FEATURE WRITING

WRITING FEATURES
• - According to the dictionary, the word feature means a special
attraction, a distinctive characteristic or an appearance. For example, “ A
feature of Ana Maria is the mole on her cheek.”
• - When used in journalism, feature means a style of writing that takes an
in-depth look at a specific aspect of reality , whether it is about a current
event, trend, or person.
• - Often termed as “ soft news “ because they have more room for
creative expression and not because it is a “dumbing down “ of content.
• - Explores not only facts but also feelings. Not only informs but also
entertains.
FEATURES are NOT
• - fiction. It is as obsessed with facts as a news story and the 5 Cs of
creative writing. It likewise continues to apply the news value albeit to
a lesser degree. A feature can be timely but it can also be an
evergreen, a story that could be published at any time of the year.
• - essays. Like the straight news story, it is judged by the news values it
contains. One can write an essay about his/her grandfather’s role as a
soldier in World War II. But it cannot simply be about his experiences
in 1945. The writer would have to find a timely or current peg to
make it viable for publishing. For example, a story about one’s
grandfather as a veteran for the anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan on
April 9.
CHARACTERISTICS of FEATURES
• - Variety of subject matter- can take any topic under the sun. The
kindling of the reader’s interest on such a topic primarily depends on
the writer’s creativity on using the language.
• -Variety of tones- may use a variety of dramatic tone, exciting
narration, suspenseful drama, angry letter, morbid experience and the
like.
• -Variety of form and style- may use any form and any style depending
on the writer’s judicious judgment to capture easily the reader’s
attention. One may use acrostic or literary techniques in crafting
stories, so long as the content is factual.
CHARACTERISTICS OF FEATURES
• -Well-organized- follows a general format of having an introduction,
body and ending. Its contents, like all other pieces of writing, should
be logically arranged such that a smooth flow of ideas is attained.
Hence, it still follows the rules of thumb in effective writing.
• - Strikes keynotes in a first sentence- The secret of arousing reader’s
attention is to intrigue him/her at the beginning. That is why features
need to be very striking at the first part. It does not necessarily mean,
though, that the first sentence summarizes the important details in
the first sentence like in straight news. If one does this, suspense is
forfeited , excitement is lost.
CHARACTERISTICS of FEATURES
• - May or may not be timely Unlike news articles, features may skip
immediacy because it is up for the writer’s dexterous use of the
language to make the antiquated subject rise from the tomb and
capture the attention of the current readers.
FEATURE flourishes in :
• - color
• - fancy
• -wit and humor
• -anecdotes
• quotations
Qualities of a Well-Written Feature
• - well-researched
• -catchy
• -descriptive
• exciting
• -reflective
• -emotional
• -engaging
• -neutral
• thorough
TYPES of FEATURES
• - Informative feature. This gives information on subject of current
interest. It is usually based on interview and research.
• - Human interest feature. Sometimes called “ concerned story “, it
deals with minor incidents that deserve attention because of
dramatic, humorous, tragic, sensational or unusual ( odd ) angle of
the story.
• - News feature. It gets its materials from current events, covering
details that were omitted by the news.
• - Personal experience. This tells of some unusual true-to-life
experiences written in the first person account.
TYPES of FEATURES
• - Personality sketch. ( Profile feature )- Silver screen celebrities,
political figures, athletes, beauty titlist are the popular choices for
personality sketch. However, simple persons may be highlighted
through the use of this kind of feature story.
• - Humorous feature. The primary objective of features is to entertain.
So what is more fitting than making people laugh and be relieved of
the stress of life while reading your article ?
• -Interpretative feature. This helps the reader understand the
background and significance of social, economic, political and other
problems of everyday life.
TYPES of FEATURES
• - Seasonal or holiday feature. It includes subjects like events celebrated
once a year. It primarily magnifies the significance and relevance of
holidays, anniversaries and special events.
• - Travelogue. It is an account of one’s travel experience and a vivid
description of places visited. Also, it highlights the beauty of interacting
with people and places. It offers endorsements and guidelines on places
where money would be worth spending. Travel feature writers demand
exceptional descriptive and narrative skills.
• - Science and Technology feature.It is concentrated on the latest
advancement in science and technology with the aim of informing the
readers and arousing their interest.
TYPES of FEATURES
• - Historical and cultural feature. Historical events and sites can
provide readers a sense of identity. By comparing the present to the
past, they can see how time has changed their environment, culture,
values, and perspectives.
• - How-to-do and what-to-do features. They are educational in
essence. They provide knowledge about process or activity. Most
often, they showcase step-by-step procedure in doing something.
The Effective Feature Writer
• - is a keen observer
• - has an analytical mind
• - is a wide reader and a good listener
• - is a frequent writer
• - is a master of language
Sources of Features
- News
- Magazine articles
- Books
- Scrapbooks
- Casual conversation
- Travel /familiar places
- Interview / observation /speeches
- Files of old materials like bulletins
WRITING the FEATURE
• Rules of Thumb in Writing the Introduction
• - Provoke the reader’s interest by making an unusual statement.
• - Provide any necessary background information.
• - Invite the reader to take sides by making a controversial statement.
• - Heighten the drama of an event or incident to intensify its appeal.
• - Establish your tone.
• - Create a relationship between the writer and the reader.
Writing Introduction : Techniques
• - Question. It raises a question or a rhetorical question which the article may
or may not try to explore and discuss.
• - Startling statement or exclamation. This may be used to compel attention.
• - Striking statement. It is an enticing piece of information in a short punchy
format. It adds suspense.
• - Descriptive technique. It is used to draw the reader into the story by
creating a strong image in his/her mind. The words are colorful and concrete
enough for the reader to appreciate and feel the ideas presented in the
story.
• - Summary technique. This sums up the general topic of the story ( but does
not follow the inverted triangle. )
Writing Introduction: Techniques
• - Anecdotal style. This relies on a conversational tone to create an
intimacy among the reader, the writer and the characters in the
article. It is packed with specific details.
• - Quotation. There are times that quotation- whether overused or
not- can arrest the reader’s interest. The writer just needs to ensure
that the quotation is appropriate and that he can manage to establish
the relationship of the topic and the quotation.
• - Contrast technique. The writer sets off his subject with two
apparently contradictory pieces of information. This is to emphasize
two contending ideas or events.
Writing Introduction: Techniques
• - Break formal style. This leaves to the reader’s imagination the things that
happened in- between events.
• - Character technique. Primarily, this style introduces the central person in
a story. This is most common in personality sketch or profiles in which you
use an individual to represent a larger topic.
• - Figurative style. This employs figures of speech.
• - Quoting an expert. This uses a statement of an authority in a specific
field.
• - Staccato style. In music parlance, staccato means short and not sounding
connected . A feature writer may start by using sudden and brief ideas or
words or phrases.
Writing Introduction: Techniques
• - Lyrics of a song. This covers many forms and is appropriate for any
topic just that, the writer should link the relationship of the lyrics to
the topic or theme of the article.
• - Letter style. Some dramatic and hilarious feature stories start with a
letter style.
The Body of the Feature Article
• - usual components of the body are subheadings
• - include facts, statistics, opinions from authorities and experts,
quoted statements and interviews, anecdotes and stories
• -specific names, places and dates should also be verified before they
are included
Important components of the body
include:
• - Background information. A paragraph or two of background should
be placed high in the story the bring the readers up-to-date.
• - The “ thread” of the story. This connects the beginning, body and
conclusion. This thread can be a single person, an event or a thing,
and it usually highlights the theme.
• - Dialogues. May be used to jeep the story moving. They must be
accurate that they can give readers strong mental images and keep
them attached to the writing and to the story’s key players.
• - Voice. The “signature” or personality of the writer which can be
used to inject color, tone, subtle emotional commentaryinto the story.
How to End the Feature Article
• - Summarize the key points of the story.
• -Straightforward question.
• Offer solutions and recommendations.
• Forecast or predict.
• Appropriate quotations.
Writing Titles of Feature Stories
• - You may use a one-word title. Just make sure that it capsulizes the
theme or the subject of your feature story.
• - You may use a brief question.
• -You may use a contrasting phrase.
• -You may use a description with alliteration.
• - You may use one brief sentence.
Tips for Beginning Feature Writers
• - Limit to 500 words or less.
• - Use facts and statistics when appropriate.
• - Use appropriate quotes.
• - Consider your audience. ( readers )
• - Consider the medium the feature will appear on.
Sentence and Paragraph Development
• - Improve the simple narration strategy by magnifying the character of a
person or an event. Example : Ruben is happy. Reconstruct the sentence
– Ruben was so happy that he kissed the forehead and cheeks of Mario
and hugged him tight.
• - Avoid using ambiguous modifiers such as tall, short, fat, thin. Say-Pedro
was so short that he had to climb up the Arius tree to see the parading
soldiers.
• - Animate verbs and work for sounds. Add color to the actions of the
characters. Instead of drank quickly, write gulped, walked quietly –
tiptoed.
• - Use the active voice.
Sentence and Paragraph Development
• -Avoid clichés by reconstructing them.
• -Play with figures of speech.
• - Vary sentence length to emphasize thought.
REFERENCES
• - CAMPUS JOURNALISM- Second Edition by Rachel E. Khan
• - CAMPUS JOURNALISM within your reach by Ferdinand Bulusan,
MAEd