News vs magazine — different forms, different rules
If the question says 'newspaper', shift OUT of magazine register.
Cambridge sometimes asks for a news report; sometimes a magazine article. The two forms look similar on the surface but differ in important ways.
| Feature | News report | Magazine article |
|---|---|---|
| Voice | Third-person impersonal | First-person allowed |
| Tone | Neutral, factual | Opinion-led, persuasive |
| Structure | Inverted pyramid | Hook → argument → close |
| Quotations | Named direct quotes | Anecdotes, paraphrased ideas |
| Editorial | None — facts only | Yes — author has a position |
| Audience | General reader of a newspaper | Reader of a specific magazine |
The single biggest mistake candidates make is using magazine register for a news report — opening with 'I' or with a personal anecdote, expressing opinions in the reporter's voice. This caps the AO5 mark.
How to spot the form in the question:
- 'Newspaper article' / 'news report' / 'local newspaper' → news register.
- 'Magazine article' / 'school magazine' / 'opinion piece' → magazine register.
Cambridge tip. When you see 'newspaper', think Reuters, BBC News, The Guardian's news pages — not opinion columns. Imagine writing as a reporter who has interviewed sources, not as a student sharing thoughts.
- News = impersonal third-person; magazine = first-person allowed.
- News = facts; magazine = opinion-led.
- News = inverted pyramid; magazine = hook-driven.
- Read the question carefully — 'newspaper' vs 'magazine' = different register.