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FEATURE WRITINGFEATURE WRITING
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Key discussions
1. What is a feature / definitions2. Key characteristics of features writing3. Different types of features - newspapers,
magazines, online4. How to structure and organise features5. Examples & Initial Planning
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What is a feature: some definitions
• Underpinned by factual detail and news sense but- Longer, more expansive and more personal than
news reporting
• More freedom to use own voice, personal experience.
• More sources, background and context
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What is a feature: some definitions
• “ features have more comment, analysis, colour, background and a greater diversity of sources than news stories and explore a number of issues at greater depth.”
(Richard Keeble, Print Journalism 2001: 141)
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Key characteristicsFeature writing is often marked out
by:
– Colour : small details adding life to writing– Observation : description of people/ events– Opinion / slant: writer or publication’s worldview– Quotes: most features draw on original material/
sources– Narrative: story telling– Dialogue / Debate: discussion / argument– Context: scene setting
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Other considerations
• Idea of ‘going behind / underneath the news’• “ fluff” - often dismissed as such.• Importance of knowing the style, content of the
newspaper/ magazine you are aiming at/ writing for.
• Visual dimension: feature writers have ‘the biggest eyes in journalism’
• Time : there is usually a much longer deadline for longer features due to production schedules, etc.
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Some types of feature writing• Issue based : canvassing views on one particular aspect
of a subject.• Human interest : based on people, their (life) stories.
Not necessarily famous/ personalities.• Eye witness reporting: embedded journalism - being
part of an event - detailing it.• Personality/ Celebrity Journalism: choice of subject
down to their status, public awareness.• Profiles : detailed article on well-known/ interesting
characters in the field.• Trends: food/ restaurants, jobs, music, fashion etc
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Some types of feature writing• All of these types of feature work across different areas of
newspaper coverage:– News / Politics / Leaders / Columns– Arts– Sport– Business– Technology– Travel
• Features writers tend to specialise - though good writers can move between different fields
• Recent moves by (broadsheet) newspapers to compartmentalise much of their features writing in supplements, magazines, etc
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EXAMPLES:ENTERTAINMENTFEATURES
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Examples: Fashion and Beauty
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Example: Profile Writing
• Popular form of a feature in newspapers and magazines. Not always of individuals.– Readers are curious about other people and their
lifestyles, opinions, etc.– Journalists find them fun to write and can be a
useful way of building contacts– Editors and publishers find them regular, cost-
effective space-fillers.– Subjects often flattered by attention.
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Example: Profile Writing
• Profiles also fall into a number of categories:– Short, news-story related.– A person’s views on a current issue(s)– Longer overview of a person’s life– Question and answer profiles– Angled, special focus profiles.– Profiles of couples, families, friends, etc.
• Danger of profiles being controlled by PR industry (e.g. celebrity magazines)
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How to write a feature: Planning
• Planning and Research:– Organising interviews - access to subjects often
controlled by PR companies– Accessing background material - press cuttings,
other interviews, listening to music, watching films/ programmes, etc.
– Deciding on the tone/ angle of piece - often dictated by publication it’s for.
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Introduction and Conclusion• Most important parts of a feature are introduction and
conclusion.• A Feature must have a clear beginning, middle and
end.• Needs to have a focus.• Introduction can adopt a number of styles:– News-report style.– A quote– A question– A personal observation or anecdote
• It needs to make the reader want to continue and explain what it is about.
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Introduction
• Some other devices: comment, description of a look, phone call, memory/ recollection, journey, arrival, etc.
• 5 questions which might help get a feature started:– What is the most interesting fact?– What is the best anecdote?– What is the most sensational quote?– What is/ was the most surprising event?– What is the ‘did you know that . . ‘ factor?
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The Substance of the feature
• Facts• Quotes• Description• Anecdotes• Opinions• Analysis• Pay off / conclusion - reward for reader
persevering until the end.
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The end (of the feature)
• The end can be. . .– A comment– Arguing a case / drawing a conclusion– A concluding quote– A pointed question– A summary of the article
• Indeed, many of the devices used to start it - BUT it helps to:– Hold something significant back and...– Make a connection with the introduction
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And one last thing. . .
– Importance of re-reading the article several times– Check that the style is appropriate for your
publication - for example,• Past or present tense• Use of first person• Assumed knowledge• Length of sentences and paragraphs• Technicalities - abbreviations, numbers, etc
– Don’t be ashamed to use style guide, dictionary and thesaurus.
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The next stage
• Get someone else’s opinion (not another journalist)
• Check:– Flow– Fairness - how those involved are portrayed– Facts - making sure that these are accurate
• Submit your article for subbing/ editing!• Await publication.
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Summary
• Feature writing takes many forms across newspapers and magazines.
• Equally there are a number of approaches - the key is to develop a style of your own that matches the publication you work for – your target press and audience.
• Importance of structure, coherence, focus and themes.• Even greater importance goes to a strong introduction
and conclusion.• Trial and error - it often requires writing bad features
to be able to write good ones.
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Remember: Feature stories are descriptive and full of detail.
• Feature stories generally have a strong narrative line. • Feature stories have a strong lead that grabs readers and makes them want to read on. • Feature stories often depend on interviews. • Feature stories include quotations from the person(s) involved. • Feature stories combine facts and opinion, with a focus on the human interest side of the story. While they can report news, the news content is
not of primary importance. • Feature stories both educate and entertain. They can include colourful detail as well as humour. • Feature stores contain the voice of the writer.
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Assignment
• Get into small groups• Each group will be given an area in a
newspaper – you are now their feature editors
• Your group must come up with a feature for that part of the newspaper – you must show the planning stage (including the brain storming, why you have chosen it etc, your research), the final product (present your feature to the class)
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AREAS TO CHOOSE FROM
• Motoring• Gardening• Family• Health• Food and Drink• Travel• Sport• Culture