of the subject-matter being indicated on one side of the envelope, so that, as the envelopes stand on end, their contents can readily be determined.  If a writer has many of these envelopes, a one-drawer filing case will serve to keep them in good order.  By constantly gathering material from newspapers, magazines, and printed reports, he will soon find that he has collected a considerable amount of information on which to base his articles.

CHAPTER IV

APPEAL AND PURPOSE

ANALYZING THE SUBJECT.  When from many available subjects a writer is about to choose one, he should pause to consider its possibilities before beginning to write.  It is not enough to say, “This is a good subject; I believe that I can write an article on it.”  He needs to look at the topic from every angle.  He ought to ask himself, “How widespread is the interest in my subject?  How much will it appeal to the average individual?  What phases of it are likely to have the greatest interest for the greatest number of persons?” To answer these questions he must review the basic sources of pleasure and satisfaction.

WHAT INTERESTS READERS.  To interest readers is obviously the prime object in all popular writing.  The basis of interest in the news story, the special feature article, and the short story is essentially the same.  Whatever the average person likes to hear and see, whatever gives him pleasure and satisfaction, is what he wants to read about.  In order to test all phases of a given subject from this point of view, a writer needs to keep in mind the fundamental sources of satisfaction.

Subjects and phases of subjects that attract readers may, for convenience, be divided into the following classes, which, however, are not mutually exclusive:  (1) timely topics, (2) unique, novel, and extraordinary persons, things, and events, (3) mysteries, (4) romance, (5) adventure, (6) contests for supremacy, (7) children, (8) animals, (9) hobbies and amusements, (10) familiar persons, places, and objects, (11) prominent persons, places, and objects, (12) matters involving the life, property, and welfare of others, (13) matters that affect the reader’s own success and well-being.

Timeliness.  Though not absolutely essential, timeliness is a valuable attribute of any subject.  Readers like to feel that they are getting the latest facts and the newest ideas, in special feature articles as well as in the news.  A subject need not be discarded, however, because it does not make a timely appeal.  It may have interest in other respects sufficiently great to compensate for its lack of timeliness.

Many topics that at first glance seem quite unrelated to current activities are found on closer examination to have some aspects that may be brought into connection with timely interests.  To a writer keenly alive to everything that is going on in the world, most subjects will be found to have some bearing on what is uppermost in men’s minds.  Emphasis on that point of contact with current ideas will give to the article the desired timeliness.