FEATURE WRITING LECTURE 2 CATEGORIES OF FEATURES SCOPE

FEATURE WRITING. LECTURE 2 CATEGORIES OF FEATURES

SCOPE OF PRESENTATION Introduction to types of features. Types of features. Conclusion.

CATEGORIES OF FEATURES There are many categories of features that can be written, depending on the style and subject matter. While feature writers hardly stop to categorize their features, it is helpful for the beginning feature writer to think about the different categories.

CATEGORIES OF FEATURES This helps in enabling the writer to visualize the wide range of forms of possible features and to think about a possible idea for a feature. Journalism professors have categorized features, sometimes using different names for them, but the basic forms are:

CATEGORIES OF FEATURES The Personality Sketch The Interview piece The Narrative The Essay The Exposé The Confession The How-to-do-it Piece The Anthology The Column The Review

The Personality Sketch This is the profile of a man or woman. In its expanded form (book length) it is called a biography. This type of feature tries to give the life and career of a person – what they have done, what they think, their hopes, their ambitions, etc.

The Personality Sketch CONT’D Often, a personality sketch praises the subject, but this need not be so. The weaknesses and failures of the subject can also be exposed. And the subject of the personality sketch need not be a famous person, but he should be an interesting person.

The Personality Sketch CONT’D This is one of the most popular forms of features, for readers are curious about other people.

THE INTERVIEW PIECE This is a survey of the views of a person, usually a person in a position of authority, power, or influence. Or it could be a person who has something interesting or controversial to say. The feature can take the form of a question-andanswer format or it can take the form of a report or account.

THE NARRATIVE This describes an adventure or experience of the writer or someone else. It can be told in the first or third person.

THE ESSAY This is a composition often reflecting the personality of the writer. It is usually a treatise on an interesting subject. The essay could take the form of an information piece, an opinion piece, a humorous piece, an interpretive piece, or an inspirational piece.

THE EXPOSÉ This is usually an investigative piece, bringing out information (usually of a scandalous nature) that has not been made public.

THE CONFESSION This type of feature stresses the ups and downs of life, as revealed by the writer or someone else. The theme usually takes the form of a church confessional: sin, suffer and repent.

THE HOW-TO-DO-IT PIECE This category usually gives some advice or instructions on how to do or achieve something such as how to start a small business, lose weight, rear chickens in the backyard, keep a stray husband at home, etc. The category can also take the form of how-it-wasdone, where-to-do-it, when-to-do-it, or why-do-it.

THE ANTHOLOGY This is a survey or collection of a series of statements or comments on a single theme. For example, what African thinkers have said about African socialism.

THE COLUMN This is usually an opinion or advice piece written by a knowledgeable or accomplished writer and appears regularly in a newspaper or magazine. A good column is marked by the wit and sparkle of the prose of the writer.

THE REVIEW This is a report, description, interpretation, or analysis of a book, play, film, theatre, music and other literary, audio-visual and performing arts. Here’s a quick guideline for writing reviews-

THE REVIEW CONT’D i. INTRODUCTION ii. SUBJECT OF THE REVIEW iii. PREPARING TO WRITE THE REVIEW - Defining the readership - Careful reading and note-taking iv. PLANNING THE REVIEW - Basic questions to answer

THE REVIEW CONT’D - The introduction - Stating theme - Assessing the significance/relevance of the work v. EVALUATING THE WORK.

CATEGORIES OF FEATURES CONT’D CONCLUSION The list of categories given is not exhaustive, but it does give the most common types. It should also be noted that a feature may combine elements of several categories.

REFERENCE(S) Mwaura, Peter (1991). “Feature Writing”, in Boafo, S. T. K. (ed. ) Module on Advanced Writing. Nairobi: Space Sellers Ltd. , pp 1 -16.