This slide contains Tips on how to be an effective feature writer and how to make a feature articles.

1. How to be an effective feature writer and
How to write feature articles.
Quennie P. Lessano

2. Feature Writing …
 Think of the feature story as a news story written like a piece
of short fiction.
 Readers would have to read the whole story to understand it.
 Feature article are not meant to deliver the news, but they
contain elements of news (5W’sH). Their main purpose is to
add the human element to the news, to add color and feeling.
They often recap major news that already has been reported.

3. Start Writing a Feature Article
 Feature articles are usually not written in the
traditional inverted pyramid form with a hard
news lead. As mentioned previously, people
usually have a little more time on their hands
when they read feature stories that gives the
writer the opportunity to bring the readers into
the story, to get them involved.

4. Feature Article News Article
CLIMAX
MOST
LEAST

5. Functions to:
 Humanize – written to hook the reader and draw him/her into
the story.
 Add Color – Interesting. Its job is to find a fresh angle.
 Educate – may present opinionated view. Emphasizes on facts
of human interests.
 Entertain – Often longer than a traditional news story that
makes the reader to think and care.
 Illuminate – May or may not be tied to a current event.

6. Types of Feature …
PERSONALITY PROFILES/ CHARACTER SKETCH
Detailed article of well-known personality.
Usually short and emphasize more on the person.
HUMAN INTEREST STORIES
Appeals to the emotion, arouses sympathetic
interest.

7. Types of Feature …
TREND STORIES
e.g. food, restaurant, jobs, music, fashion etc.
ANALYSIS STORIES
Digs deep into the fact and details of a story.
DESCRIPTION
Simple words/ Concrete words
Factual and Origin

8. Types of Feature …
NARRATIVES
Historical and not always adventure and experiences.
TRAVELOGUE
Adventures and experiences

9. Other Types …
Interview Article
Practical Guidance (How to)
Seasonal or Holiday Feature
Entertainment Article
Interpretative Feature

10. Qualities of a Good Feature Writer
1. Able to write
2. Creative
3. Has keen interest in life
4. Realizes that in every event there could be possible feature
story.
5. Willing to probe for feature stories beneath the surface of
everyday events.
6. Intellectually curious
7. Keen Observer

11. Steps in Writing a Feature Article
1. Pick your subject
2. Limit subject to a specific areas
3. Write a tentative title
4. Spot light the main things you aim to do in the future.
5. Pinpoint the highlights with specific details
6. Use the device and situations which will hold the reader’s
interest
7. Decide on your title

12. Choosing a Theme …
 Has the story been done before?
 Is the story of interest to the reader?
 Does the story have a holding power?
 What makes the story worthy to be reported?
 Is the theme answers the question,
“so what?”

13. The Substance of the Feature …
 Facts
 Quotes
 Description
 Anecdotes
 Opinions
 Analysis
 Pay-off/ conclusion

14. Feature Story Structure …
 BEGINNING = LEAD
* Start with a premise or a theme.
 MIDDLE = BODY/ STORY DEVELOPMENT
* Present information and opinions that back your
point.
 END = CONCLUSION
* Bring the reader to a close.

15. The Lead …
 The most important part.
 Entices your readers, hooks them in.
 Uses drama, emotion, quotations, questions and/or
description.
 Sets the tone
 Short sentence.

16. Attention – Getting Devices …
 Ask a questions
 Describe a scene
 Tell a brief story
 Present surprising or alarming statistics
 Riddle
 Onomatopoeia

17. Types of Leads to Avoid …
 TRITE DICTIONARY LEAD
“According to Webster’s dictionary…”
 DUMB DECLARATIVE LEAD
“It’s official…”
 WEIRD LINKAGE OR A TYPICAL LEAD
“What did Boris Karloff, Jane Fonda and Richard Nixon have in
common? Ring around the collar …” – WHO CARES ?
 THE UNIFORMATIVE QUESTION LEAD
Avoid asking questions that might provoke your readers to respond.

18. The Body …
 Background Information – brings the reader up-to-
date.
 The “thread” of the story – connects the introduction,
body and conclusion.
 Dialogue – gives strong mental images; keeps them
attached.
 Voice – the signature or personal style of the writer.

19. The Conclusion …
 While the lead draws the reader in, the
conclusion should be written to help the reader
remember the story.
 Will wrap up the story and come back to the lead,
often with a quotation or a surprising climax or
highest point.
 Unlike hard news stories, feature needs ending.
 Cutback or flashback to the introduction.

20. The End can be …
 A comment
 A concluding quote
 A question
 A summary of the article

21. Ate Queng’s Tips
…
Steps to
Develop
Feature Story

22. Step to Develop a Feature Story …
PREWRITING WRITING
REVISING
PROOFREADING

23. Step to Develop a Feature Story …
 PREWRITING
* Make an outline
Title: _____________
I. ___________ * Finding the story
A. __________
B. __________ * Gathering the information
1._______
2. _______ * Choose an angle
II. ____________
A. __________
B. ___________

24. Step to Develop a Feature Story …
WRITING
 Determine the organization
 Drafting the lead – use any quotation according to
the factsheet.
 Drafting the body with correct used of transitional
devices.
 Drafting the conclusion “icebreaker”
 Preparing the headline – found in the conclusion.

25. Step to Develop a Feature Story …
REVISING
* Are transitions sufficient to guarantee smooth reading
?
* Is my article is according to the topic ?
* Do I attract my reader’s attention?
* Am I satisfied ?

26. Step to Develop a Feature Story …
 PROOFREADING
Checking the details

27. Are you ready …?
Thank You for Watching…