Chapter 11 Writing Features

11.1 Types of Features Pages 290-295 Feature Story Has all the journalistic elements of news story Written like a nonfiction short story No formula (like inverted pyramid) Less timely than news story Longer Begging, middle, and end Describes a person or place, rather than event

Human Interest Feature unusual, offbeat, or just the result of keen observation survivors of disaster legend tripping family reunions people who pursue their passions evoke emotion subjects out of the ordinary activities of classmates

Informational Feature Story Provide information Experts help explain story for readers Nutrition, diet, exercise, home improvement, travel, etc. How-to stories School is full of experts (Morand – sports photography)

Trend Story a current style what’s in vogue popular culture explain what the trend is, and how it developed entertainment writers are good spotters fashion, music, art, language, internet, etc.

Common Characteristics Focus on fact, not opinion Relevant to readers Structure: beginning, middle, and end Anecdotes to give story life Central point Impact Sometimes written as a sidebar (secondary to news of the day)

THE BIG SECOND SEMESTER PROJECT: LEGEND QUEST

Overall Description One feature-length news story 6 pages minimum, double-spaced, in 12 pt. Times New Roman font One video documentary (5 minutes minimum) Topic: Any local legend or mystery At least five sources must be cited At least two of the five sources must be human primary or secondary witnesses

News Story Format News Feature Can be written in first person Here's how you can tell the difference between a news story and a feature story: News articles cover the basics of current events. They answer the questions: who, what, where, how, and when? Feature articles are longer and more in depth than regular news articles. They cover one subject from multiple angles and are written in a more creative, entertaining format. Although a news story can be creative and entertaining, too! Can be written in first person

Video Format Documentary Travelogue Narrator Team Investigation Still Photos, Video, or Combination Witness Interviews Serious Reinactments

Tone Serious, with very brief and very appropriate comic relief, if any This is not a satirical treatment Approach the story with an open, skeptical mind

Final Product Read to class Presented in class Submitted to the Anderson-Independent Mail and / or local publisher

Some Print Examples Pendleton man gets back to the grind, reopens family mill – Anderson Independent The Long Road Home – Teen Newsweek

Some Video Examples http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOWWIDT910I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9EpqBf0oCY http://www.syfy.com/rewind/destinationtruth/1317987/ http://www.history.com/shows/brad-meltzers-decoded/videos/brad-meltzers-decoded-the-vatican#brad-meltzers-decoded-the-vatican

Suggested Topics Is there a Crybaby Bridge in Pendleton? Is Confederate Gold buried in Anderson County? Is AU’s Sullivan Music Building haunted? What are the Georgia Guidestones, and who paid to have them built? Were entire towns flooded to create Hartwell Lake? Have there ever been any UFO sightings in Anderson County? Has anyone ever died of spontaneous human combustion in Anderson County? Have any bigfoots been spotted in the Upstate? Why has the Quarry been closed? Is it haunted by the spirit of a student who died there?

Narrative Stories Chapter 11.2 Textbook pages 296-303

Narrative Form Features often use this form Uses techniques of oral storytelling Third-person Present tense Accurate, factual, and precise Requires more room for leads More space in paper, so writer can spin tale

Possible Leads Descriptive Direct address Question Quotation Summary Surprise Umbrella

Descriptive Lead Open with a description of a person, place, or thing related to the story “Her apartment is small, spare, and cramped, hardly what you would expect from such an eclectic and iconic figure who spans the worlds of music, fashion, and art.”

Direct Address Readers are told to do something “Imagine what music, fashion, and art icon Lady Gaga’s New York home must look like.”

Question Lead Readers are asked a direct question “What would you do if you received one of the most coveted party invitations in New York City – to Lady Gaga’s thirtieth birthday party?”

Quotation Lead The story opens with a quotation “I can’t believe it!” my editor screeched. “You’ve received an invitation from Lady Gaga. She wants you to cover her thirtieth birthday party!”

Surprise Lead The writer supplies a twist Most of the mail that lands on my desk here at the New York Times is junk or complaints. When I opened the 24 carat gold flake envelope last week, I could not believe my eyes – a birthday party invitation from Lady Gaga!

Narrative Story Structure The Lead The Body The Kicker

Personality Profile Chapter 11.3

Personality Profile Chapter 11.3 * Stories about people * Ordinary or celebrated * Bring the person to life * Glimpse of personality

Personality Profiles Not a biography

Personality Profile More limited focus Selected milestones and accomplishments Includes biographical details to tell story

Personality Profile Requires great preparation Learn about the person BEFORE interview Otherwise, you are unprepared and annoying

A Good Profile Requires The cooperation of your subject Input from people around subject Background and biographical material

Celebrity Profiles A celebrated person Person of note

Celebrity Profiles A celebrated person Person of note Who are the celebrities at TL Hanna?

Your Assignment for Chapter 11.3 A personality profile Can be family member, classmate Celebrated or not Friend, Family Member, Classmate, or Stranger Must be two pages minimum, typed in 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced. Must include background and quotation(s) from friend or associate Must have a successful lead Graded for proper grammar It is due on Friday, February 14th

Your Test Covering Chapters 11-11.3 Wednesday, February 12th In the event of inclement weather, it will be Friday, February 14th The Personality Profile is due Friday, February 14th, regardless of whether or not the test is on that day as well This PowerPoint Presentation will be on my website No other review