Types of
Feature
Stories
Feature Writing
What’s a Feature Story, again?
Feature stories can help to broaden, emphasize,
amplify the news.
Features can tell those multiple stories in a variety
of ways, and we will spend the next few class
periods exploring the most common types of
features.
Let’s start class!
Take out your homework chart:
Source Title 2-3 Sentence Summary Feature Category
Respond to the following question:
What is something I learned about feature stories last
class?
Add to your notes
The next slides are all about each type of feature story.
Take notes on key ideas onto your chart from yesterday,
and fill in examples as we discuss them.
PERSONALITY PROFILE
What: reveals an individual’s character and lifestyle;
exposes different facets of the subject so readers feel
they know him/her.
Why: readers love to learn about other people – famous,
remarkable, unusual.
How: combines quotes, details, facts, descriptions to
show more than tell.
Note: It is important to relate the profile to something
currently going on in the news, whether local, national or
global to heighten reader interest. Readers will ask “Why
should I care?” or “Why does this matter to me?” The
news peg answers that question for them and makes the
profile relevant.
HUMAN INTEREST STORY
What: discusses issues through the
experiences of another.
Why: readers like good stories to make them
laugh or cry.
How: use storytelling skills – set scene,
establish mood, describe characters, conflict.
Note: All features benefit from a human
interest angle. Human interest stories discuss
issues through the experiences of another.
BEHIND THE SCENES
(LIVE-IN, COLOR) STORY
What: inside views of events, issues, unusual occupation,
unique location or subculture; reporter becomes part of the
culture and writes from first-hand experience.
Why: it gives readers the feeling of penetrating the inner circle
or being a fly on the wall. They’re privy to unusual details and
well-kept secrets about procedures or activities they might
not ordinarily be exposed to or allowed to participate in.
How: captures mood and experience through observation,
describing sights/sounds, interviewing participants.
Personal narrative: while discouraged, sometimes the best
way to share an unusual experience is in a personal
narrative, recreating the drama. However, the experience
must be dramatic.
ANALYSIS PIECE
(SPOT NEWS OR BACKGROUNDER)
What: focuses on an issue or event in news; covers same
subjects as hard news but in greater depth and detail;
focus on individuals more than hard news stories (which
focus on numbers and statistics); usually hung on an
“individual’s story” peg.
Why: explain how something happened, why it matters;
gives readers all they need to know about a complex topic
quickly and in easily accessible format.
How: thorough research and interviews; may begin with
person and tells human side of story.
Spot feature: focus on breaking news event (on deadline);
often used as sidebars
Reaction piece: provides sampling of opinions.
TREND STORY
What: covers what’s fresh and new and current –
people, places, things, ideas (art, fashion, film,
music, high-tech, fads, lifestyle).
Why: keep readers up-to-date on what’s affecting
culture.
How: bright, light, tight; quick and easy to read,
capture spirit of whatever trend is being
discussed.
Seasonal themes: stories about holidays and
change of seasons at specific times of the year.
FLASHBACK OR
HISTORICAL FEATURES:
What: commemorate historical anniversaries
or turning points in social, political or cultural
development. Juxtapose then vs. now.
Why: take reader back to revisit event and
issues surrounding it. Explain significance
and why it still matters.
How: Combine facts, photos, interviews to
explain.
Variation: this date in history (short, reminds
of significant events on particular date).
HOW-TO (EXPLANATORY)
What: explains how to do something or how
something works; detailed description that
makes it easy for the average person to
understand the entire process; often uses
similes, metaphors; a step-by-step explanation
to help a reader accomplish a particular job or
task.
Why: teaches readers how to do something.
How: writer learns about topic through education,
experience, research or interviews with experts.
CONSUMER GUIDE
What: tells readers where to find best food,
clothing, tech, music – anything they want to
buy.
Why: readers want to get the best quality at
lowest cost and want research done for them.
How: do research and rate items, list
pros/cons, provide options, include
when/where/how much info.
Which works best?
What are the THREE best types of feature
story for our publication?
What is the worst type?
Be prepared to share your answers and
explain WHY you have chosen the answers
you agreed upon in your group.
Identification Practice
Read the sample feature story you’ve been
given.
What type of feature story is it?
Be prepared to share your answers and
point out specific examples from the story to
justify your opinion.
Exit Ticket:
What are three specific things you
learned about feature writing today?