Feature writing...................................

Feature writing

1. FEATURE WRITING Stories based on facts

2. What are feature stories? Feature stories are human-interest articles that focus on particular people, places and events. Feature stories are journalistic, researched, descriptive, colorful, thoughtful, reflective, thorough writing about original ideas. Feature stories cover topics in depth, going further than mere hard news coverage by amplifying and explaining the most interesting and important elements of a situation or occurrence. Feature stories are popular content elements of newspapers, magazines, blogs, websites, newsletters, television broadcasts and other mass media.

3. Purpose of a Feature Article T o i n f orm T o e xplain T o anal y z e T o advi s e T o pe r suade T o e n t er t ain Feature articles have a more general focus than hard news articles, and do not go out of date after one day.

4. Feature Article or News?

5. F e a tu r es: Active voice Short paragraphs (1 or 2 sentences) Emotive and descriptive language Personality, flavor and style Precise and colorful words

6. Types of Features News Feature . This is some kind of a news event but the story goes deeper than a news item as more background information and related details are presented and expounded on. Character Sketch or Profile . This article features a person, popular or not, rich or poor, but has done something worth publishing or is currently engaged in an interesting or profitable endeavor. Human Interest : The best-known kind of feature story is the human-interest story that discusses issues through the experiences of another.

7. Types of Features Personal experience feature : This emanates not only from earth shaking experiences like riding an airplane that was hijacked but also even from ordinary experiences that happen everyday. How-To : These articles help people learn by telling them how to do something. Historical Features : These features commemorate important dates in history or turning points in our social, political and cultural development.

8. Types of Features Informative Feature : This is an article that gives information and is entertaining at the same time. Travel Stories : These articles are accounts of one's travel experience and vivid descriptions of places visited. 9 . Hi s t ori c al c omm e mo r at e Features : These features i mpor t a n t d at es i n hi s t o r y or turning points in our social, political and cultural development. They offer a useful juxtaposition of then and now.

9. Types of Features Seasonal Themes : Stories about holidays and the change of seasons address matters at specific times of a year. Behind the Scenes : Inside views of unusual occupations, issues, and events give readers a feeling of penetrating the inner circle or being a mouse in a corner. Humorous features : The primary objective of a feature story is to entertain, and making people laugh is the most fitting way to entertain.

10. A successful feature article has: A Catchy Headline Grabs the audience's attention and persuades them to read on Highlights the main ideas of the article Byline Expands on the title Tells us who wrote the article

11. A successful feature article has: Lead (a.k.a introduction ) -This is the most important part of the feature article.

12. Different Types of Leads Question lead : poses a question to the reader. They must read on if they want to find the answer e.g. 'How many of you would have the courage to enter an inferno? Would you change your mind if your child was inside?‘ “What makes Manny Pacquiao into a global icon?”

13. Different Types of Leads Quotation lead :“We knew right there that he was different, that there was something about him,” Rechelle Tolinero, a faculty of the Development Communication Department at Xavier University, said that she first met Rusty Quintana on that day for an interview for a scholarship grant. Rusty was wearing his best clothes that day though his best was an almost tattered shirt and faded pants. He did not cut his hair for a while and his thick kinky hair stood out.

14. Different Types of Leads Anecdote lead : uses a short account of a humorous experience e.g. 'Sweat dripped off my face. My new shirt was torn. I was breathing hard. At age 10, I had just won my first fight.'

15. Different Types of Leads Descriptive lead : focuses on what it feels like to be at an event by highlighting sights, smells, etc that evoke clear images. e.g.Nostalgic thoughts of a man in muscle fit shirt and baggy pants were replaced with a woman in her stilettos and crimson lips flying in her freshly- bloomed wings.

16. Different Types of Leads Surprise lead : an opening with opposites or differences e.g. Sally is 14 years old. She lives in suburban Brisbane and goes to a wealthy private girls' school. Sally's father is a doctor and her mother is a lawyer with one of Queensland's major firms. Last year Sally met a man in a local park and was brutally harassed. She met the man on the internet. “The last man standing is a woman.”

17. Different Types of Leads Suspense lead : an open-ended beginning e.g. It's late. The parents have gone to bed. In the front room the computer screen glows and a 13 year old girl is on MSN. She is talking to a stranger. “The only thing Manny lacks to be considered as the best boxer ever is…”

18. Different Types of Leads Contrast lead: an opening with opposites or differences e.g. A colorful and glossy wrapper, a sturdy box, and a ribbon that securely enclose something along with the deepest thoughts and care of the sender inside – a perfect gift that can surely bring bliss to the receiver but not unless that present reached him with the box already tattered, and wrappers hanging from the sides because it already went in the wrong hands.

19. Different Types of Leads Figurative Lead – an opening figure of speech e.g. Walang halos hindi nakakakilala kay Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte. Popular ang alkalde dahil sa malakamay na bakal na pamamalakad niya sa kaniyang lungsod. Minsan na siyang tinagurian ng Time Magazine na “The Punisher,” dahil na rin sa kaniyang masidhing kampanya laban sa krimen.

20. Different Types of Leads Expert Lead – an opening quote from expert “Thanks to Pia, I realize our own neutral accent is just as beautiful and unique,” writes Bayani S. Cruz.

21. A successful feature article has: Body Expand the body with: facts and statistics personal viewpoints sub-headings (optional) opinions from authorities and experts quotes and interviews anecdotes and stories specific names/places/dates photos/diagrams etc. Y ou r bod y mu s t include a tear away (a part of the article that is repeated in a larger font)

22. Body of the Feature Background information A paragraph or two of background should be placed high in the story to bring the audience up to date 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

23. Body of the Feature 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

24. A successful feature article has: Things good transitions do: repeat a word, phrase or idea that has been used in the paragraph immediately before use cohesive devices: undoubtedly, similarly, in spite of this, conversely, alternatively, consequently, meanwhile Transitions – A transition is when one paragraph moves smoothly to the next one Don't forget the PE E L pa r ag r aph structure: P- oint E- xplain E - v i dence L- ink

25. A successful feature article has: Kicker (a.k.a conclusion) In the kicker you will: Summarize your ideas Link back to the headline You could finish on a quote that emotionally encapsulates the story, a rhetorical question, or something humorous. The kicker should be memorable! Don't be so impatient - edit and proof-read your work. This can make a big difference to your mark

26. Types of Ending 1. A summary of the whole article MAKINIG ka sa dalubhasa: ang paninigarilyo ay lubhang masama s a k alusu g a n. Maar i ng maturingan kang tunay na lalaki dahil sa paninigarilyo mo, subalit hindi tatagal ang buhay mo upang mapatunayan mo ang iyong pagkalalaki.

27. Types of Ending 2. An announcement of the main point for the first time THEREFORE, a major part of the d e v e l opme n t c ommun i c a tions effort should be directed at strengthening the character of the people and developing in them moral values, particularly by self- discipline, self-reliance, strength of character, and fortitude.

28. Types of Ending 3. A question left in the reader’s mind ANG KAMAY ng makabagong Pilipino ay handang marumihan. Pinaiikot niya ang gulong ng pangkaunlaran. Iwina-wagayway niya ang bandila ng kalayaan— kalayaan laban sa paghihikahos, at kalayaan sa kamangmangan.

29. Types of Ending 4. Suggested results or significance LET US conserve our forests now if we want to save the future of our country and of our children.

30. Types of Ending 5. A forecast or prophecy IN SIX-AND-A-HALF centuries from now, if population explosion would not be checked, there would be one person standing on every square foot of land on earth. By that time, people would be devouring one another for there would be no more space for plants to grow.

31. Types of Ending 6. A repetition of the introduction e.g. Nevertheless, for long time I didn’t know whether to take that as a compliment or as an insult but now after hearing Pia Wurtzbach as Miss Universe I prefer to believe it was a compliment. Sadly, a lot of Pinoys think our English will be better only if we can have an American or British accent. Now, thanks to Pia, I realize our own neutral accent is just as beautiful and unique.

32. Types of Ending 7. A repetition of a sentence or slogan, or a reference to the title AFTER four years of working as a houseboy, working during the day and going to school at night, Jose Bonifacio will soon graduate as a first honor student. Now, who says that poverty is a hindrance to education? (The title of the feature article is “Poverty, not a hindrance.”)

33. Types of Ending 8. An appropriate quotation NESTOR claims that he is poor. But when asked why he gave his last centavo to the old man, he answered: “Not what we give, but what we share For the gift, without the giver is bare, Who gives himself with his alms feeds three Himself, his hungering neighbor and me.”

34. Il l u s trations Every story is illustrated, usually with one or more photographs, but the art can be drawings, paintings, sketches, video or machinima, colorful graphs and charts, or other creative expressions depending on the medium for which the feature is packaged for dissemination.

35. Tips for Feature writing Be clear about why you are writing the article. Write in the active voice. Accuracy is important. Keep your audience clearly in mind. Avoid using cliches. Use anecdotes and direct quotes.

36. Thank You!