argument
Humour or sarcasm (when appropriate)	"Of course, there is always the option of doing absolutely nothing. That has worked so well in the past."

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Before and After: Article Opening

Before (Weak)

"I think school uniforms are bad because they are uncomfortable and they don't let you express yourself."

After (Strong)

Headline: Dressed to Suppress: Why School Uniforms Belong in the Past

"At precisely 8:47 every morning, a thousand teenagers pour through the gates of my school, each one indistinguishable from the next. Same blazer. Same tie. Same expression of quiet resignation. We are told this uniformity builds community. We are told it prepares us for the 'real world.' But since when did the real world demand that adults dress identically? Since when did conformity become a virtue?"

The strong version uses a powerful headline, listing, direct address, rhetorical questions, and a tone of confident challenge — all hallmarks of an effective article.

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Summary

• Articles require a headline, an engaging opening, structured paragraphs, and a strong conclusion.
• Write a headline that is short, attention-grabbing, and signals your viewpoint.
• Hook the reader with a striking opening: shocking statistic, rhetorical question, bold statement, anecdote, or direct address.
• Structure your article with PEEL paragraphs, a counterargument, and a clear conclusion.
• Engage the reader throughout with direct address, rhetorical questions, varied sentences, and examples.
• Always check you have included the correct form conventions — a missing headline is a missed opportunity.

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Worked Example: A Full Article Opening with Headline and Two Paragraphs

Task: Write an article for a broadsheet newspaper arguing that the voting age should be lowered to sixteen.

Model (approx. 380 words):

Sixteen and Silenced: Why the Voting Age Belongs in the Last Century