1. Chapter 11
Writing Features

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. THE BIG SECOND SEMESTER PROJECT: LEGEND QUEST

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

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

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

14. Some Video Examples http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOWWIDT910I

15. 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?

16. Narrative Stories Chapter 11.2 Textbook pages 296-303

17. 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

18. Possible Leads Descriptive Direct address Question Quotation Summary
Surprise
Umbrella

19. 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.”

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

21. 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?”

22. 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!”

23. 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!

24. Narrative Story Structure
The Lead
The Body
The Kicker

25. Personality Profile Chapter 11.3

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

27. Personality Profiles
Not a biography

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

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

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

31. Celebrity Profiles
A celebrated person
Person of note

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

33. 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

34. 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