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Feature Writing Notes

There are two main types of feature writing: news features and timeless stories. News features are follow-up stories to breaking news events, while timeless stories do not need to be published immediately. Effective feature writing focuses on localizing stories around individuals to hook readers. Successful leads include the summary, striking statement, descriptive, and narrative styles. Feature endings should leave a lasting impression by relating back to the beginning, summarizing the story, or adding a new point.

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Connor Reese
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205 views

Feature Writing Notes

There are two main types of feature writing: news features and timeless stories. News features are follow-up stories to breaking news events, while timeless stories do not need to be published immediately. Effective feature writing focuses on localizing stories around individuals to hook readers. Successful leads include the summary, striking statement, descriptive, and narrative styles. Feature endings should leave a lasting impression by relating back to the beginning, summarizing the story, or adding a new point.

Uploaded by

Connor Reese
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Feature Writing

A feature is a news story written like a short piece of fiction.


A feature storys form must be more fluid than that of a news
story.
Generally, there are two types of feature writing.
1. News Features
2. Timeless Stories
A news feature is usually written as a follow-up or a sidebar story
that is linked to a breaking news event.
Features are developed around a news peg. A news peg is the
relationship of a feature or how it is pegged on a news event.
In feature writing, you need to start out by localizing and
personalizing you stories.
The strongest features are almost always about people.
A timeless story does not have to be used immediately.
One of the more popular types of feature story is a profile.
A profile is a short, vivid, character sketch.
Begin with unusual insight or noteworthy detail. Then emphasize
what is unique about the person. The beginning of a story must hook
the reader.
There are five categories of leads that may be useful when
putting together a story.
The five types of of feature leads are:
1. The Summary
2. The Striking Statement
3. The Descriptive Lead
4. The Narrative Lead
5. Quotations and Questions
The Summary Lead
Using a summary paragraph as a lead is similar to
the standard lead for a news story.
The Introductory paragraphs indicate the direction
the entire article will take.
The Striking Statement
A striking statement is used as a lead to shock or
surprise the reader.
The Descriptive Lead
The descriptive lead is constructed with concrete,
vivid details. The writer paints a clear picture of the scene, the
individuals, and their emotional states.

The Narrative
The narrative lead is probably the most popular
feature lead.
Narrative leads recount stories in which things
happen, and they often incorporate incidents of anecdotes.
Quotations and questions
Leads that use quotations and questions generally
are ineffective choices for inexperienced writers.
Most quotations need explanation to be understood.
Ending Features
An effective ending is just as important as the
beginning.
You want the final lines to leave a lasting impression.
Readers remember best what they last read.
Types of Endings:
Circle- The ending is related back to the beginning of
the story.
Summary- A story is quickly summarized.
Anecdotal Ending- Writer tells an anecdote early in
the story and concludes it in the end.
Add-on Closing- Make a point in the end that was
never made in the story.
Feature Organization
Answer four vital questions to improve the
organization of your feature stories.
1. Whats your subject?
2. What are you trying to say?
3. How will you say it?
4. Have you said it well enough?
Finding the Right Voice
In every story you write, you, the narrator, take on a
persona which is the character of the writer.
The choice you make becomes the tone of the story.
The tone is the overall mood of the story.
Rounding Out the Profile
A Profile is only as good as how you characterize the
subject. You create memorable stories and characters by telling
detail and concrete bits of info.
Humoring the Reader
Humor can breathe life into a story when used
appropriately.
When you are choosing amusing details for a story,
always exercise good judgement.

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