Feature Writing Because all business is no fun

Feature Writing Because all business is no fun!

FEATURE WRITING VS. HARD OR STRAIGHT NEWS The primary differences between featuring writing and hard news The purpose of the stories as determined by the writer Hard news - intended to inform Featuring writing - intended to evoke emotion The reaction to the stories as determined by the reader Hard news - immediately know the outcome; reader is informed Feature writing - written in the narrative; reader is entertained

TYPES OF FEATURE STORIES • Personality profile - Example • Human interest - Example • Trend story - Example • Backgrounders - Example • In-depth story - Example

FEATURE WRITING Reporting is still crucial Reporting is THE FOUNDATION of all great features Reporting provides the tools that a journalist needs to build a feature story REPORTING = Interviewing, research, observation

THE RULE FOR FEATURE WRITING: 40% OF THEIR TIME DOING RESEARCH TO FIND THE STORY IDEA 40% OF THEIR TIME DOING INTERVIEWS AND REPORTING 20% OF THEIR TIME WRITING

SO, WHAT DO I DO DIFFERENTLY: Details are fundamental They help capture a reader’s attention They draw the reader into the story THEY ALLOW WRITERS TO SHOW NOT TELL

HOW DO I GET THE DETAILS? Interview in person so you can observe the person in their own environment with their own things Gather more details than necessary Record EVERYTHING Shoot photos Ask a lot of questions Take a lot of notes

ALL OF THIS WILL HELP YOU DEVELOP THEME Once you’ve completed research and reporting, figure out what it all means by asking: WHAT IS THE STORY REALLY ABOUT? ? ? This is the most critical but often overlooked step Develop your focus statement and write toward that focus statement

Feature Writing Because all business is no fun!