This widespread interest in others affords to the writer of special articles one of his greatest opportunities, not only for preparing interesting stories, but for arousing readers to support many a good cause.  To create sympathy for the unfortunate, to encourage active social service, to point the way to political reform, to show the advantages of better industrial conditions, to explain better business methods—­all these are but a few of the helpful, constructive appeals that he may make effectively.

He may create this interest and stir his readers to action by either one of two methods:  by exposing existing evils, or by showing what has been done to improve bad conditions.  The exposure of evils in politics, business, and society constituted the “muck-raking” to which several of the popular monthly magazines owe their rise.  This crusading, “searchlight” type of journalism has been largely superseded by the constructive, “sunlight” type.  To explain how reforms have been accomplished, or are being brought about, is construed by the best of the present-day journals to be their special mission.

PERSONAL SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS.  Every one is vitally concerned about his own prosperity and happiness.  To make a success of life, no matter by what criterion we may measure that success, is our one all-powerful motive.  Happiness, as the goal that we hope to reach by our success, and health, as a prime requisite for its attainment, are also of great importance to every one of us.  How to make or save more money, how to do our work more easily, how to maintain our physical well-being, how to improve ourselves mentally and morally, how to enjoy life more fully—­that is what we all want to know.  To the writer who will show us how to be “healthy, wealthy, and wise,” we will give our undivided attention.

Business and professional interests naturally occupy the larger part of men’s thoughts, while home-making is the chief work of most women.  Although women are entering many fields hitherto monopolized by men, the home remains woman’s peculiar sphere.  The purchase and preparation of food, the buying and making of clothing, the management of servants, the care of children—­these are the vital concerns of most women.  They realize, however, that conditions outside the home have a direct bearing on home-making; and each year they are taking a more active part in civic affairs.  Matters of public health, pure food legislation, the milk and the water supply, the garbage collection, the character of places of amusement, the public schools, determine, in no small degree, the success and happiness of the home-maker.

Since the dominant interests of men and women alike are their business and their home, the special writer should undertake to connect his subject as closely as possible with these interests.  To show, for example, how the tariff, taxes, public utility rates, price-fixing, legislation, and similar matters affect the business and home affairs of the average reader, is to give to these political and economic problems an interest for both men and women far in excess of that resulting from a more general treatment of them.  The surest way to get the reader’s attention is to bring the subject home to him personally.