Article Types

Examples of articles that fit into each of the seven types described in the video.

Feature
• Publication: Eastern Arts and Lectures, a monthly magazine about arts institutions and events on the eastern
seaboard of the U.S.

• Pitch: “The Survivors”: An in-depth look at three arts organizations on the eastern seaboard that have been in
continuous existence for over 100 years. It should include:

• One historic photograph and one recent photograph

• An interview with at least one current or former administrator, preferably one who’s been with the
organization for more than 10 years

• Length: 2,000 words.

News
• Publication: The Chelsea Voice, a weekly newspaper for the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City

• Pitch: Internationally famous operatic soprano Heleen van Hoogstem will premiere a piece for voice, turntablist,
and orchestra written by rapper Shaquille “Catbox” McGraw.

• Length: 250 words

Review
• Publication: City Music in Review, a weekly, ad-sponsored publication delivered to music venues and institutions
around New York City

• Pitch: A review of the performance described above (of Heleen van Hoogstem et al.).

• Length: 300 words

Commentary
• Publication: Advances, the monthly newsletter for members of an organization dedicated to intercultural
communication

• Pitch: Magic happens when one culture’s art is presented in another culture’s venue. But it can be hard to
organize, and the event has to be sensitive to the venue’s usual audience.

• Length: 800 words

Promotional
• Publication: Arts Teacher International, an English-language monthly magazine for teachers of music, visual arts,
dance, and drama at the K-12 level.

• Pitch: Roux Academy, a degree-granting arts school in New York City, is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The
richly illustrated photoessay chronicles how its history led it to its current position as a leading arts organization.

• Length: Introductory paragraph of 250 words, then five photos with captions of 75-100 words each.

Writing Articles with Tom Geller

Article Types 1 of 2
Research
• Publication: New York History Buff, an investigative quarterly journal for people who love New York City history.

• Pitch: “A Patch of Land”: It’s now an undistinguished car park in the crowded neighborhood of Chelsea. But
what was there 50 years ago? 100 years ago? 200 years ago? Special emphasis on the architecture and people
that occupied that plot.

• Length: 1,800 words, with footnotes.

How-To
• Publication: The Handy Family, a monthly, glossy newsstand magazine for practical do-it-yourselfers.

• Pitch: “Don’t Stop the Music”: Simple repairs you can do to make your children’s band and orchestra
instruments play and sound better.

• Length: A series of six tips, each 300 words, broken into:

• 50-word description of the problem

• 50 words on materials, time, and skills needed

• 200 words on how to do it

Writing Articles with Tom Geller

Article Types 2 of 2