feature writing

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feature writing - Presentation Transcript

  1. Writing Features Print Journalism John Williamson 25th January 2007
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. What is a feature: some definitions
    • Balance of fact against (self) indulgence
      • Activity : showing people doing things
      • Talk : let the subjects speak at length
      • Underwriting : let action and dialogue drive feature
      • Motion : keep piece moving forward
  5. 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.” (Keeble, 2001: 141)
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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.
  11. 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.’
  12. 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.
  13. 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)
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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?
  17. The Substance of the feature
    • Facts
    • Quotes
    • Description
    • Anecdotes
    • Opinions
    • Analysis
    • Pay off / conclusion - reward for reader persevering until the end.
  18. 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
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.

+ john1306john1306, 3 years ago

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