FEATURE WRITINGFEATURE WRITING

Key discussions

1. What is a feature / definitions2. Key characteristics of features writing3. Different types of features - newspapers,

magazines, online4. How to structure and organise features5. Examples & Initial Planning

What is a feature: some definitions

• Underpinned by factual detail and news sense but- Longer, more expansive and more personal than

news reporting

• More freedom to use own voice, personal experience.

• More sources, background and context

What is a feature: some definitions

• “ features have more comment, analysis, colour, background and a greater diversity of sources than news stories and explore a number of issues at greater depth.”

(Richard Keeble, Print Journalism 2001: 141)

Key characteristicsFeature writing is often marked out

by:

– Colour : small details adding life to writing– Observation : description of people/ events– Opinion / slant: writer or publication’s worldview– Quotes: most features draw on original material/

sources– Narrative: story telling– Dialogue / Debate: discussion / argument– Context: scene setting

Other considerations

• Idea of ‘going behind / underneath the news’• “ fluff” - often dismissed as such.• Importance of knowing the style, content of the

newspaper/ magazine you are aiming at/ writing for.

• Visual dimension: feature writers have ‘the biggest eyes in journalism’

• Time : there is usually a much longer deadline for longer features due to production schedules, etc.

Some types of feature writing• Issue based : canvassing views on one particular aspect

of a subject.• Human interest : based on people, their (life) stories.

Not necessarily famous/ personalities.• Eye witness reporting: embedded journalism - being

part of an event - detailing it.• Personality/ Celebrity Journalism: choice of subject

down to their status, public awareness.• Profiles : detailed article on well-known/ interesting

characters in the field.• Trends: food/ restaurants, jobs, music, fashion etc

Some types of feature writing• All of these types of feature work across different areas of

newspaper coverage:– News / Politics / Leaders / Columns– Arts– Sport– Business– Technology– Travel

• Features writers tend to specialise - though good writers can move between different fields

• Recent moves by (broadsheet) newspapers to compartmentalise much of their features writing in supplements, magazines, etc

EXAMPLES:ENTERTAINMENTFEATURES

Examples: Fashion and Beauty

Example: Profile Writing

• Popular form of a feature in newspapers and magazines. Not always of individuals.– Readers are curious about other people and their

lifestyles, opinions, etc.– Journalists find them fun to write and can be a

useful way of building contacts– Editors and publishers find them regular, cost-

effective space-fillers.– Subjects often flattered by attention.

Example: Profile Writing

• Profiles also fall into a number of categories:– Short, news-story related.– A person’s views on a current issue(s)– Longer overview of a person’s life– Question and answer profiles– Angled, special focus profiles.– Profiles of couples, families, friends, etc.

• Danger of profiles being controlled by PR industry (e.g. celebrity magazines)

How to write a feature: Planning

• Planning and Research:– Organising interviews - access to subjects often

controlled by PR companies– Accessing background material - press cuttings,

other interviews, listening to music, watching films/ programmes, etc.

– Deciding on the tone/ angle of piece - often dictated by publication it’s for.

Introduction and Conclusion• Most important parts of a feature are introduction and

conclusion.• A Feature must have a clear beginning, middle and

end.• Needs to have a focus.• Introduction can adopt a number of styles:– News-report style.– A quote– A question– A personal observation or anecdote

• It needs to make the reader want to continue and explain what it is about.

Introduction

• Some other devices: comment, description of a look, phone call, memory/ recollection, journey, arrival, etc.

• 5 questions which might help get a feature started:– What is the most interesting fact?– What is the best anecdote?– What is the most sensational quote?– What is/ was the most surprising event?– What is the ‘did you know that . . ‘ factor?

The Substance of the feature

• Facts• Quotes• Description• Anecdotes• Opinions• Analysis• Pay off / conclusion - reward for reader

persevering until the end.

The end (of the feature)

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

• Indeed, many of the devices used to start it - BUT it helps to:– Hold something significant back and...– Make a connection with the introduction

And one last thing. . .

– Importance of re-reading the article several times– Check that the style is appropriate for your

publication - for example,• Past or present tense• Use of first person• Assumed knowledge• Length of sentences and paragraphs• Technicalities - abbreviations, numbers, etc

– Don’t be ashamed to use style guide, dictionary and thesaurus.

The next stage

• Get someone else’s opinion (not another journalist)

• Check:– Flow– Fairness - how those involved are portrayed– Facts - making sure that these are accurate

• Submit your article for subbing/ editing!• Await publication.

Summary

• Feature writing takes many forms across newspapers and magazines.

• Equally there are a number of approaches - the key is to develop a style of your own that matches the publication you work for – your target press and audience.

• Importance of structure, coherence, focus and themes.• Even greater importance goes to a strong introduction

and conclusion.• Trial and error - it often requires writing bad features

to be able to write good ones.

Remember: Feature stories are descriptive and full of detail.

• Feature stories generally have a strong narrative line. • Feature stories have a strong lead that grabs readers and makes them want to read on. • Feature stories often depend on interviews. • Feature stories include quotations from the person(s) involved. • Feature stories combine facts and opinion, with a focus on the human interest side of the story. While they can report news, the news content is

not of primary importance. • Feature stories both educate and entertain. They can include colourful detail as well as humour. • Feature stores contain the voice of the writer.

Assignment

• Get into small groups• Each group will be given an area in a

newspaper – you are now their feature editors

• Your group must come up with a feature for that part of the newspaper – you must show the planning stage (including the brain storming, why you have chosen it etc, your research), the final product (present your feature to the class)

AREAS TO CHOOSE FROM

• Motoring• Gardening• Family• Health• Food and Drink• Travel• Sport• Culture