1. Writing Feature Articles
Part 1 Planning & Research

2. Steps To Success Part 1: Planning & Research Brainstorm ideas.
What’s the purpose?
Who is the target audience?
Be specific.
Research your topic.

3. Brainstorming
Things I Know a Lot About / Things I Do Well Current affairs? A Hobby? A Sport? To Help Others? At School or For School? Around the House? Other?

4. “Chrystal Meth. Users are Murderers”
What’s the purpose?
Be clear about why you are writing the article.
Is it to inform, persuade, observe, evaluate, or evoke emotion?
For instance, if my topic was illegal / addictive drugs, I may choose the title of:
“Chrystal Meth. Users are Murderers”
Write off: “Ice addicts take their own life, as well as their family and friends”

5. Purpose?
What do you think my purpose is? Why would I want to write about such a depressing topic?
To entertain?
To persuade?
To inform?

6. Who is my target audience?
In the real world, this would largely depend on the media you are writing for.
For instance, Dolly magazine’s target audience is….?
Wheels Magazine?
Woman’s Weekly?
FHM?
Cosmopolitan?

7. Target Audience
For your task, your target audience would be the gender and age group most likely to be interested in your topic or issue.
So my article “Chrystal Meth. Users are Murderers” would appeal to?.....
Therefore my target audience is any male or female between the ages of 14 – 50.

8. Be specific More specific: How Crystal meth users Topic: Illegal drugs
More specific: Illegal and addictive drugs
More specific: Crystal Methamphetamine
More specific: Crystal Meth users
More specific: How Crystal meth users
affect their family and friends

9. Research your topic Come up with at least questions about your topic
If you are unsure, ask someone else what they’d like to know about your topic
Research experiences of others
Use factual information
Be accurate
Keep your audience in mind – What really matters to them?