The way to make an article stick out (4)
I believe the answer is:
road
'the way' is the definition.
(road is a kind of way)
'an article stick out' is the wordplay.
'an article' becomes 'a' (indefinite article).
'stick' becomes 'rod' (I've seen this before).
'out' indicates putting letters inside.
'a' placed into 'rod' is 'ROAD'.
'to make' is the link.
(Other definitions for road that I've seen before include "Thoroughfare" , "Parting guests used to take 'one for the --'" , "'The . . . . to hell is paved with good intentions'" , "motorway?" , "Route travelled by sea" .)