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Title: Feature Writing - Journalism Study Guide
Description: This study provides an in-depth discussion of feature writing, which includes the elements, types, characteristics and parts of a feature article, as well as the characteristics a good feature writer should have. Use this guide to help you write your own feature article!
Description: This study provides an in-depth discussion of feature writing, which includes the elements, types, characteristics and parts of a feature article, as well as the characteristics a good feature writer should have. Use this guide to help you write your own feature article!
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FEATURE WRITING
I
...
● Ivar Gica (1988),
an article with an interesting title and an equally
exciting lead paragraph, sustained interest,
suspended and reasonably satisfying ending
...
● In feature, the immediacy of the event is secondary
...
Elaboration, mood,
context, detailed description, emotion and,
sometimes, humor surround bare facts
...
● Ideally, a feature has elements of both and the
writer can use a variety of techniques and devices
to add “color” to the story
...
FEATURE spells
Elements of a
Feature Story
Creativity
Subjectivity
Informativeness
F - factual not fictitious
E - entertaining
A - appealing to the emotions
T - timely / not timely
U - unusual
R - reader-oriented
E - explanation, extrapolation - extending / projecting
known info
●
●
●
●
●
creativity
subjectivity
informativeness
entertainment
imperishable
Feature writing allows a reporter to create a story virtually
at will, but still he is bound to observe factual & accurate
reporting
● Some feature stories are written in the first person /
the "I approach" thus allowing the reporter to inject
his own emotions & thoughts
...
A feature story may lack in hard news value, but can
constructively inform public of a situation / aspect of life
that may escape coverage in hard news stories
...
● It has now become a must for the newspapers to
device a way to be able to attract their fast
dwindling number of readers
...
● While news stories are highly perishable, feature
stories are generally not
...
● Veteran writers may keep a list of possible feature
stories which they intend to write in the future
Types of Feature Articles
Common Types of
Feature
Human interest
feature
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●
●
●
●
●
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Human interest feature
Personality feature
Historical feature
Analytical feature
Travelogue
How-to feature
Unusual feature
I-account feature
It involves people and their troubles, failures and
successes
...
The information usually comes from interviews
with successful people or celebrities
...
Analytical feature
It dissects a problem such as school vandalism or student
cheating and describes how some people would try to
solve the difficulty
...
How-to feature
It aims to explain a process or how a certain product or
service is made or rendered
...
I-account feature
It narrates the first hand experiences of the feature writer
...
Characteristics of a Feature Article
(Pangilinan, 1988)
1
...
Usually more entertaining more often that it informs, instructs or
advises
...
Factual and requires reporting ; well-organized
4
...
5
...
May or may not be timely
IV
...
2
...
4
...
Has variety of subject matter
Variety of tone as it may be light / serious
Has a variety of form & style
Should always be factual & accurate as any journalistic writing
A well-organized form of writing & observes the principles of effective
writing such as unity, variety, & coherence
V
...
Narrative Lead
The technique used by this lead is to create a situation
...
Quotation Lead
A profound succinct quote can make an interesting lead
...
Direct Address Lead
The reporter communicates directly to the reader,
The Teaser Lead
Guidelines in Writing
Feature Lead
It is a device to deceive readers in a jesting manner
...
2
...
4
...
Be succinct
Write short paragraphs
Use action words
Adjectives can provide needed glitter
Hook the reader for the first few words
Be succinct
Don't waste words
...
Use action words
The verb is the spark plug
...
Characteristics of a Good Feature Writer
1
...
3
...
5
...
7
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Organization of Ideas
Terms
Laws of Progressive
Reader Involvement
Introduction
Responsibilities of
Lead
Rising Action
Notes
1
...
3
...
Tease me
...
Prove it
...
● begins with an eye-catching "showcase" lead
● must set the tone for what follows
● must get the article underway
● must bridge the rest of the article
● has a fully organized body with a smooth flow of facts
/ ideas
Climax
Falling Action
Conclusion
How to Get People
Interested in Your
Writing
Substance of
Feature
● builds up an interesting picture of the story
● tries to draw a picture of the subject / event
● brings the reader gently down
● it makes for a perfect way to wrap up the article
● ends with strong words
● must end with a "coda", reminding the reader how the
article began
● end stories in memorable ways ; it's often good to use a
quote
- this is called a clincher
● Know your reader
● Know your end goal
● Explain why the reader should care
(the classic "benefits over features" marketing rule)
● Anticipate questions
● Write tightly
●
●
●
●
●
●
Facts
Quotes
Description
Anecdotes
Analysis
Pay off / Conclusion
- reward for readers persevering until the end
Title: Feature Writing - Journalism Study Guide
Description: This study provides an in-depth discussion of feature writing, which includes the elements, types, characteristics and parts of a feature article, as well as the characteristics a good feature writer should have. Use this guide to help you write your own feature article!
Description: This study provides an in-depth discussion of feature writing, which includes the elements, types, characteristics and parts of a feature article, as well as the characteristics a good feature writer should have. Use this guide to help you write your own feature article!