Feature Writing

One who knows fully the art of fine writing in
all its dimensions.
 A journalist who not only can report facts,
but can transmit the mood and tone of an
event.
 who can impress upon the reader the
significance of what happens. Facts for
authority; mood and tone for sympathy;
interpretation for lucidity.
What is a Feature Writer?

 Inquisitive
 Eager to learn
 Sympathetic towards other people’s
feelings
 Capable of seeing beneath the
surface of ordinary events
Qualities of a Good Feature writer?

 Key function is to humanize, to add color,
to educate, to entertain, to illuminate
 As opposed to news stories, features are
generally believed to be more creative in
orientation.
 If news stories typically follow the “5W’s
and 1H format”, feature stories are
allowed—sometimes, even encouraged—to
deviate from this formula.
What is a Feature Story?

 Like news stories, feature stories are also
underpinned by factual detail and news sense—but
features are longer, more expansive and more
personal than news stories.
 It may or may not be tied to a current event
 Feature writers have more freedom to use their
own voice and incorporate their own personal
experiences. They can also include more sources,
background and context.

 Like news stories, feature stories are also
underpinned by factual detail and news sense—but
features are longer, more expansive and more
personal than news stories.
 Feature writers have more freedom to use their
own voice and incorporate their own personal
experiences. They can also include more sources,
background and context.

Straight News (Hard News) News Feature (Soft News)
More interesting facts
Point of Presumable
Interest
Lead
Body
Conclusion
Lead
Body
Conclusion
Most important facts
More important Facts
Least important facts
Primary/Most interesting facts
Least Important Facts
-Objective, Direct and Factual -Featurized and Subjective

The Lead
 The most important function of an introduction to a feature story is
that first, it needs to make the reader want to continue and, second,
it must explain what it is all about.
 Below are five questions that you can ask yourself when you are
trying to come up with the introduction to your feature story:
1. What is the most interesting fact?
2. What is the best anecdote?
3. What is the most sensational quote?
4. What is/ was the most surprising event?
5. What is the ‘did you know that . . ‘ factor?

1. Question Lead – asking the readers a question
 Do you like eating vegetables?
 What does a woman do when the most important person in her life
leaves her?
 MInsan ay nakapagtataka ang buhay. Para saan ba’t nabubuhay ang
tao? Para sa karangalan? Para sa pera? O para lamang magkaroon
ng hininga at mabuhay nang buong maghapon?
2. Exclamation Lead – The opening sentence by its very nature compels
attention
 Sink or swim!
3. Quotation Lead –The story begins with a quotation which will draw interest.
 “Gone are the days when children are only seen and never heard.”
 In John F. Kennedy’s words, “United there’s little we cannot do.
Divided, there’s little we can do.”
3. Descriptive Lead – This kind gives vivid description of a person, place or
situation so that the reader creates a mental picture of it.

5. Striking Statement – A short snappy statement set off
in a paragraph by itself.
 The boat people are here to stay.
 The convict hanged himself.
6. Contrast Lead – points out the opposites and
extremes
7. Narrative Lead –written in a form of narration
 The day started with a parade participated in by……
8. Summary Lead – sums up the subject of the feature
story
 Juan Dela Cruz supports his studies by cleaning the
animal cages in Manila Zoo.

 The body of the feature story must have unity,
coherence and emphasis.
 It must be able to hold and sustain the interest of
readers.
 In the body, the writer makes use of
descriptions, narrations, figures of speech,
idiomatic expressions, quotations, surveys,
statistics, interviews, incidents and anecdotes
that give color to the story.
The Body

 The end can be. . .
 A comment
 Arguing a case / drawing a conclusion
 A concluding quote
 A pointed question
 A summary of the article
The Conclusion

 Indeed, many of the devices used to start
your feature can also be used to end it.
 BUT it helps to: hold something significant
back and make a a connection with the
introduction just to tie up any loose ends.
The Conclusion
Whatever device you employ, use your imagination. Be sure you
come up with something for the readers to remember.


1. Choose an interesting subject.
2. Narrow down your subject to just one specific
area or sub-topic. Think of a fresh angle to
the topic.
3. Give it a tentative title.
4. Prepare your outline.
5. Highlight the important things you wish to
feature.
6. Focus on the main or most important feature
with specific details. Use data gathered from
interviews, surveys, researches or personal
experiences.
How to Write a Feature Story?

7. Use devices such as figures of speech,
idiomatic expressions, quotations and the like
in order to give color to the feature and hold
the interest of the readers.
8. Read what you have written paying attention
to what should be added or omitted.
8. Rewrite your piece.
9. Give it a catchy head or title.
10. Make the final copy.
How to Write a Feature Story?

1. Creativity
 Creative but must be anchored on data gathered
not merely on the imagination.
2. Human Interest
3. Factual Content
 Informs the reader of the situation, event or
aspect of life which might not have been covered by
hard news.
4. Entertainment Value
5. Timelessness or Imperishability
 Feature stories can be had for weeks or months
without losing their usefulness unlike news stories
which get stale as soon as they are told.

6. Entirety
 Stories are read in their entirety so the writer can
place the highest point at the end.
7. Variety of Tone and Style
 Feature stories rarely begin with a summary lead.
 The writer can use novelty leads and employ any
treatment suitable to his material.
8. Organization
 Features apply the principles of creative writing to
achieve unity, coherence and emphasis.

1. Unity (Kaisahan)
-having a central theme or main idea carried
throughout the article
2. Coherence (Kaugnayan)
-bridging the transition from each paragraph to
the next easily and smoothly
3. Emphasis (Diin)
- avoiding abrupt changes of thought
4. Interest (Kawilihan)
Cardinal Principles in Writing Features

 Remember that a feature is not a news story, though it
may be built around it.
 A feature usually tackles the idea of ‘going behind /
underneath the news’.
 It is important to know the style, content and readership
of the newspaper/ magazine you are aiming at/ writing for.
 Remember that feature writing has a visual
dimension: feature writers have ‘the biggest eyes’ in
journalism.
 Time: there is usually a much longer deadline for
features due to production schedules, etc. Some
magazines start preparing features about two months
in advance.

 Facts
 Quotes
 Description
 Anecdotes
 Opinions
 Analysis
 Pay off / conclusion - reward for the
reader persevering until the end.

 Informative Feature
-usually based on interview or taken from research
materials
Possible topics: drug menace, starvation in Negros,
street children of Metro Manila, unemployment
problem, current issues
 Human Interest Feature
-deals with minor incidents that may deserve
attention because of dramatic, humorous, tragic,
sensational or odd angles of the story.
- basically appeals to the emotion
-based on people, their (life) stories; not
necessarily famour personalities

 News Feature (Issue-based)
-usually based on a recent event that is of
interest to the public
 How-to-Feature
-gives information on the process of doing
things and how certain products are made.
Example: The art of making whiskey
 Trend stories
- Document a trend in society i.e
food/restaurants, jobs, music, fashion

 Personality Sketch
- -profiles a person
-reveals the character of the subject by
recounting the way he talks or acts or what
others think of him.
Popular choices for personality sketches:
Celebrities like actors, actresses, singers,
models, beauty titlists
 Personal experience
-it’s an unusual experience, usually written
in the first person.

 Humorous Feature
- If one of the more important functions of a
feature story is to entertain , then nothing
entertains more than a story with wit and humor.
When names matter
There was a time when it was popular to add Maria to a
girl’s name. It was not enough to name a girl simply as Lourdes
or Carmen. She had to be named Maria Lourdes or Marilou or
Maria Carmen or Marichu. I have a niece who was baptized
Maria Isabel and we call her Mais.
By Fred de la Rosa

 Interpretative Feature
-instructs, informs and clarifies to the
reader the background and significance of
social, economic, political and other
problems of everyday life.
 Seasonal or Holiday Feature
-includes subjects such as events
celebrated at least once a year or during
the season like New Year, Christmas,
Independence Day, Father’s Day, etc.

 Travelogue
-An account of one’s travel experiences and
a vivid description of the place visited.
- new places of interest

Luneta, shall we say goodbye?
Descriptive/
Informative
Luneta, as far as our Lolas and Lolos can remember, has been a favorite
park of almost everyone. The grand folks who take their late afternoon stroll and
wind up at the open air stage for the “Concert at the Park” have many sentimental
tales
to tell.

My first beauty contest
Personal
Experience

Eight easy ways to smash
fatigue
How-To-Do-It
Feature

Beth of the People
Personality
Sketch
Beth a newly elected councilor of 6th
District of Manila was born on…

George, he’s a hero!
By Emilyn Martinez
IT IS “natural” for women to be lavanderas if that is
the best thing that they can do for a living, but have
you heard of a guy who does laundry to support his
family? Well, there is such an unusual guy in our
school.
Human Interest Feature

Pagdalaw sa Lawa ng Bulusan
Ni Perlegio Paderes
Mataas na Paaralan ng Samar
Unang Gantimpala, NSPC 1993
KUNG sinasabing ang pluma ay higit ha pakapangyarihan kaysa anumang snadata, sa
pluma man ay may higit pang makapangyarihan. Ito ang ganda ng kalikasan.
Kahanga-hanga, makapitlag-puso, makalangit, kapita-pitagan at walang pinag-iwan sa
isang tunay na paraiso. Ito ang Lawa ng Bulusan, lawa para sa sinumang nilalang na
ibig mapag-isa upang lasapin ang biyaya ng tunay na katahimikan sa buhay o dili
naman kaya’y upang lunasan ang hapdi ng puso sa pamamagitan ng walang sawang
pagmasid sa mapang-aliw at masaganang kagandahan ng buong pusong inihain ng
kalikasan.
Descriptive/Informative

Tomorrow
By Pamela Joy Go, AdI-SMCS
· First Prize masterpiece, DSPC 2002
· Theme: Environmental Problems
HEAL the world,
Make it a better place
For you and for me
And the entire human race
There are people dying,
If you care enough for the living
Make a better place
For you and for me
I could only stare at the third-grade pupils as they interpret this Michael Jackson classic
for their presentation during the flag ceremony. They seem to be so full of life, so
vibrant. Nothing in this world could seem to break the unbeatable character they have
glowing brightly inside them.
I sigh as my thoughts fall on the degrading society that we are having now. How long
will these naïve tots have the overwhelming spirit in them? How will they manage to
smile?
Look around you, human. What do you see? The pressing issues concerning the
destruction of Mother Earth is too real…too hard to ignore.

 One of the oldest and still one of the best
devices to arouse interest is to tie an
article to a “news peg,” an event recently
reported by newspaper or radio network.
 Tales of adventure are always interesting
to the readers.
 The feature writer must also make use of
“playing up” one angle, contrast for
popularizing situations, and
personification for humanizing purposes.
Other Devices in Feature Writing

 Importance of re-reading the article
several times
 Check that the style is appropriate for
your purpose.
 Check your grammar and the length of your
sentences and paragraphs. Don’t be
ashamed to use a style guide, dictionary
and thesaurus.

 It would be a good idea to read your article
three times to check for the “Three F’s” of
feature writing:
 Flow
 Fairness - how those involved are portrayed
 Facts - making sure that these are accurate

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

Example:
“We happily hopped out the truck…”
 “[The rain] waltzed with the wind!”
 “Nothing super specific. Nothing deadly demanding.
Nothing surprisingly strange.”
 “The only things duplicated close to reality were our
smiles exuding excitement.”
 “…it could mean a warm welcome, a bubbly
birthday greeting, a great gratitude, a crowning
congratulations, a friendly farewell…”
using several words
that begin with the
same or similar
consonants

The tone of your piece is vital. Sprinkling
some rhymes will make the feature more
readable. But be aware not to overdo it, or
your write-up will end up as a poem.
Example:
“So, you better be there in the flesh and feel
the blood come up your head!”
word sounding same
as another

The Figures of Speech is an effective tool in
enhancing you feature writing. Make use of them
frequently.
Example:
Simile:
“My abdomen began to itch like ants infesting it.”
“[The showers were ] like pure, wet silk gently wiping my
forehead down to my chin.”
“…smoothly swinging like a fine golden lace.”
simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole.

“Saying that somebody is a snake.”
Personification:
“…colorful and transparent stripes rested upon
the green leaves of a petite coconut
tree; almost kissing the ground.”
“…allowed the [rain] showers tickle my tired
face.”
“I am amazed by the electronic box
that swallowed up my one-dollar fare…”
Metaphor:
the use to describe somebody or something of a word
or phrase that is not meant literally but by means of a
vivid comparison expresses something about him, her,
or it
the attribution of human qualities to
objects or abstract notions

Hyperbole:
[The waves ] really were overwhelming, they
could swallow a mountain.
“[The leis] almost drowned my face.”
deliberate and obvious
exaggeration used for effect

Use pronouns, synonyms of words, or alternative
description/terms.
 Example:
 (to avoid too much usage of “rainbows”)
 “They say that at the end of a rainbow rests a pot of
gold. It was only in Hawaii where I have seen the literal
end of those mysterious bows of colors. It was morning
when I was strolling down the campus
of BYUH when colorful and transparent
stripes...Surprisingly, those perfect bows across the
Hawaiian sky at times come with another, equally
exquisite!”
 (to avoid too much usage of “Aloha”)
 “These are the things “Aloha” is famous for; but I learned
that this sweet five-letter word means more than a
greeting; even more than an expression of love — the
“Ha” in it means “the breath of life.” “Aloha” is more than a
mere word or a simple greeting. It is love; it is life, it is
also the spirit of a supreme being.”

 (to avoid too much usage of “scratch” and
its forms)
 My abdomen began to itch like ants infesting
it; and scratching was a no-no. At times I just
can’t fight the strong urge to run my nails up
and down my belly.
 (to avoid too much usage of “cry” and its
forms)
 “…I suddenly woke up howling in pain…My
screams and cries got him carried away, he
didn’t know what to do. Without any tinge of
exaggeration, the bawling didn’t stop…”

 Example:
 “No morning
sickness. No dizziness. No nausea.”
 “It is love; it is life, it is also the spirit of a
supreme being.”

Possibilities are almost unlimited; you could even
make up your own.
 Example:
 “…zit-free skin people noticed it.
 “Dancing the enchanting hula, on the other hand is a
very relaxing and love-filled experience.”
 “…caught helpless in a car-clogged road.”
 “That clearly explains the y-shaped gesture.”
 “…this sweet five-letter word means more than a
greeting.”
 “…a self-controlled giggle with a kid-like rubbing of
feet on the bed.”
 “The robotic, close-to-human voice of the bus still
runs through my head.”

from a one-word sentence to simple, compound,
complex, and compound complex sentences.
 Example:
 “No morning sickness. No dizziness. No nausea. My
practitioner said, “Good for you.” Indeed; it was a
blessing. No early and unwanted signs of the first
trimester. I wanted and needed to work. Otherwise I’ll
be as bedridden, immobilized, and could possibly be
hospitalized as how my Mother was when she was
conceiving me.”
 “My bulge began to show; people stared at it and I wasn’t
used to it, I wore a jacket. Awkward.”
 “Later I realized the irony: the person who bought me my
first craving for my first baby was my student, instead of
my husband! Funny. My emotions, as well, got the most
of me. It was a bit unusually intolerable.”

 Example:
 “It was a site both beautiful and dreadful.”
 “…stretching our hands out pointing at
the furious yet flaunting sea.”

 (even in narrative features, let them see and actually
imagine what you have written)
 Example:
 “Gray, coarse sand; non-exhilarating waves; and murky
shore; that’ how beaches looked like to me until I had my
first plunge into the Hawaiian waters — white, fine sand;
thrill-filled waves; and clear, blue waters.”
 “The first sight of the azure sky, crystal-clear waters,
boosted by the calm kiss of fresh air and the soothing
touch of the non-scorching sun, made us charge the
tempting sea!”
 “…we inevitably panicked holding our heads as high as
we could; with lips firmly closed to avoid swallowing
saltwater

 Example:
 happy = joyful, blissful
 sad = gloomy, cheerless
 beautiful = stunning, striking
 funny = amusing, hilarious
 If unfamiliar or too uncommon words are
inevitable, make sure to inject context clues for
your reader’s better comprehension.
 If using elementary words can not be avoided,
use it with purpose — to avoid redundancy, or
merely stating/describing a simple idea.

 Example:
 “The kid was blissful because he saw his missing
pencil.”
 “Blissful” connotes a feeling deeper than
“happiness.” The thought of the sentence doesn’t
require a very strong feeling of gladness. Hence,
“blissful” is inappropriate.
 “The kid was cheerful because he saw his missing
pencil,” is more appropriate.
 Another Example:
 “The clown was funny; I laughed my heart out.”
 The sentence’s idea was more than a “funny clown.”
“Funny” is not enough to express the full meaning of
the line.
 “The clown was hilarious; I laughed my heart out,” is
better.

- you could actually make up your own words!
 (make sure it has context clues and simply
logical, comprehensible to your readers,
not compromising good grammar).
 “…*swelling with pain, a few touch or
movement, even the pull of
gravity ouched me.”

1. Describe vividly your seatmate in a two-sentence paragraph.
2. You are the feature editor of your school paper. This morning
while you were on your way to school, you saw a Grade 4 pupil
helping an old woman cross the street. Fourth year boys, who
were playing nearby saw the old woman but did not care to help
her.
3. Write a short (at most five paragraphs) feature article about
abortion. It doesn’t matter if you are for or against it. What is
important is you remain factual yet entertaining, convincing and
informative. Provide your own title. Show your work to your
group mates.

Mary Queen T. Bernardo
Teacher III
San Jose National Agricultural and Industrial High School

Feature Writing

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