FEATURE WRITING
I. Introduction to Feature Articles
Terms Notes
Feature Story
● a write up that is based on that mysterious
ingredient in journalism called 'human interest' -- it
appeals to us because we can relate to it
● (Williamson, 1977)
a creative, sometimes subjective, article designed
primarily to entertain and to inform readers of an
event, a situation or an aspect of life.
● Ivar Gica (1988),
an article with an interesting title and an equally
exciting lead paragraph, sustained interest,
suspended and reasonably satisfying ending.
Objectives of a
● The goal of a feature story is to communicate the
Feature Story
truth --not fiction --in a different way than a hard
news story.
● In feature, the immediacy of the event is secondary.
It's replaced by reader interest. Elaboration, mood,
context, detailed description, emotion and,
sometimes, humor surround bare facts.
● In terms of objective, feature articles can be said to
have two aims: INFORM and ENTERTAIN.
● Ideally, a feature has elements of both and the
writer can use a variety of techniques and devices
to add “color” to the story.
, ● It must be overlooked that the feature story is
factual unlike the short story which is fiction.
FEATURE spells F - factual not fictitious
E - entertaining
A - appealing to the emotions
T - timely / not timely
U - unusual
R - reader-oriented
E - explanation, extrapolation - extending / projecting
known info
Elements of a
● creativity
Feature Story
● subjectivity
● informativeness
● entertainment
● imperishable
Creativity Feature writing allows a reporter to create a story virtually
at will, but still he is bound to observe factual & accurate
reporting
Subjectivity
● Some feature stories are written in the first person /
the "I approach" thus allowing the reporter to inject
his own emotions & thoughts.
● But many reporters who are trained in objective
reporting seldom use this technique.
Informativeness A feature story may lack in hard news value, but can
constructively inform public of a situation / aspect of life
that may escape coverage in hard news stories.
I. Introduction to Feature Articles
Terms Notes
Feature Story
● a write up that is based on that mysterious
ingredient in journalism called 'human interest' -- it
appeals to us because we can relate to it
● (Williamson, 1977)
a creative, sometimes subjective, article designed
primarily to entertain and to inform readers of an
event, a situation or an aspect of life.
● Ivar Gica (1988),
an article with an interesting title and an equally
exciting lead paragraph, sustained interest,
suspended and reasonably satisfying ending.
Objectives of a
● The goal of a feature story is to communicate the
Feature Story
truth --not fiction --in a different way than a hard
news story.
● In feature, the immediacy of the event is secondary.
It's replaced by reader interest. Elaboration, mood,
context, detailed description, emotion and,
sometimes, humor surround bare facts.
● In terms of objective, feature articles can be said to
have two aims: INFORM and ENTERTAIN.
● Ideally, a feature has elements of both and the
writer can use a variety of techniques and devices
to add “color” to the story.
, ● It must be overlooked that the feature story is
factual unlike the short story which is fiction.
FEATURE spells F - factual not fictitious
E - entertaining
A - appealing to the emotions
T - timely / not timely
U - unusual
R - reader-oriented
E - explanation, extrapolation - extending / projecting
known info
Elements of a
● creativity
Feature Story
● subjectivity
● informativeness
● entertainment
● imperishable
Creativity Feature writing allows a reporter to create a story virtually
at will, but still he is bound to observe factual & accurate
reporting
Subjectivity
● Some feature stories are written in the first person /
the "I approach" thus allowing the reporter to inject
his own emotions & thoughts.
● But many reporters who are trained in objective
reporting seldom use this technique.
Informativeness A feature story may lack in hard news value, but can
constructively inform public of a situation / aspect of life
that may escape coverage in hard news stories.
