1. How To Write a Feature Article
Formulating Ideas
Having a good idea, and having lots of good ideas is difficult, but a
writer has to rely on a constant stream of good ideas, which they
generate themselves. A good tip is to keep ideas jotted down on
postcards, filed away for future use, so that the cupboard is never
bare.
Collecting and Filing Cuttings
One way of generating ideas is to constantly scan sources -
magazines, papers, journals - for the germ of an idea. Anything you
come across can be filed away for future use.
Subject Research
Once you have a clear idea of what you are going to write then, and
only then, do you start the legwork. This may take the form at first of
background research and reading. Whether you use all the material
you find or not, it may help to lead you to other sources or to potential
interviewees.
Interviewing
Most articles will carry some interview material. It is this which makes
the article fresh and live, and which gives it authenticity. Too many
writers see features as a platform for their own opinions. The very best
articles listen to others talking.
Writing, Drafting and Editing
The process of drafting and polishing your article is a very personal
one. Some people say they never plan first, some never rewrite, others
do both. The computer has made it much easier to do planning,
writing and editing all in one. But make no mistake - editing,
sharpening, polishing your article, however you do it, is a very
important stage.
Feature Articles
by Lizzie R. Santos
There are many types of feature articles. Here are some of them.
Informative Features
Perhaps the most written, an informative feature presents
information. It can include figures, graphs, charts, photos and any
other valuable source/s of information related to the topic being
written about. An informative feature article may be written in a
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2. serious as well as a light tone. The writer can make use of special
language (jargon) depending on his target readers. Examples of
informative features are: an article on the latest findings about human
cloning, an article about the results of a survey conducted on a
particular topic, a piece on how to organize a stress-free party.
How-To Features
This is another common type of feature article. It is a practical guide
to doing something or achieving a goal. This type is best written in a
light tone for easier understanding. It should be direct to the point
and written in easy-to-understand language. Examples include: How
to hurdle your first job interview, one week to quit smoking, quick
tricks to earn extra cash.
Entertainment Features
More commonly written in a light tone, this type aims to entertain; to
provide comic relief. Entertainment pieces are great space fillers and
are usually shorter than the informative pieces. It may be written
using a first person point-of-view. It can be satirical in tone. Some
examples are: Wacky ways to meet your possible better half, a satire
on the political candidates running for a forthcoming election, how
you trained your lazy cat to hunt for mice.
Human Interest Features
This type targets the emotions of the readers. The subject matter is
simple but the writer elicits reaction from the readers through the use
of language, tone and style. Examples are: a feature article on an
adopted child’s colorful journey to trace his biological parents, how a
poverty-stricken family started a community project that changed the
lives of the whole neighborhood, a day in a shelter for the elderly.
News Supplemental Features
As the name states, this type of feature article supplements a news
item. It should merely enhance and complement but not replace a
news item. News supplementals stem from news articles. Examples
are: a piece on how to detect a terrorist to supplement a news item
about the latest terrorist attack, a supplement on the first successful
heart transplant to complement a news item about the latest findings
on heart surgery.
Seasonal Features
This type is dependent on the season. Examples are: an article on
choosing budget-friendly gifts for Christmas season, Halloween
surprises for kids, Valentine’s on a budget.
Personal Account Features
This type talks about a particular or unusual experience or
achievement of the writer or somebody else as narrated to him. It is
best written using a first person point-of-view by the person who
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3. actually had the experience. Examples are: a piece on the writer’s
unusual collection, how the writer survived a natural calamity, a
cancer survivor’s account focusing on her spiritual transformation.
Personality Sketches
Also known as the "Profile," this type of feature article brings out the
subject matter’s distinct personality. It may be written in either a
serious or light tone. While the personal account deals with an
achievement or an experience of the subject, the personality sketch
focuses on the person himself. Examples are: A celebrity as an
ordinary parent, most cover stories of magazines, a write-up on a CEO
celebrating his 90th birthday.
Interview Pieces
Interviews are conducted for different reasons. The writer may
interview a person who is an authority on a subject matter to get
information from him. An interview may be conducted to clarify an
issue or even just to find out more about the interviewee himself as an
individual. Thus, there are different kinds of interview articles
depending on why an interview was conducted. Examples are: An
interview piece on somebody who served as a celebrity’s bodyguard
focusing on his experiences with the celebrity, an interview on the
celebrity himself focusing on his latest project.
Historical Features
This type focuses on a historical event. The writer should ensure that
the facts and figures he presents are accurate. Examples are: a piece
on the September 11 World Trade Center bombing, an research piece
on the atomic bombing of Japan during the second world war, a
feature article on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Travelogues
Usually written as advertorials, travelogues focus on destinations.
Travelogues are best written using descriptive language to make the
destination come alive in the readers’ minds. Examples are: Feature
articles on mountain resorts, shrines and other tourist attractions.
Interpretative Features
This kind of feature is a writer’s interpretation of or opinion on a topic
that may be social, economic, political, and controversial or even
ordinary but relevant issue. Examples are: a writer’s opinion on pre-
marital sex, a writer’s evaluation of a movie, an opinion piece on a
controversial bill being passed in congress.
Feature articles may fall under one, two or even more categories. For
instance, a comic piece on different techniques to find an instant date
for Valentine’s Day may be considered as a practical how-to, a
seasonal article, an entertaining piece and a personal account all in
one. Now, isn’t that so much fun -- and challenging -- to write?
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4. Opening a Feature Article
A new writer often finds himself in a dilemma: "How should I start my
feature article?" Sure, he has a clear idea of what he wants to write
about. He has decided that he will write an entertaining feature for
married couples. He wants to write it in a very light tone so that it will
be easy to read, will entertain the readers at the same time that it will
impart knowledge. But how shall he start? There are different ways to
start a feature article. The lead (the first sentence or paragraph; also
called "introduction") is an important part to consider. Aside from a
catchy title, the lead will either hook the readers to continue reading
the article or turn the page to another piece.
Question Lead
A question (it can be a series of questions) that is related to the main
topic of the article is used to arouse the readers’ interest in the piece.
Example:
What really happened to the Titanic? What untold stories remain
buried with the Titanic?
(Lead for a feature article on the Titanic)
Direct Address Lead
A question or a sentence is addressed to the reader as if the writer
were directly talking to him to encourage him to read and react to the
whole article.
Example:
Are you losing sleep over uncollected debts? It’s time you collect!
(Lead for a piece about collecting payments)
News Summary Lead
The article begins with a brief recount of a news item.
Example:
For six agonizing minutes on July 16 1991, a horrifying 7.5
magnitude earthquake shook the mountain city of Baguio,
Philippines.
(Lead for a personal account of a survivor of that earthquake)
Incident Lead
This lead cites an incident to introduce the topic of the article. The
incident may be real or fictitious, unlike the news summary lead
which should be factual.
Example:
Susan watched in horror as her four-year old son dashed to the street
after his rubber ball. In an instant, everything was over! Her son lay in
a pool of blood!
(Lead for a piece on child safety tips)
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5. Sentence Lead
A sentence or series of sentences introduces the topic of the article.
Example:
If garlic is "Nature’s Antibiotic," then onion is "The Third Ingredient."
(Lead for a feature on the medicinal uses of onion and garlic)
Historical or Literary Allusion Lead
An allusion is made to a historical event or literary phrase to arouse
curiosity on the content of the piece.
Example:
If a face can launch a thousand ships, then a loving wife can make a
thousand ships sail for home.
(Lead for an article on keeping a husband satisfied)
Question Lead
A quotation is used to introduce the topic or arouse the interest of the
reader. The person quoted may or may not be a celebrity, although a
celebrity’s words have of course, more weight.
Example:
"Why me?"
(A simple street vendor asks the writer when he is informed that he
will be interviewed for a human interest feature. His question was
used by the writer to start his piece.)
Descriptive Lead
This type of lead uses vivid description to hook the reader to finish the
article. This type is best used for travelogues and personality
sketches.
Example:
The chapel is like no other. Paintings of angels come alive from the
majestic ceiling. The stained windows look like rainbows against the
morning sunlight. To the left are statues of saints. They seem so real,
you can almost feel them breathing.
Punch Lead
A short sentence that is set apart as a paragraph. It is dramatic way
to introduce the topic of the article.
Example:
Let God and let go!
(Lead for a piece about faith)
Staccato Lead
This type uses a series of phrases or sentences that produce a
rhythm. It is another dramatic way of introducing the topic of the
feature article.
Example:
Call it infatuation. Obsession. Illusion. Call it a dream, a nightmare,
but call it love!
(Lead for an article about teenage love)
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6. There are many more ways to begin a feature article. And then again,
two or more types of leads may be combined to produce an irresistible
introduction to a masterpiece. Just remember to match the tone of the
article and to suit the taste of the target readers.
Analysing a Feature Article
By Lisa Greeves
Lead and conclusion: Explain the strategy that the writer is using in
the lead of this feature article. How long is the lead? Is it descriptive?
Anecdotal? Setting a scene? What is the reason for using a lead like
this? What does it accomplish? Similarly, examine the conclusion of
the feature article. Does it connect back to the lead in some way or
not? Is it catchy or dull? Where does the conclusion to the article
begin and how long is it? Sum up the overall effect and success of the
lead and conclusion in this article. What can another writer learn
from the strategies used here?
Content areas: Examine and name the different categories of content
that the feature article covers. Are there too many content areas
(making the article too unwieldy), just enough content areas, or not
enough? Are there other content areas that could have been
addressed but were not?
Background: Most features have some kind of background
explanation or an explanation of some history of the topic at hand.
Describe the background information featured in this article. Does it
provide enough information or not? Is there anything mentioned in
the article that assumes the reader understands it and its
importance? What other kinds of background information could have
been featured?
Number and quality of sources: How many different sources are in
this article? How would you categorize these different sources? How
are they authority figures? Are they appropriate or not? Was there too
many of one type of source, or were there any other types of sources
that you expected to hear from and didn’t? Is there a certain view or
side to the story that you feel should have been represented by a
source that wasn’t? Or are all views and sides covered?
Quality of quotations: Examine the feature article for the strongest
and weakest quotations. Where do you find the strongest, most
memorable quotation? What kind of source does it come from? What
does it add to the article? Why was it used? Pinpoint what you feel to
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7. be the weakest quotation. What kind of source does it come from?
Why do you think it was used if it is a weak quote? Discuss also what
the quotations reveal about the quality of questions asked by the
writer.
Lively writing: Keeping in mind that feature articles are designed for
informative pleasure reading, examine this article for uses of
particularly strong, vivid writing and vocabulary. They may be
descriptive and visual or merely explanatory and technical. They may
make use of unusual vocabulary that captures your attention. But be
able to explain to your peers why you think the writing works well in
that section.
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