1. Profile/Feature Writing Prof. Vaccaro * Hofstra University

2. Today’s Roadmap 0 News Quiz 0 Go over Assignment No. 3 obituary 0 Lecture on profile / feature writing 0 Prep for Assignment No. 4 feature

3. Purpose of features 0 Feature articles are detailed pieces of writing which explore a range of issues, opinions, experiences and ideas. 0 Longer in length, text, space, etc. 0 Should appeal to the particular audience the article is targeting.

4. Storytelling structure 0 Stage 1: Tease me, you devil. Give the reader a reason to continue reading. 0 Stage 2: Tell me what you’re up to. What is the story really about? 0 Stage 3: Oh yeah? Prove what you just said. Use evidence to support your theme. 0 Stage 4: Help me remember it. Make it clear and forceful and give it a memorable ending.

5. Steps to writing 0 Before you begin writing, develop a focus/theme 0 Use descriptive techniques 0 Cut down on use of adjectives, can present opinion if they’re used too much 0 Use analogies – compare vague concept to something familiar to readers 0 Limit physical descriptions – i.e. you don’t need to talk about someone’s suit at a court case 0 Use lively verbs – i.e. flinch, wince, sprint, scramble, yank, spy, glare, rattle 0 Use foreshadowing – give a clue to something that will happen later in the story 0 Create tone – mystery, happiness, sadness, excitement, etc.

6. Beginning of feature 0 The first paragraph outlines the subject or theme of the article, it may also: 0 Provoke the reader's interest by making an unusual statement. 0 Provide any necessary background information. 0 Invite the reader to take sides by making a controversial statement. 0 Heighten the drama of an event or incident to intensify its appeal. 0 Establish the writer's tone. 0 Create a relationship between the writer and the reader.

7. Heart of feature 0 The middle section consists of a number of paragraphs that expand the main topic of the article into subtopics. The usual components are: 0 Subheadings. 0 Facts and statistics which support the writer's opinion. 0 Personal viewpoints. 0 Opinions from authorities and experts. 0 Quotes and interviews. 0 Anecdotes and stories. 0 Specific names, places and dates. 0 Photographs, tables, diagrams and graphs.

8. Wrap the feature story 0 The concluding section should leave a lasting impression by: 0 Reminding the reader of the article's main idea 0 Suggesting an appropriate course of action. 0 Encouraging a change of attitude or opinion.

9. Thinking about the big picture 0 What kind of additional things should you look for? 0 Follow-up stories. Can this be a series? 0 How can you present this story on the web? 0 Photos/video 0 Social media updates/marketing for feature

10. Reporting techniques 0 Establish chronology 0 Gather detail, detail, detail 0 Ask sourced questions to construct a scene, relive moments 0 Research, research, research 0 Features are not built on fancy writing, but more on strong in-depth reporting

11. Writing techniques 0 Organize the story by sections 0 Short sentences 0 Pacing 0 Dialogue 0 Narration

12. Read some features 0 Everyone read 1 or 2 features in class right now 0 Pulitzer prize feature stories Pulitzer prize feature stories 0 Best magazine articles ever written Best magazine articles ever written 0 NY Times Magazine NY Times Magazine

13. Key takeaways 0 Gather details and take notes of your observations 0 Use show-in-action techniques. Describe what people are doing. 0 Use vivid action verbs. 0 For narrative writing, try to envision yourself at the scene. 0 Get a chronology to reconstruct events as they occurred.

14. Key takeaways 0 Think of your story as a plot with a beginning, middle and climax. 0 Envision your sources as characters in a book, make your reader see, hear and care about them. 0 To write well, read well. Read as much fiction and nonfiction as you can, and study the writing styles.

15. Assignment No. 4 0 Due Thursday, Nov. 27 0 750-1,000 words 0 Using what you learned today, combined with a newsworthy topic, construct a feature story about something that interests you

16. Next Class 0 Next class is Tuesday, Nov. 27 0 Assignment No. 4 due Thursday, Nov. 29 0 News Quiz