M C
FEATURE
A L L I E D
WRITING
1
What is a
feature?
A feature is a human-interest story that appeals to a wide
variety of readers. It often highlights a particular person, place, or
event in great detail or explores an issue or topic of current
importance.
• Lively Feature writing is
• Interpersonal defined by its style
• Informal (write as you speak, more than by any
using colloquialisms and jargon) specific subject. In
• Short paragraphs style it is good to
• Compelling narration strive for the
• Variety in peace and following qualities:
rhythm
• Most importantly, a fresh perspective
or angle on your topic.
• Facts combined with opinions,
In content, feature
keeping things concrete
• Descriptive writing writing commonly
• Generous use of quotes and anecdotes is characterized
• Comprehensive background by the following
information and other explanation qualities:
Why feature
writing?
Write when you have an idea or a
specific angle on a subject that readers
Why write?
might not know about or think about
themselves. Don’t think of it as simply
sharing your knowledge about a subject
but instead as sharing and developing
your distinct thoughts and perspective on
it. Write in ways that will strive to
contribute to readers’ own ways of
thinking.
Readers’ interests vary according
to feature type. For example, their
interests in a local story rest in wanting
to feel part of and close to their
community, environment or region.
Your piece can personalize that locale
Why do readers for them. If the subject of your piece is
a local person, readers’ interests are
piqued by hearing something
want to read it? interesting, inspiring, or unsung about
this person’s experiences. Consider as
well local recognitions or significant
local historical stories, appealing to
readers’ pride of place.
1. News - Not in the mode of
news reporting but a focus on
some human interest aspect of
a news event that is otherwise
glossed over in the reported
TYPES OF
news. A news feature also can
provide background stories FEATURE
about the given situation that
aren’t well known.
2. Profile – An in-depth story
about a person, organization
or event. You might
TYPES OF provide a history section
(background, education, life
FEATURE experience) along with
alluring behind the scenes
details that can’t be found in
an easy web search.
3. Trend – A highlighting
of something new and
exciting in modern
culture. Provide details TYPES OF
about the beginnings of
the trend, why and how it FEATURE
is grabbing people, and
what to watch for.
4. Human Interest – A “day in the
life of” stories that have some
emotional aspect (e.g. facing a
challenge, a plight, a conflict;
experiencing a new belief; accounts
TYPES OF of travel). Describe what it’s like to
be in a specific situation or
FEATURE environment or location, to be at a
certain event or to be a certain
person in that person’s daily
goings-on. Human interest also can
center on dramatic events (such as
rescues) where emotion is intense.
5. Personal Experience –
A dive into unfamiliar
lifestyles offering readers
TYPES OF
a new perspective. FEATURE
6. Seasonal – Some novel
TYPES OF angle of interest
associated with a holiday
FEATURE or other seasonal
experience.
Research and plan.
Here is where you develop a firm grasp Components
of: why should readers care? What’s my
angle? What direction am I taking? of Feature
Writing
Research and plan.
• A compelling feature story requires more
research than most other kinds of newspaper
writing. Read different perspectives on your topic.
See what perspective interests you most and
whether evidence for it is strong enough.
Research and plan.
• Narrow your focus – what type of feature will
you write? What is your stance? What is a
meaningful angle on your targeted topic – why
does it matter? Why is it interesting?
Research and plan.
• What is your purpose - Why are you writing
about this topic in this way to this particular
audience? What do you want your piece to evoke
in readers? (sympathy, learning, anger, action)
Research and plan.
• Read what has been published in this
newspaper before to get a sense of the intended
readers, topics of interest, and perspectives that
offer fresh points of view.
Research and plan.
• Research background information on your
topic, different perspectives and arguments
supporting them, evidence and counterfactuals
that can strengthen your own point of view.
Flesh out your story
• Look for statistics, already Components
available quotes and case of Feature
studies.
Writing
Flesh out your story
• Schedule interviews, prepare questions and
probes to follow up possible responses to
questions.
Flesh out your story
• If you are doing a profile feature, spend long
enough with a person at different times to see
what the person is really like.
Flesh out your story
• Include only the most colorful and interesting
quotes. Everything else should be paraphrased.
Structure your piece for
interest and clarity
• Figure out the best way to
organize your piece. For
example, consider organizing it
Components
chronologically, narratively, or of Feature
by theme. Then, when ready to
write, plan to structure your Writing
piece as follows: Title/headline;
Introduction; Body; and
Conclusion.
TITLE/HEADLINE
Make it catchy, short and snappy. Tell readers what
the content is about. Feel free to use emotive
language. Some techniques are to ask a question
or give an imperative
INTRODUCTION
Hook the reader with the introduction but keep it
short and brief – no longer than 15% of your
article. The Introduction should let the reader
know why the story is important and worth their
time without telling them directly. You set the
tone for your piece in the Introduction.
In general, approaches to your Introduction
include the following:
• Make an interesting or provocative statement.
• Introduce the topic.
• Foreshadow your points or challenge your
readers to consider a distinct idea or
perspective.
• Provide background information on your topic.
To do these things, feature writers follow certain
organizing conventions:
DECK- Start by capturing the gist of the article in
one or two short sentences
To do these things, feature writers follow certain
organizing conventions:
DELAYED LEDE- Here is where you more leisurely
develop for readers the who, what, where, when,
and why of the story.
BODY
Break the body into several paragraphs/sections.
Here’s where you present your opinion and any
visual elements that illustrate the story. Evoke the
setting with imagery or sensory details. Support
your opinions and use a variety of evidence– e.g.
statistics, case studies, interviews, quotes.
In developing the details in the body, show don’t
tell. The following techniques help in showing:
• Anecdote – a short and personal story that is
relevant to ground the piece in real life
situations.
• Rhetorical question – a question that is
supposed to go unanswered to trigger readers’
own thoughts.
In developing the details in the body, show don’t
tell. The following techniques help in showing:
• Hyperbole – an exaggeration.
• Imperative voice – a forceful use of words
through commands, like “we must…”
• Metaphor and simile – saying one thing is
another or is like another to stimulate readers’
thoughts and images through associations.
In developing the details in the body, show don’t
tell. The following techniques help in showing:
• Anaphora – a repetition of a word or phrase at
the beginning of sentences for emphasis (for
example, from the Police song: “Every breath
you take/Every move you make/Every bond you
break/Every step you take/I'll be watching you”)
CONCLUSION
Leave a lasting impression on readers and provoke
the intended response – e.g. encourage a change
of opinion, prompt action, or encourage making a
decision.
Tips for feature
writing that draws
readers in
Share your opinion, express your views, show your
personality (humorous, serious),
semi-formal/conversational with colloquialisms, emotive
language.
Use strong verbs and nouns – limit adjectives and
adverbs. Adjectives don’t show, they tell. Verbs convey
action and give a story movement and momentum.
Use active voice.
Address the reader as “you.”
Write with zest, find your voice.