feature writing
TRANSCRIPT
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 ??????
03/11/201203/11/2012 Feature writingFeature writing