by Jeremy Orbell

Created on: November 12, 2008

One of the questions I get asked as someone involved in the communications industry is how to go about submitting material for newspapers. This is understandably an attractive goal to have as it can provide exposure for your work on a local and national level.

Newspapers can have circulations that run into the millions and to get the recognition of seeing your name in print is the holy grail of any writer. However, it is a notoriously difficult path for the new or freelance journalist from outside the industry to break into but there are techniques you can use to increase your chances of success.

I have already posted an article on this site on how to write an effective article which admittedly has some fluidity as to its usage. It does have relevance in newspaper and magazine work but also with press release and copy writing too so is quite a wide raging overview of the craft. It is still useful starting point if you are just beginning to learn your trade.

As a recap I will cover a few of the basics in writing technique before moving on how to best to undertake the physical approach of your chosen publication.

Article writing in a nutshell

The opening line of any article, or indeed any writing, must immediately grab the reader's attention. While you have perhaps have a couple of sentences to make your impact in a story, an article must make an immediate impact.

Perhaps surprisingly, the length of your first sentence should be a maximum of 22 words. Any longer and there's a chance your reader will not fully grasp the message you are attempting to convey. Don't risk losing them at the first hurdle.

Generally speaking, sentences in newspaper or magazine writing need to be short and punchy. Paragraphs typically consist of just two or three sentences which makes it far more simple and appealing to read. Think about when you've seen large blocks of text in a publication - it can be a daunting experience so make sure you give your readers the chance to breathe.

Quotes and statistics

Using quotes in your piece always makes for a more interesting read especially if they are an expert in their field. It adds weight to the story but ensure that they are quoted accurately as in extreme circumstances this can lead to legal proceedings. This is not meant to discourage you from using them but merely to encourage you to take care that you check the source and that you have all the relevant facts.

Grammar usage

Something that I didn't cover in-depth in my previous article was the language

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