Feature writing
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This document defines a feature as a creative, subjective article designed to both entertain and inform readers about an event or aspect of life. It discusses the key elements of features, including creativity, subjectivity, entertainment value, and being informative. The document outlines that features are long-form journalistic pieces found in newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other media. Features require research and description, cover topics in-depth through reflective thought, and have novelty leads that hook readers into the story. While not reporting on breaking news, features penetrate deeper into subjects using techniques like dialogue, voice, and wrapping up the story through its conclusion.
Feature writing
- 1. Rida Munir Butt Saba Ijaz Misbah Bahadur centreformediaandcommunicationstudies universityofGujrat
- 2. Definition: “A special article in a newspaper, magazine or a part of television, radio broadcast that deals with a particular subject”.
- 3. What is Feature? A feature is a creative, sometimes subjective article, designed primarily to entertain and to inform readers about an event, situation, and any aspect of life.
- 4. Elements of above statement • Creativity: • Subjectivity: • Entertainment • Informative • Imperishable
- 5. So feature stories are: • Feature stories are popular content elements of newspapers, magazines, blogs, websites, newsletter, TV broadcast and other media.
- 6. • Feature stories are journalistic researched, description, colorful, thoughtful reflective through about original ideas.
- 9. • Are factual and require reporting • May or may not be timely. • The form and style must be according to the contents and purpose • Have novelty leads
- 10. • Mention keynotes in the opening sentences • Feature stories cover topic in-depth • doesn’t mean to report recent breaking news • Features are generally longer • penetrates deeper in the subject.
- 11. Feature Writing • Does not have to be written in the inverted pyramid format • Written to hook the reader and draw them into the story
- 14. • Human interest story: • Personal experience feature: • Character Sketch or Profile: • Service feature or “how to”: • Historical Features:
- 15. • Behind the scenes: • Seasonal Themes: • Developmental feature: • Featurettes • Travel stories
- 19. • Features are not only restricted to print media • There are also found audio and video features
- 20. Sources of feature • Personalities • Commemorations
- 21. • Social and cultural sources • Science and technology
- 22. • History • Psychological factors • Investigative stories • Policies • Electronic • Social subjects
- 25. …. • Efficiently composed information • Fact based • Keen observation and interest • Consider the demand of reader • Entertain and inform as well • Written off-the-cuff • Divergence • Human interest
- 26. • Lead must be impressive • Positive approach • Critical view of topic • Form and content must be suitable to topic • Literary touch • Style • Defined conclusion • Be visual
- 27. • Brainstorm idea • What’s the purpose? • Research the topic. • Grab the reader’s attention • Keep that attention • Leave an impression.
- 28. • Topic • Who are your readers? • What do your readers already know? • What do your readers need to know? • Write a theme for your story.
- 29. Choosing the Theme • Has the story been done before? • Is the story of interest to the audience? • Does the story have holding power (emotional appeal)? • What makes the story worthy of being reported? • The theme answers the question, "So what?"
- 30. • The “So What” paragraph • Usually in the third or fourth paragraph • Explains the reason the story is being written
- 31. Writing the Lead • A summary may not be the best lead • A lead block of one or two paragraphs often begins a feature • Rather than put the news elements of the story in the lead, the feature writer uses the first two or three paragraphs to set a mood, to arouse readers, to invite them inside
- 32. Body of the Feature • Provides vital information while it educates, entertains, and emotionally ties an audience to the subject • Important components include: – Background information – The “thread” of the story – Dialogue – Voice
- 33. Background Information • A paragraph or two of background should be placed high in the story to bring the audience up to date
- 34. Background Information • A paragraph or two of background should be placed high in the story to bring the audience up to date
- 35. The “Thread” of the Story • Connect the beginning, body and conclusion of the story • Because a feature generally runs longer than a news story, it is effective to weave a thread throughout the story, which connects the lead to the body and to the conclusion • This thread can be a single person, an event or a thing, and it usually highlights the theme
- 36. Dialogue • May be used to keep a story moving • In feature reporting, it must be accurate • Can give readers strong mental images and keep them attached to the writing and to the story’s key players
- 37. Establish A Voice • The "signature" or personal style of each writer • Voice is the personality of the writer and can be used to inject color, tone, and subtle emotional commentary into the story. • Voice should be used subtly
- 38. Wrapping it Up • The ending will wrap up the story and come back to the lead, often with a quotation or a surprising climax. • Often, a feature ends where the lead started, with a single person or event.
- 39. •Writing is a process •Writing requires discipline • writing is building Finally … sit down and write……….
- 40. That’s what all we have ……. 03/11/2012 Feature writing