How To Write Great Sidebars
Add Extra Information, Explain Terms, and Make Saleable Articles
Sidebars are great for explaining things that might otherwise interrupt an article's flow, and for adding extra tips and information that a reader will appreciate.
Sidebars – those separate ‘mini’ articles that often accompany a larger article – are terrific for giving readers information that you want to stand on its own, instead of possibly getting lost in your article. They are also helpful sales tools, since many editors like to use sidebars to give their readers a more complete body of information.
Put Information in a Sidebar or in The Body of the Article?
How do you decide what information to put in a sidebar and what to keep in the body of your article? One way to do this is to think of yourself as the reader of the article you are writing. Ask yourself what useful information could be taken out of your article without disrupting the flow or completeness of the piece. If you find such information, chances are that it would make a great sidebar.
Ask yourself, as well, what additional information, although perhaps not critical to the article, would be a nice bonus. Again, you probably have the makings of a sidebar.
Sidebars Have Many Uses
Sidebars can be used for many kinds of information, depending upon the kind of article you are writing. For example, if you are writing a how-to article about knitting a scarf (read more in Writing How-To Articles That Sell), you could use a sidebar to give readers a list of materials needed for the project. The list will stand out, making it easier for the reader to ensure that he or she doesn’t miss any materials. If this how-to article is aimed at the beginning knitter, you could use another sidebar to explain knitting terms, such as ‘purl’ and ‘cast off’.
A travel article about a city might contain a sidebar listing travellers’ resources, such as the locations of hospitals and emergency phone numbers. Other sidebars might focus on great neighbourhood walks, or historic monuments in the area.
A profile of a lottery winner could include a sidebar offering tips for investing those sudden riches, while news about a promising medical development could benefit from a sidebar that highlights specific information about this breakthrough that you want people to remember.
The Set-up of Sidebars
Should a sidebar be written in point form or in full sentences? To answer this question, you need to research the publication you are targeting, and take a look at how their sidebars are written. Some publications use only sidebars written in full sentences, while others prefer point form; some use both.
Clarify the kind of sidebar a publication uses in your query letter, when you’re offering a sidebar or two to accompany the article you’re proposing.
Remember, when you are writing an article, to think of yourself as the reader, and see if there are things you wish were clearer, or if there is any other information you would find helpful, and consider using sidebars for these items.
