Writing the Feature Article

1. Writing the Feature Article Journalism Ms. Guerin

2. Contrasts with “straight” news story • News story tells what happened • Feature says how and why it happened (so can a news article, but in less depth) • Feature says how people involved are reacting • Feature discusses impact the news has on others • “bounces off story” – Knight 97

3. Features are generally longer than news articles • A feature usually has more “color” and human interest than a straight news article • A feature differs from a news analysis in that it tends to focus more on people than on “dry” information. • Features are often the most accessible parts of a newspaper. • Features sound like good fiction. • Journalists like Tracy Kidder have written nonfiction in a journalistic style.

4. Characteristics of sample features • Knight pp. 98-99 - sports feature • Begins w/ anecdote as lede – action verbs – context unclear at first • Introduces the drama within a news story (gold medal winner) • Fleshing out a main character in a news story • Includes bits of history as background – ex: world record, “once thought untouchable”

5. Each paragraph “moves the story along” • Leaves something unfinished • Creates suspense • Adds a layer to the story – ex. Widens circle of relevant people, expands time period.

6. Lengthening a feature article • Knight pp. 100-101 • Introduce a subplot • Ex: discussing Olympic Jamaican team’s female members’ achievements in the middle of an article about a male member’s achievements. • Brings the story back to the main character

7. Your examples? (hw)