(REPUBLISHED)
Searching for ideas for articles? Stumped? What if I told you that by the end of this 500 word piece you will have the ability to find a hundred or more ideas in less than an hour?Do it now. Pick up the nearest newspaper or magazine – jot down the first heading or sentence that catches your eye. For example – from the front page of The Vancouver Sun (Nov 30th 2013).
“VANCOUVER -- In the first project of its kind in Canada, 12 recycled shipping containers will become social housing for women in the Downtown Eastside by next spring.”
You could write your own article on the same subject. You could also dissect the headline. Brainstorm the first word – “Vancouver” with possible articles in mind. Are there any special dates or anniversaries coming up in this coastal B.C city? What about “the big one” any information out there regarding Vancouver’s earthquake plan? Did any interesting facts come up in the 2011 census? Why is Dead Man’s Island so named? Why is the Vancouver obesity rate almost half that of the rest of Canada? ‘Vancouver’ itself could take up a few pages of ideas but let’s move on.
“…In the first project of its kind in Canada…” Does Canada have any other firsts? I took a moment to look this up and discovered that Canada was the first country to be created through legislation. The world's first wireless message was received by G. Marconi in 1910 in St. John's, Newfoundland, and – I love this one - Canada has the world's first fully-simulated Mars base.
“…Recycled shipping containers…” Did ancient cultures recycle? What are the oddest things to be recycled? What else have shipping containers been used for? Well, for starters - the world’s biggest organized market, located in the Ukraine, which is made up of alleys formed by stacked containers, and covers 170 acres. Interesting…
“…Social housing for women…” Why target women for social housing? Because statistics show that one in five Canadian Women live in poverty: 21% single mothers, 36% Aboriginal women, 35% visible minority women, 26% women with visible disabilities and 14% single, senior women – according to the Canadian Women’s Foundation.
“ …Downtown Eastside…” Write about this area being Vancouver’s first settlement, or of the rise and fall of these historic neighbourhoods. What about the success stories and the hopes for the future.
“…Spring.” Do I really need to elaborate? Put a spring in your step with these 5 healthy tips, 10 ways to spruce up your house this spring, spring clean and put cash in your pocket, spring clean your document folders/social media/friends list. How to cope with allergies this spring, where to holiday this spring, home maintenance tips for spring…
At least 25 off-the-cuff ideas stemming from just one headline on the front page; finish the newspaper and you could have a life-time of diverse article topics!
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