feature writing

Writing Features Print Journalism John Williamson 25th January 2007

Key discussions
What is a feature / definitions
Key characteristics of features writing
Different types of features - newspapers, magazines, online
How to structure and organise features
Examples & Initial Planning

What is a feature: some definitions
Similarities and differences to news reporting.
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

Balance of fact against (self) indulgence
Mencher identifies some of the key characteristics of feature writing:
Activity : showing people doing things
Talk : let the subjects speak at length
Underwriting : let action and dialogue drive feature
Motion : keep piece moving forward

“ 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.” (Keeble, 2001: 141)

Key characteristics
Features 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

Other considerations
Not news story, though may be built around it.
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.

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

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 (e.g. Richard Williams, Charles Shaar Murray, etc)
Recent moves by (broadsheet) newspapers to compartmentalise much of their features writing in supplements, magazines, etc

Example: Eyewitness Features
Journalist takes on role of an outsider looking into another world.
Difference between attending an event as a member of the public and a journalist. (e.g. festivals)
Feature will not necessarily be written in a chronological order, but will pay close attention to details, quotes, and be based around observations of events and behaviour.

Example: Eyewitness Features
Often aimed at non-specialist readers, may have to include extra detail to accommodate.
Usually subjective - though danger of becoming self-indulgent.
Need to be true to the feelings of the writer. Problem of how to write creatively about dull /tedious events.
Problems associated with being an ‘outsider’ vs ‘insider.’

Example: Profile Writing
Popular form of 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 useful way of building contacts
Editors and publishers find them regular, cost-effective space-fillers.
Subjects often flattered by attention.

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 too sycophantic/ controlled by PR industry (e.g. celebrity magazines)

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 its is for.

Introduction and Conclusion
Most important parts of feature are introduction and conclusion.
Feature must have a clear beginning, middle and end.
Needs to be focused and thematic.
Introduction can adopt a number of styles:
News-report style.
A quote
A question
A personal observation or anecdote
It needs to make reader want to continue and explain what it is about.

Introduction
Some other devices: comment, description of a look, phone call, memory/ recollection, journey, arrival, etc.
Adams suggests 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?

The Substance of the feature
Facts
Quotes
Description
Anecdotes
Opinions
Analysis
Pay off / conclusion - reward for reader persevering until the end.

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 a connection with the introduction

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.

The next stage
Get someone else’s opinion (not another journalist)
Cenziper talks of re-reading her work 3 times to check:
Flow
Fairness - how those involved are portrayed
Facts - making sure that these are accurate
Submit your article for subbing/ editing!
Await publication.

Summary
Feature writing takes many forms across newspapers and magazines.
Equally the are a number of approaches - the key is to develop a style of your own that matches the publication you work for.
Importance of structure, coherence, focus and themes.
Even greater importance of strong introduction and conclusion.
Trial and error - it often requires writing bad features to be able to write good ones.

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feature writing

by John Williamson on Feb 01, 2007

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