feature writing

Feature

Rida Munir Butt Saba Ijaz

Misbah Bahadur centre for media and communication

studies university of Gujrat

Definition:

“A special article in a newspaper, magazine or a part of television, radio broadcast that deals witha particular subject”.

What is Feature?

A feature is a creative, sometimes subjective article, designed primarily to entertain and to inform readers about an event, situation, and any aspect of life.

Elements of above statement

• Creativity:• Subjectivity:• Entertainment• Informative• Imperishable

So feature stories are:

• Feature stories are popular content elements of newspapers, magazines, blogs, websites, newsletter, TV broadcast and other media.

• Feature stories are journalistic researched, description, colorful, thoughtful reflective through about original ideas.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A FEATURE STORY

• Are factual and require reporting

• May or may not be timely.

• The form and style must be according to the contents and purpose

• Have novelty leads

• Mention keynotes in the opening sentences

• Feature stories cover topic in-depth• doesn’t mean to report recent breaking

news• Features are generally longer• penetrates deeper in the subject.

Feature Writing

• Does not have to be written in the inverted pyramid format

• Written to hook the reader and draw them into the story

Types of feature

• Human interest story:

• Personal experience feature:

• Character Sketch or Profile:

• Service feature or “how to”:

• Historical Features:

• Behind the scenes:

• Seasonal Themes:

• Developmental feature:

• Featurettes

• Travel stories

• Features are not only restricted to print media

• There are also found audio and video features

Sources of feature

• Personalities

• Commemorations

• Social and cultural sources

• Science and technology

• History

• Psychological factors

• Investigative stories

• Policies

• Electronic

• Social subjects

• Expositional and instructional

Things to be consider while writing a good feature…….

….

• Efficiently composed information• Fact based• Keen observation and interest• Consider the demand of reader• Entertain and inform as well• Written off-the-cuff• Divergence• Human interest

• Lead must be impressive• Positive approach• Critical view of topic• Form and content must be suitable to topic• Literary touch• Style• Defined conclusion• Be visual

Steps of feature

• Brainstorm idea• What’s the purpose?• Research the topic.• Grab the reader’s attention• Keep that attention• Leave an impression.

Process of feature writing

• Topic• Who are your readers?• What do your readers already know?• What do your readers need to know?• Write a theme for your story.

Choosing the Theme

• Has the story been done before? • Is the story of interest to the audience? • Does the story have holding power

(emotional appeal)? • What makes the story worthy of being

reported? • The theme answers the question, "So

what?"

• The “So What” paragraph• Usually in the third or fourth paragraph• Explains the reason the story is being

written

Writing the Lead

• A summary may not be the best lead• A lead block of one or two paragraphs often begins a

feature • Rather than put the news elements of the story in the

lead, the feature writer uses the first two or three paragraphs to set a mood, to arouse readers, to invite them inside

Body of the Feature

• Provides vital information while it educates, entertains, and emotionally ties an audience to the subject

• Important components include:– Background information– The “thread” of the story– Dialogue– Voice

Background Information

• A paragraph or two of background should be placed high in the story to bring the audience up to date

Background Information

• A paragraph or two of background should be placed high in the story to bring the audience up to date

The “Thread” of the Story

• Connect the beginning, body and conclusion of the story

• Because a feature generally runs longer than a news story, it is effective to weave a thread throughout the story, which connects the lead to the body and to the conclusion

• This thread can be a single person, an event or a thing, and it usually highlights the theme

Dialogue

• May be used to keep a story moving• In feature reporting, it must be accurate• Can give readers strong mental images

and keep them attached to the writing and to the story’s key players

Establish A Voice

• The "signature" or personal style of each writer

• Voice is the personality of the writer and can be used to inject color, tone, and subtle emotional commentary into the story.

• Voice should be used subtly

Wrapping it Up

• The ending will wrap up the story and come back to the lead, often with a quotation or a surprising climax.

• Often, a feature ends where the lead started, with a single person or event.

•Writing is a process•Writing requires discipline• writing is building

Finally … sit down and write……….

That’s what all we have …….

Any question ??????

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