1. FEATURE WRITING
A feature is a story about a person, event or an aspect of a major event often having a personal slant. A feature “sets the scene” rather than just reporting facts.

2. So what is “feature writing”
How is it different from news?
What types of stories would you find in the “feature section?”
Would you still find “feature writing” in other parts of the paper?
Types of stories
Profiles
First-person
How-to
Hobby/occupation
Travel stories
Sports feature
Entertainment features

3. Human interest
Discusses a person or persons in an emotional way… stories with a heartwarming twist or a unique turn… a subject that most readers care about. Makes the reader really KNOW the person.
Example:
Siamese twins separated after 75 years!
Last survivor of the Titanic tells the REAL story.
Senior Kay Olson collects toe-nail clippings.
Coach Hartwell inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame.

4. Informational
Explains the WHY and HOW of a topic In detail. What the readers need to know in an interesting way.
Example:
How to prepare for college, budgeting money, or why gaming is so popular

5. Shared Experience
The reporter writes a first-hand, behind-the-scenes account of a subject that readers couldn’t or wouldn’t explore on their own.
Example:
Parachuting, white-water rafting, ghost hunting

6. Consumer Report
Investigates a product to discover what experts say, compare pros and cons, availability and prices.
Example: online game, electronic device, food product

7. Trend
An observational report on a current style or what’s “hot” in popular culture.
Example:
Trends in music, fashion, film, television, books, etc.

8. The “xxxxxxx” story The “Homecoming Story” isn’t enough
Neither is the “Football story”
You’ve got to find an angle.

9. Feature 411
1. Choose an angle: find a fresh, original approach to the topic.
2. Outline BEFORE you write: Create a framework. Seek a central contrast, conflict, or comparison which can become, ironically, the unifying element.
3. Develop the lead (see next slide): Devise a lead that’s interesting, clear and gives a clue to the direction and tone of the story. Arouse the bored reader.
4. Do the research: To achieve quality, depth and accuracy, you have to work for it.
5. Use anecdotes: tell the story!

10. Cont’d.
6. Balance the quotes: avoid long and rambling quotes. Use direct quotes to improve the story, not take it over.
7. Don’t over dramatize: Remember, this is still a type of news story…. Not a novel.
8. Have a clear beginning, middle and end.
9. Be consistent: maintain the same voice, perspective, mood and tense throughout the piece.
10. Listen: hear what people say and let it soak in.

11. Traits of Good Feature Writing
SHOW don’t TELL
Put the reader there.
Good reporting is more than just asking a few questions
There should still be some “news value”

12. Feature Leads 1. Descriptive lead:
This allows the writer to become a story teller and hint at interesting things to come:
Mel Trimmer is not yet 16 but he moves with style and confidence of an older guy. His slouchy jeans and rumpled t-shirts, his baby face and his tousled hair—all brushed forward and shaggy—is all part of his “look” that earned him the title of “school heart-throb.”

13. Feature Leads 2. Question Lead: Also good for columns Example:
What would you do if you won an internship at the White House? Senior Maya Caldwell is no longer asking that question after getting a visit from the Secret Service.

14. Feature Leads
3. Factual lead: Uses stats and hard facts upfront to gain interest.
Example: Fifty percent of all students admit to cheating in school based on a new study conducted by the American Council of Ethics.

15. Feature Leads
4. Quotation Leads: Begins the story with something one of the subjects said.
Example: “I’m lucky to be alive,” sophomore Micky Stans said after begin run over by a school bus.

16. Feature Lead 5. Direct Address Lead: Readers are told to do something
Example: Imagine tile floors so shiny they glow, bright-colored hallways and sunny classrooms.

17. Doesn’t have to be a story
Think of all the alternate story forms that could appear in your feature section.

18. Checklist:
Do readers understand why they should care about my subject?
What do average readers want to/need to know?
What’s the payoff for the subject? Why should he/she submit to this?
Can I provide insight and/or inside details about my subject?
Have I cut out all long, dull and predictable quotes?
Did I capture the subject in “real life” in a scene or two?

19. Find Inspiration
Look at every newspaper and magazine you possibly can for ideas.
Read great writers to become a better one.