Features and Characteristics of features .pptx

This presentation is intended for educational purpose.

1. Features

2. Features In the world of journalism, a feature story is a creative and in-depth article that goes beyond the basic facts of a news report. Unlike hard news, which prioritizes immediacy and the "who, what, when, where, and why," a feature delves into the human-interest aspects of a topic, aiming to engage readers on an emotional level. These articles are often longer, more descriptive, and offer a greater degree of flexibility in terms of structure and writing style.

3. Characteristics of a Feature Story Narrative and Descriptive: Features often employ storytelling techniques, weaving a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. They use vivid language and sensory details to paint a picture for the reader. Human Element: At the heart of most features is a focus on people. They explore individual experiences, emotions, and perspectives, making the story more relatable and memorable. In-depth Exploration: Features provide a deeper dive into a subject, offering more context, background information, and analysis than a straight news story. This often involves extensive research and interviews.

4. Creative Freedom: Journalists writing features have more creative latitude. They can use literary devices like anecdotes, dialogue, and imagery to enhance their storytelling. The rigid "inverted pyramid" structure of news writing is often replaced with a more narrative flow. Emotional Connection: A primary goal of a feature is to evoke an emotional response from the reader, whether it be empathy, humor, or inspiration. Timeless Quality: While some features may be tied to current events, many have an "evergreen" quality, meaning they remain relevant and interesting to readers long after their initial publication.

5. Types of Feature Stories Human Interest Story: This is one of the most common types of features. It focuses on the everyday lives, struggles, and triumphs of ordinary people, often in a way that is emotionally compelling. For instance, a story about a community coming together to support a family after a house fire would be a human-interest piece. Profile: A profile centers on an individual, offering a detailed look into their life, career, personality, and motivations. This could be a celebrity, a politician, an artist, or an everyday person with a unique story to tell.

6. News Feature: This type of feature is tied to a current news event but explores a specific angle in greater depth. For example, following a major policy change, a news feature might focus on the impact of that change on a single family or community. Trend Story: These articles identify and analyze current trends in society, culture, or a particular industry. They explore the origins of the trend, its impact, and where it might be headed. A story about the rise of a new social media platform and its effect on youth culture would be a trend story.

7. Investigative Feature: This is a long-form piece of journalism that involves in-depth research to uncover information that is often hidden or not easily accessible. Investigative features can expose wrongdoing, corruption, or systemic problems. Historical Feature: These articles commemorate and provide new insights into historical events, often connecting them to the present day. Seasonal Feature: These features are tied to specific times of the year or holidays, such as an article about the history of a particular holiday tradition or a profile of a person who works in a seasonal industry.

8. "How-To" or Explanatory Feature: This practical type of feature provides readers with instructions or a clear explanation of a complex topic. This could range from a guide on how to start a community garden to an article explaining a new scientific discovery. Behind-the-Scenes Feature: This type of story gives readers an inside look at a place, event, or process that is not typically open to the public, such as the inner workings of a professional kitchen or the preparations for a major theatrical production.