1. The ‘Heart’ of the Newspaper
By Alfonso M. Samillano Jr.
Chief Editor, The Prism
University of Antique Main Campus

2.  The so-called „heart‟ of the publication
Written to entertain for lighter reading
Action-packed
Comments, dialogs, personalities carry the
story
Like news, it is factual in approach but differs
in structure
Independent from element of timeliness for it
to attract reader attention

3. Never uses the inverted pyramid
format
Focuses on what‟s most interesting
Starts with a description – either a
mood or a setting
Hardly starts with a direct quotation
Runs beyond one sentence, usually
five or six paragraphs
Attribution is delayed

4. News Features - explores news stories in details
Personality sketch – facts centered on a person
Q 7 A
Issue-oriented – examines trends and
controversies
Seasonal – special occasssions (Cristmas, Holy
Week, etc)
Bright Feature – it‟s a „little funny‟, unusual story

5. Something-Out-of-Nothing – about something
ordinary
Historical – focuses on history of an event
Travel – destinations, points of interest, what
they offer, etc.
First-Person – written only when a person
experienced an extraordinary event
Consumer-Oriented – business, products and
services
Practical guidance – the how-to articles, tips on
almost about anything

6. News Feature
A summary lead that tells the beginning, middle and end of the story.
Example:
Hundreds of elite soldiers are scouring the rugged terrains of San
Remigio in search for members of NPA responsible for beheading
government operatives more than two weeks
Quotation Lead
Prefers short and dramatic but summarizes the theme, otherwise
this is seldom used.
Example:
“When my husband died, I lost my life, too. I can‟t remember
anything now. I died with him.” (American Magazine)

7. Direct Address
Use the pronoun ‘you’ in consumer-oriented pieces and related
stories.
Example:
“You‟re in a jeepney and someone pokes his knife on your side
demanding: “Give me your cellphone.” What do you do when
you know he has three companions around you? (POLICE
FILES)
Play of Words
Use of puns or jokes
Example:
„Tubig.‟ It is a problem too big to solve in the metropolis.
(Unang Hirit)

8. Question
Sometimes this works, but sometimes it could be silly.
Example:
What does an anti-war organization do when the war is over?
Suspense
Short leads that lead to suspenseful development
Example:
Three weeks ago, Milagring Corring bought a stack of travel books
and maps for the planned cross-country adventure with her
husband. They left home Friday last week. Three days later, she
bought him a casket.

9.  Anecdote lead
Tells a brief story applicable to the key issue of the feature
Example:
Every morning, Sixto wakes up before 5 a.m. when the roosters sing
their symphony at dawn. He would stretch first, and jump out of bed and
do his usual 50-count push ups. “I don‟t drink. I don‟t smoke and at 50, I
can still run almost as fast as my 16-yearl-old boy,” says Sixto, who
attribute his fitness to good diet, enough sleep and exercises.
Physical Description
Describes a person especially his/her physical attributes.
Example:
Sixty-two-year old Olayra Perez, unlike other women her age, has
remained almost a fountain of youth. Her face hardly has wrinkles, and
her sister swears Olayra‟s looks were almost the same when she was
25.

10.  Descriptive lead
Making things highly visual for the reader is the hallmark of this type
of lead. Scenes, individuals, events and moods are described clearly
and precisely as the situation takes place.
Example:
Dawn has yet to break and yet, informal settlers in Brgy.
Tuburan were all running towards the lone water faucet with their red
and blue buckets of different sizes. To them who have been
waterless for a week, the steady sound of dripping water is like a
wave of relief. Young and old, employed and jobless, they all crowd
expectantly, willing the faucet to spew a steady stream of water.

11. How to Paint Word Pictures

12. By being specific with details, the writer is able to control what he
exactly wants the reader to see in his mind‟s eye.
Not specific : She appreciated the beauty of the
sampaguita in her mother‟s garden
Specific : Luisa‟s heart warmed upon seeing the
sampaguita‟s long stems coiling around the
trellis, white flowers perfuming the late
afternoon air in her mother‟s well-tended garden.

13. Making something lifeless or inert come alive with the
use of words that refer to living things has an effect on
the reader.
Inanimate : Leaves were on the floor.
Animate : Leaves lie on the floor.

14. Show what happened and don‟t merely tell about it.
Elaborate on a feature theme‟s important scene or event by
describing how the subject feels.
Tell : John was happy when he received his package.
Show : John, 8, excitedly opened the package from his
sponsor. His eyes lit up and a broad smile
appeared on his face. “I love the toys! They‟re
beautiful!” he said with a giggle.

15. Write a descriptive lead centered on the goings-on
at your town public market during Market day.

16. References:
Feature Writing from the lectures of Hazel P. Villa, Iloilo
City, Philippines
Feature Writing from the lecture of Eric T. Loretizo, PIA Region
6, Iloilo City