Feature Writing Agenda Choosing Topics Types of Feature

Feature Writing

Agenda Choosing Topics Types of Feature Stories Types of Feature Leads Body of a Feature Ending of a Feature

Background Features stories read like nonfiction short stories Beginning, middle and end “Human Interest” or “Style” Pieces May describe a person, place or idea more so than an event May be less timely, local or “earthshaking” than hard news Explore topics in greater depth than news Still not personal opinion! Fair, balanced, based on reliable information

Items to Include in Features Borrow fiction writing techniques Descriptions Sensory details Quotations Anecdotes Characterization Setting Plot structure Other novelistic elements

Choosing a Topic Fresh, dramatic, colorful and exciting Universal Examples: Food, Clothing, Shelter, Belonging, Money, Leisure News stories often spark spinoff topics Fight in hallway Student needs/safety

Types of Features Personality Profiles Historical Adventure Seasonal Explanatory How To Personal Experience Behind the Scenes Participatory Medical Business Unusual Occupation or Hobby

Personality Profile Describe interesting people Achieved success Served community Must reveal a person’s character NOT just a list of achievements or important dates Readers should feel like they’ve met the person

Historical Commemorate dates of important events Bombing of Hiroshima Birthday of Nelson Mandela 9/11 Describe famous landmarks, pioneers, philosophies, educational initiatives, etc. Consult historical documents or interview eyewitnesses to event

Adventure Describe an unusual or exciting experience Survival of an airplane crash Climbed Everest Quotations important and descriptions are very

Seasonal Seasons or holidays Be careful not to be mundane Find a new angle! Focus on an individual Unique traditions Volunteering or community events

Explanatory “Local situation” “Interpretive” “Sidebars” Provide a more detailed description of topics in the news Act of terrorism article Examine terrorists’ identity, tactics, or goals

How To Perform a task Build a home Plant a garden Train a puppy Psychological Survival issues skills Avoid preaching or advice with personal opinion Gather facts and tips from experts

Unusual Occupation or Hobby These jobs and hobbies tend to involve colorful or interesting people Paint a picture Person How he/she got involved Actual job or hobby

Personal Experience First or second person Writer appears in the story Directly addresses audience Do not give opinions Still focus on facts Pick an interesting topic Don’t dwell on insignificant details

Behind the Scenes Take readers backstage An inside look Job Event Group Conversation

Participatory Writer actually experiences an event Gives an inside look of goings on

Medical Local health issues Ethical issues Common ailments Mental illness Gather facts from professionals and pair with quotes from subjects who have condition Show experiences and feelings

Business Promotions New business ventures Local economy Elections Look for the unusual or interesting

Types of Feature Leads AP Summary Similar to Hard News Quotations Questions Action Begin with the climax of the story

Leads Continued… Descriptions Sensory details to set the scene Similar to setting and characters in a short story Shocking facts Anecdotes Humorous play on words

Body of a Feature 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Be coherent Facts should fit together like a puzzle Use brief and effective transitions Be concise Emphasize lively details and actions

Body Continued… 6. 7. 8. 9. Use several paragraphs of summary and some quotations and details to explain ideas Be specific Use elements of literature Slant the feature for a specific audience

Ending of a Feature 1. Include a satisfying conclusion a. 2. Avoid summaries a. 3. Anecdote, quote, word or phrase that offers meaning They are boring and repetitive Edit and rewrite