Cambridge IGCSE First Language English Teacher’s Resource Handouts

Magazine article structure

1 Topic
Introduce the topic. Topics may include: an issue that is currently in the news, recently published research,
a proposal that has been put forward by a government or other agency, the activities of a noteworthy
person. Unlike a news report, which is informative, and a speech, which is argumentative, a magazine
article is mainly a form of discursive writing.

2 Background
The article is likely to outline the relevant history of the event or person the article is about. Readers need
to be aware of the necessary facts, the reason why the article has been written and what has led to the
current situation.

3 Discussion
Return to the current situation at this point, discussing and giving different viewpoints about the event
or person, with examples and quotations, and making comparisons with the past or with similar topics.
The writer’s own viewpoint is likely to be expressed or inferred. However, alternative views must be given
equal weight.

4 Prediction
At this point the article may deal with possible future developments or the predicted outcome of the
current situation (e.g. that a current predicament will become worse if nothing is done about it, a person
will go on to become even more famous and successful, or which side will win the political debate).

5 Conclusion
The article needs a neat conclusion. This may be an ironic reference or a humorous comment, an
evaluation of the different viewpoints, a reference back to the beginning of the article, or a quotation.

Cambridge IGCSE First Language English Teacher’s Resource © Cambridge University Press 2014