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The ten commandments of feature writing

Medill School of Journalism Prof. Bob McClory. The ten commandments of feature writing. 1. Thou Shalt Think Small. Zero in on a very narrow topic or a tiny slice of a big one. Concentrate on one blade of grass, not the whole lawn; on one soldier, not the army .

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The ten commandments of feature writing

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  1. Medill School of Journalism Prof. Bob McClory The ten commandments of feature writing

  2. 1. Thou Shalt Think Small • Zero in on a very narrow topic or a tiny slice of a big one. • Concentrate on one blade of grass, not the whole lawn; on one soldier, not the army

  3. 2. Outline before thou Writest • Create a structure or framework on which to hang the pieces. • Divide the information into bite-sized nuggets and carefully nurture your transitions.

  4. 3. Thou Shall Be Consistent • Maintain the same voice, perspective, mood and tense all the way through • Do not change costumes in the middle of the play or your audience will depart

  5. 4. Honor Thy Leads • Construct a lead that arouses interest and gives some idea as to the direction and tone of the story • Seek a central contrast or comparison which can unify your tale

  6. 5. Thou Shalt Fashion Classy Word Images • Eschew abstract articulations. Learn to describe people and places. • Paint a word picture for the telling details: • The little memorable word or phrase that nicely sums up what you’re talking about. Seek metaphors and similes.

  7. 6. Use Quotes Respectfully • Avoid long rambling quotes. • As with inverted pyramid stories, quotes are the raisin in your bread and the cream in your coffee. Use them judiciously and accurately.

  8. 7. Cleave Unto Anecdotes • If you can tell a story, DO SO. • Don’t tell what the lawyer thinks; show how her thinking affected the way she argued the case in court last week.

  9. 8. Be Ye Prepared to Suffer • Quality feature articles require a dedication to the subject and a persistence which the hard news reporter hath never dreamed of. • CARE!!!!!!

  10. 9. Thou Shalt Not Cheat • Resist the temptation to manufacture dialogue or invent anonymous sources to make interesting and amusing points. • THE TRUTH IS NOT IN THEM! (We’ll all know!!)

  11. 10. JUST DO IT! • Wait not for the muse, for she is far off Samaria. • Delayed, over-researched writing is as dangerous as that which comes from hasty, superficial reporting. Learn to deliver ON TIME.

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