Writing a feature news article

1. Writing a featurenewsarticle By Omie Drawhorn

2. Two styles of newspaper articles • Hard news • Features

3. What is a feature article? • Usually more “light” reading. • Can be about arts, entertainment, lifestyles, human interest story • A feature, or soft news story, tries to entertain or advise the reader

4. Feature stories offer the writer more of a chance to be creative with their style. • It is usually focused on a person or group of people rather than an event.

5. Lead paragraphs • The opening paragraph of an article. • It should draw the reader into the article, make them want to continue reading. • It can be the most interesting detail that stands out to the writer, a story, or something that sets the scene.

6. Examples • “You won't mistake them for Aspen, but Mt. Hood Skibowl and Government Camp have taken on a more glamorous look and still provide lots of winter fun.” Mt. Hood Skibowl first to grab skiers, boarders off U.S. 26 at Government Camp- Nov. 5, The Oregonian

7. “In her 10 years as a Portlander, Carrie Brownstein has been many things: a guitarist, an actress, a blogger, an advertising writer, a dog trainer and, most recently, the creator of a TV series. But she wants to make it clear she has never, ever, been a typical Portland driver.” Willamette Week, “Mock Star”

8. What comes next? • Get to the nutgraph- a sentence or two which explains the point of the story. • It can include the Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

9. Now what? • Use quotes. What did the source (person you interviewed) say during the interview? • Use details and description. Set the scene for the reader. What do you see, smell, hear? How does it add to the story? What details can you add that describe more about the person or issue?

10. Wrap it up • End with a quote that sums up the story.