Feature-Writing, about writing, education

Feature

1. Feature Writing

2. Almost no one can give an exact definition of a feature story. It is not a news story written in inverted pyramid form with no opinion or other embellishments. It is not a fiction story, for most features deal with facts. While it may explain, it does not provide opinion like an editorial. Figuratively, we can say that while straight news appeals to the physical and editorial appeals to the intellect, feature story appeals to the emotion. - Gelly E. Alkuino

3. Feature stories are portraits of different facets of life depicted vividly in writings. - Gretel Laura Cadiong

4. Feature article is the journalistic equivalent of the essay. It’s function is to humanize, to add color and to educate in an entertaining manner. It tells about how and why things happen. - Dominador Pagliawan

5. A feature story as a write-up is based on that mysterious ingredient in journalism called human interest. Feature article appeals to the emotion. It tells stories and paints pictures in the minds of the readers. - Antonio Alido

6. A feature article is factual. It tells story showing specific scenes. And it usually quotes liberally and allows the reader to see the story through detailed description and vivid writing. - Eden Dadap

7. Qualities of Feature Articles 1. It deals with any topic. 2. It usually entertains more often than it informs, instructs or advises. 3. It may be long or short as long as it covers the subject adequately and keeps it interesting to the readers. 4. It may be light or serious, depending on its purpose.

8. Qualities of Feature Articles 5. It could be formal or informal and written in any form and style, but well organized. 6. It may or may not be timely. 7. It begins with a novelty lead. 8. It is written in ascending interest.

9. Qualities of Feature Articles 9. It is based on facts. Though sometimes, the writer uses his imagination to play up the details, it is still anchored on facts. 10. It can be garnished with adjective, figures of speech, dialogue, anecdote, local color and idiomatic expressions. 11. It can be written in the first or third person.

10. Kinds of Feature Story Informative Feature - It gives information to the readers. This includes about subjects of current interests. Human Interest Feature - A story that somehow involves people and their troubles, failures and successes.

11. Historical Feature - I t narrates the evolution of something like the name of a particular place, origin of a celebration and others. Personality Sketch - People are interested in people, especially with people who have become successful or have attained celebrity status.

12. Personal Experience - I t deals with any unusual experience usually written in first person. Travelogue - It describes a place and the kind of people the writer has met during his travel.

13. Science Feature - It features anything related to science and technology. News Feature - This is usually based on a recent event. Its focus is less on the information, but on the deeper meaning of the incident.

14. Sports Feature - Any feature article related to sports. How to Feature - It aims to explain a process or how a certain product or service is made or rendered.

15. Sources of Feature Articles 1. Experience 2. Observation 3. Reading materials like books, newspapers, magazines and others 4. Special events like anniversaries, holidays 5. Advertisements 6. Speeches and commentaries

16. 7. Movies 8. Casual conversation 9. Travel 10. Tourist spots 11. Fads 12. Interview 13. Imagination

17. Steps in writing a feature article For publication, you have to choose a topic which you know well. For competitions, try all the possible topics and get much information about these. Limit your subject to just one specific area. Think of a more interesting angle of the topic. Make an outline.

18. Use appropriate and striking novelty lead. You can garnish your article with anecdotes, dialogues and local color. Don’t just tell. Show the readers instead. Use powerful verbs. Make sure the article is filled with dramatic quality. Give proofs like statistical values to make your article more factual. Follow this scheme, 90% facts and 10% opinion.

19. Try to make use of the T-Q formula/ Transition-Quote Formula. You can play with direct and indirect quotations in the body to make it more fluid. When quoting, proper attributions should be made. Tie up your conclusion to the lead. Make a striking title.

20. Structure of a Feature Article Feature story follows the pyramid structure. The details of the story are arranged according to the ascending order of importance, from the least important to the most important ones. It begins with a novelty lead.

21. Styles in writing Feature Articles Blundell T/Q

22. Parts of the Feature Article Blundell Technique Introduction - Lead and Nut Graph Body Conclusion T-Q Formula Lead Nut Graph Body - Transition/Quote Conclusion

23. T-Q Formula Lead opening statement / sentence must grab and hold the readers’ attention by using specific, interest-arousing words can be more than one paragraph can be and often are longer than one sentence should be specific to your stories should not be filled with clichés should be in the third person (except if you are writing a personal experience)

24. Nut Graph - contains the 5 Ws and H which were not answered in the lead - a summary of what your story about

25. Body - should contain the details of your story - based on facts (90% facts, 10% opinion) - should contain the transition/quote formula (makes the fluidity of your story) - establish the active voice of verb for the transitions - In quoting, if you quote a whole paragraph, attribute the source with the complete name after the first sentence then continue the quote after the attribution.

26. - If there is that chance that you have to quote from the same source, the next time you have your attribution, just write the family name of the person whom you quoted from. - The number of transition/quote may vary in numbers. There is no such required number of this scheme for as long as they are still needed in your article.

27. Conclusion - it is good to end your feature article with a powerful quote - or you may tie it with the lead

28. Best Leads for Feature Articles Narrative Lead - narration of a scenario Ex. Before the flood, Romeo visited his relatives in the village, sensing no signs of weather abnormalities. He went from house to house inviting his folks to attend his wedding in the barrio church, unaware that a strong typhoon was coming.

29. Descriptive Lead - uses descriptive words to vividly formulate an imagery Ex. The raging rain fell outside of the dilapidated house. For the past 14 hours, no one could ever hear anything other than raindrops. Not one from the members of the family uttered a single word, but deep within themselves, they knew the gnawing shadow of fear that slowly crept into their senses. For it was the same ambience when a lethal flood besieged their town two years ago, killing hundreds of people.

30. Quotation Lead - This is a statement uttered by a well-known speaker or celebrity in the community. Ex. “I don’t care if I burn in hell for as long as the people I serve live in paradise.” President-Elect Rodrigo R. Duterte said in one of his campaign materials during the recently concluded Presidential Election 2016.

31. Question Lead - is a thought-provoking question to capture the interest of the reader and lead them to find the answer provided by the succeeding details of the article. Ex. When was the last time I told my father I loved him?

32. Teaser - A device to deceive the reader in a jesting manner to arouse his curiosity and gently lead him into the story. It is generally short, crispy and witty. Riddles are often used and they do not give the readers any clue on the nature of the story. They are mostly suggestive and humorous. Ex. What comes first, the hen or the egg? Well, egg could not be made possible without the hen. But where does the hen come from?

33. Punch Lead - It is short, striking one-sentence lead. Ex. Hungry farmers are selling not only their plows and carabaos , but also their children.

34. Astonisher - makes use of an exclamatory sentence Ex. The city’s water district is on fire! People from all walks of life are lambasting it for its alleged failure to supply the much needed water to its numerous consumers not only in the city but also in the neighboring towns of leyte .

35. One Word Lead - a significant word that can strike the readers Ex. BANG! Sprinters from the different divisions of Region XII zoomed like bullets to the finishing line during the 100-meter dash of the Cotabato Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) Meet, held at Antonio C. Acharon Sports and Development Center, Calumpang , General Santos City on April 1-5, 2005

36. Parody Lead - It consists of a parody of a well-known quotation, song, poem, book or movie film title. Ex. Here, there, and everywhere. This was how Manny Pacquiao moved in the ring during his latest fight with Timothy Bradley of USA, making use of his speed and boxing skills.

37. Background Lead - It describes an event in which the background overshadows the individuals who participate in it; often use for stories about carnivals, festivals, dances and others . Ex. The campus was turned into a miniature carnival ground during its anniversary celebration. Decorated with buntings and multi-colored lights, the school quadrangle was a grand setting for a barrio fiesta.

38. Freak Lead - uses typographical effects to enhance appeal Ex. For sale: a kidney Ruben Tocal , 28, resident of Taguig and a father of seven children said yesterday that he was forced to sell his kidney to provide his family a bright future.

39. Contrast Lead - It is used to point up opposites and extremes. Ex. In the 1960’s, a ten-centavo coin was already a treasure. Today, nobody wants to give it a second glance on the ground.

40. Staccato Lead - A series of words or phrases, punctuated by periods, commas, or dashes. Ex. Neglected. Denuded. Abused. Abandoned. This is the real picture of our forest today.

41. Organizing the Body

42. Provide the readers with vital information Make your sentences clear and concise Use a thread Connect paragraphs with transitional words and phrases Use dialogue to keep the story moving Establish a voice

43. How to end your feature article?

44. A summary of the whole article Ex. Health experts are right: vegetables are excellent for the body. We need them for more energy, to fight various diseases, and for better looks.

45. An announcement of the main point Ex. It is hard to define a feature article because it can take so many forms and can cover so many subjects.

46. A question left in the reader’s mind Ex. The hand of a feature writer toil for the love of writing. They turn the wheel of progress and hold high the torch of freedom - the freedom of expression. Do you have these hands?

47. Suggestions fro the desired action Ex. Let us conserve our water now if we want to save the future of our households.

48. A reference to the title Ex. Given this, one would have doubts that poverty, indeed, is a hindrance to success.

49. A repetition of the sentence or slogan Ex. No pains, no gains. Without hard work, determination, and discipline, Manny Pacquiao would not have made it to the list of the country’s few billionaires.

50. A forecast or prediction Ex. Three years from now, if population explosion will not stop, we will have doubled the country’s population count.

51. PITFALLS TO AVOID IN FEATURE WRITING news or editorial leads. (Avoid first and second person points of view.) stating the obvious in the lead using clichés writing in passive voice messy handwriting using too many adverbs and adjectives instead of specific nouns and powerful verbs. lacking of strong quotes

52. To make your feature article a great one, you should remember this mnemonics. GQ STUDD G – great S – story lead Q – quotes T – transition U – unique angle D – description (show, don’t tell) D – details

53. Sample of Feature articles

54. The Wind Beneath Our Wings Feldah Ditalo Guitoria I can fly higher than an eagle Cause you are the wind beneath my wings… Are these lines familiar? Yes.. if I have to choose a song which will best fit the lady behind the performing Campus Journalism Program of the Eastern Samar Division, it would be this.

55. She is kind… but firm; she is stern… but fair; she gives much but gets little; the epitome of a leader who exudes honesty, kindness and fairness. She has the passion for her work, never leaving a single stone unturned, until it’s done. She never fails to remind everyone (I’m referring to the DAESPA Technical Working Group) of his/her duty in big events - trainings and press conferences. She works with the group from start to finish, thus, coming up always with a successful activity. She keeps her feet on the ground in spite of the accomplishments she had for our division in line with campus journalism.

56. She remains to be approachable and accommodating… always ready to lend her ears for suggestions and “confessions” from her subordinates. Yes, the lady I’m referring to is our indefatigable and dynamic Division Campus Journalism Coordinator… Mrs. Maria Casillano Moscare ! Ssshhh … She may not like what I’m going to reveal to you now. Let’s keep this a secret between you and me…on October 1………is her birthday. Happy Birthday, Ma’am!!!

57. Raw yet sweet Young as he is, tagged as the boy next door in their school, oozing with cuteness and humility attracts girls in his school. John Lloyd Silva, a grade 8 student of Immaculate Conception School, paints a perfect emblem of an ideal guy for a relationship as the female students fondly call him “boyfriend” for he possesses what it takes to be a boyfriend material. His young age doesn’t seem to hinder him to get a lot of admirations from his girl schoolmates. LEAD Transi-tion Nut Graph

58. “When I saw JL, it’s as if I saw my future boyfriend already,” Jillian May Andres said. “He is so cute. He caught my heart. I always want to see him each day. Actually, he inspires me a lot. I don’t make any absences anymore at all.” Silva treats his admirers just like sisters. He doesn’t take those sweet notes and heart striking calls of him whenever he passes along the corridor going to his room. “Oh my God, I can’t control myself not to be fascinated and get hooked about John Lloyd for he is so sweet,” campus crush, Alexa Jane Mendez said. “Sometimes, I feel awkward whenever he takes notice of me and answer back when I say ‘hi,’ he replies, ‘Hi ate!’ So it was just a sister’s treat.” Quote Quote Transi-tion

59. His innocence that he is a campus crush adds more admirations from the girls about him for he acts so young like what the typical boys do. The only trait of him is his cuteness and sweetness. He is young, yet when he deals with his peers especially with girls, his sweetness to them is loud. “I don’t know exactly what it’s like to love them,” Silva said. “I am still young for that. Though I just love the thought of showing them comfort and ease when they approach me. There were even times that they misinterpreted my smile that they thought I have a crush on them but the truth is, I have my respect for them and that I need to be nice and as much as possible accommodating.” Transi-tion Quote

60. His spark as a young boy to all who have a crush on him is but nothing but a plain admiration according to him. Though maturity doesn’t mark him yet, he has that early sign of a perfect lover however; he is still raw for that matter. His sweetness gives so much foundation to the so called “boyfriend-girlfriend” relationship. Ending

61. Now you see… Now you don’t… “ Tantaradan-taradan-taradan ,” rang my phone. My cousin called me up reminding me to get packed and get ready before lunchtime as we would be leaving for the island. Excitedly, I gave an exalting response saying yes to her finally after the resets. I could now grant myself a treat of relaxation and could soak myself enjoying the last few days of my summer. The ball of fire stood straight above the skies allowing fine weather with tender blowing wind to complete the scene of our departure for Sulu-an island with my cousin with her husband and two of my close friends during the last days of summer.

62. We left from our abode before lunch and reached the terminal just as the time the expected pump boat which we would be riding on arrived from the island which soon we would visit. My cousin approached the driver and asked if we would be leaving already, then in reply, he asked for a little time to wait to buy for a gas. “Tara palit la anay kita hin tinapay ngan tubig ,” my cousin said. “ Maghulat daw anay kita kadali kay mapalit pa hin gas kay bangen daw kita mahubsan . Adto daw kita magbinugsayay kun dumeritso kita .”

63. Of course, the rest of us don’t want to paddle in the middle of the sea if the boat would be out of gas. And so we waited by the RLM store and bought bread and water. Later, the driver came and signaled us that we would be leaving now. “Smile guys,” my friend said. “We should take a picture before the engine starts so that we have a proof that we are really leaving for Sulu-an.” The five of us took a “ groufie ” while the driver tried to start the engine. I and my two friends exclaimed that this was it pancit ! This was a trip that would conclude our summer vacation.

64. “Da-da-da-da-da-da-da,” the engine sounded. “Fasten your seatbelt guys as we would traverse the sea like you can’t imagine. The tossing waves are just waiting there,” Kuya Jay-R jokingly said a bit. It was still a very fine and calm sea as if we were just riding on a plain. No humps and disturbances. Yet, just as we thought it was like that through the travel, shocks! It was not! Little by little the waves got bigger and stronger. The front part of the boat racked off as it fought against the approaching bulge of water. Meanwhile, the driver said that we should relax for they were still normal. “Oh my God!” Charlie shouted. “Are these still normal Kuya ? They are no joke anymore. What the! Earlier when we left, I thought it was a smooth sail but now it’s as if the seas are mad at us that we travel!”

65. Nervousness enveloped the four of us except for my cousin’s husband for he was used with the waves for his family was a native of the island. This was really a proof of what I usually hear from my friends back in the mainland that the waves are just big that I couldn’t imagine. The feeling of fright was intensified more when we were already in the glimpsed of the island for the darkened clouds covered the blue skies and fell its precipitates thinking that the situation could go worse. But in God’s will, it stopped after a few minutes. It was just an inch away, really it is true! Everybody of us was in awe! It was a jaw dropping landscape. The seas were sparkling blue, the shore waved its long inviting white sand,

66. and the whole island was really a piece of God’s masterpiece. It was as if commending its wealth of green and offering its abundance to us. Indeed, as we stepped on the shore, I said that this was a haven. After the now you see and now you don’t experience in the vast sea, thank God we arrived safe and sound. “Hello Sulu-an! Here we are!”

67. First Place NSPC 2014 Subic, Zambales Sulat . Bura . Sulat . Bura . Sa patuloy na pag-inog ng mundo , patuloy rin ang pangungukilkil ng kaisipang “ ang pluma ay higit na makapangyarihan kaysa anumang sandata .” Isang kasabihang totoo at hindi na bago para sa akin bilang isang mamamahayag . LEAD

68. Sa pang araw-araw na pagsusulat at paghahanap ng solusyon sa pang araw-araw na mga suliranin , may mga bagay na mismong ako ay aking nakaliligtaan .  Mga isyung hindi lang ikaw at ako ang may kinalaman, kundi pati ang bansang tinubuan.  Ito ang di mapiglas-piglas na isyu ng tanikala ng kahirapan. NUT GRAPH

69. Isa lamang akong simpleng manunulat ng aming paaralan sa Cagayan de oro at inaamin kong wala sa akin ang lahat ng solusyon sa lahat ng problema. Subalit nagbago ang lahat ng ito nang aking kapanayamin ang aming guro sa Araling Panlipunan na si Gng. Naildred Suan. TRANS-ITION

70. Sa edad niyang 55, agad na mababanaag ang kanyang pagiging seryoso sa buhay. Bantad na bantad ang kanyang pagiging desente at respetadong guro at indibidwal na kahit sa simpleng pakikipag-usap sa kanya ay sandamakmak na impormasyon at kaalaman ang matutuhuhan—bagay na siyang naghatak sa akin para siya’y kapanayamin. TRANS-ITION

71. “Ma’am, gaano na po kataas ang antas at lebel ng kahirapan sa Pilipinas?“  Ito ang linyang bumulalas mula sa aking nangungusap na bibig . Sa puso’t damdamin ko’y nagsalimbayan ang samu’t saring emosyon at palaisipan — mga katanungang nag- aapuhap ng mga kasagutan . QUOTE

72. Wala akong narinig na sagot mula sa kanya sa loob ng ilang segundo . Katahimikan ang tanging bumalot sa silid na aming kinaroroonan . Nakabibinging katahimikan na tumutulig sa munting mga tainga na siyang lagusan tungo sa pahat na isipang puno ng katanungan TRANS-ITION

73. “Hindi ko alam kung gaano. Tanging alam ko ay kung ano.“ Tanging linyang bumasag sa nakabibinging katahimikan. Linyang lalong nagpagulumi sa aking isipan. Wala akong nadarama kundi ang bugso ng pagkalito na dulot ng kanyang sinabi. QUOTE

74. “Tanging alam ko ay kung ano—kung ano ang dahilan ng kahirapang ating dinaranas. Ang dahilan ay ang korupsyon na kagagawan ng mga opisyales ng pamahalaan na nagnakaw, nagtaksil at nanlinlang. Kanilang ninakaw ang perang galing sa kaban ng bayan na nakalaan para sa mga proyekto at hakbanging pangkaunlaran. Sila’y nagtaksil sa ating mga mata at nanlinlang gamit ang kanilang mga maiitim na kasinungalingang hindi naikubli ng huwad na katotohanan. Sa katunayan, ang mga taong ito ay ang mga binoto at iniluklok ng sambayanan sa posisyong kanilang kinalalagyan. …. QUOTE

75. Binigay niyang halimbawa ang isa sa mga  episodes  ng programa ng ABS-CBN na “Failon Ngayon.“ Doon ay ipinakita ang kalunos-lunos na kalagayan ng karamihan sa mga pamilyang Pilipino na ang isang kahig ay isang tuka. Makabagbag damdamin ang kanilang kalagayan habang patagong ninanakaw ng mga nakaupo sa katungkulan ang perang nakalaan. TRANS-ITION

76. “ Maraming aral ang patuloy na sinasabog ng isyung ito sa moral at kamalayan ng taong-bayan . Mga aral ito na hindi dapat mailista lamang sa hanging tiyak na hahawiin ng rumaragasang usok ng kapalaluan . Kaya’t kailangang mahanapan ng agarang solusyon ang problemang ito . Dahil kung hindi , patuloy at lalo itong titindi at darating ang araw kung saan tuluyan nang nakalugmok ang bansang Pilipinas sa kumunoy ng di matibag-tibag na balangkas ng kahirapan . Ikaw , bilang isang kabataang Juan dela Cruz; ano ang maiaambag mo para sa malutas ang isyung ito ?” Ito ang huling linyang mula sa bibig ni Gng . Suan na umurirat sa lahat ng aspeto ng aking pagkatao . Mundo ko’y tila huminto sa pag-inog nang kanyang sinambit ang huling pangungusap na nagbadya ng isang napakalaking palaisipan sa akin. QUOTE

77. Sulat . Bura . Sulat . Bura . Maraming araw ang lilipas . Maraming dahon ang malalagas . Maraming papel ang maalpas at maraming tinta ang maipapamalas . Magpapatuloy ang aking pagsusulat at pagbubura . Subalit sa bawat sulat na aking gagawin at bawat burang aking tatahakin , akay-akay ko na ang bandila ng Pilipinas ng may responsibilidad . Dahil sa murang gulang ko , ako’y maituturing na isang responsableng Juan dela Cruz na naniniwalang responsableng pluma ang kailangan tungo sa walang-patid na daloy ng kaunlaran . ENDING

78. “Fostering 21 st Century Skills and Character-based Education through Campus Journalism”

79. Thank You!