Writing a Feature Article

What is a Feature Article? Feature is an essay based on facts It’s main purpose is to entertain and

must be interesting It takes many forms and covers many

subjects It may also instruct, advise, inform and

entertain at the same time Written to hook the reader and draw

them into the story

What is a Feature Article? May be of any length ranging, can be

the long ones like those that can be seen in magazines or short ones like those that are in campus publication

May or may not be timely It may be written in any form and style It uses specific nouns, adjectives and

verbs to create vivid images, sound and feeling for the readers.

Comparison to News Feature

Also a news feature is different from a feature article.

News feature aims to inform but with more explanation, backgrounds and impression. But a feature aims to entertain

Topics for a Feature Article

also called character sketch usually short The achiever, the builder or the

innovator. Emphasis should be on the person,

what he says and thinks, and what he does for development. His date of birth and the bundle of the certificates he has accumulated for attending seminars should take the back seat

Personalities

EXPERIENCE AND ADVENTURES

Interesting stories about different experiences such as workshop seminar, the field trips, the socials and such.

DESCRIPTION Significant events in the school

and community, interesting project and such. The writer gives his description that should be factual and original. Should use simple and concrete words that can be understand by average readers

What-to-do and How-to-do articles

They are articles that gives instruction that you must follow on some circumstance. Some are giving tips. And some are just for entertainment.

An in-depth look at the stories behind a current news

News Behind News

Science and TechnologyConcentrate on the latest advancement in science and technology with the aim of informing the readers and arousing their interests

Also called “concerned stories”Highlight the dramatic condition and experiences of certain groups of people

Human Appeal Stories

Seasonal ThemesMagnify the significance and relevance of holidays, anniversaries and special events

NarrativesThese are interesting stories to relate, especially historical ones.

BackgroundersThese are articles that explain the history or background of a certain events

Developmental Feature ArticlesArticles the deal with the development happening in the community. Things such as projects that will help for certain developments might catch the interest of some readers.

There are also feature articles about current trends. There are also book, movie and play reviews.

Choosing a Theme Has the story been done before? Is the story of interest to the audience? Does the story have holding power

(emotional appeal)? What makes the story worthy of being

reported? The theme answers the question, "So

what?"

Opening a Feature Article

A new writer often finds himself in a dilemma: "How should I start my feature article?" Sure, he has a clear idea of what he wants to write about. The lead is an important part to consider. Aside from a catchy title, the lead will either hook the readers to continue reading the article or turn the page to another piece.

Writing the Lead A summary may not be the best lead.

Instead, use novelty leads A lead block of one or two paragraphs

often begins a feature Rather than put the news elements of the

story in the lead, the feature writer uses the first two or three paragraphs to set a mood, to arouse readers, to invite them inside

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Contrast Lead – opening with opposites or differences “Mayweather is unbeaten, still many consider Pacquiao to be better than him despite Manny’s imperfect record.”

Figurative Lead – an opening figure of speech “Manny Pacquiao is the Pambansang Kamao…”

Allusion Lead – an opening reference to literature

“Like a diamond in the rough, Manny Pacquiao was plucked from the slums.”

Suspense Lead – an open ended beginning

“The only thing Manny lacks to be considered as the best boxer ever is…”

Snapshot Lead – Creates a picture of the setting or the person in the reader’s mind

Factual Lead – Uses statistics and hard facts at the outset to gain immediate interest.

Anecdotal Lead – Shares one’s or somebody else’s story or just a part of the experience.

Rhetorical QuestionWho says that age is an

obstacle to education?Take it from Danilo Marcelo of

Arayat, Pampanga who stopped going to school seven years ago after finishing the elementary grades. This year, at 24, he enrolled as a first year evening student at Abada High School.

Startling Statement“Hindi pa kami laos!”Thus exclaimed the young once teachers, administrators, parents, community and barangay members as the set aside one special day during the school’s celebration of Community Week to have a share of the festivities, and of course to display their hidden talents

Narrative OpeningMrs. Adelfa Prado, a fourth

year evening student, sends herself and her six children to school, acting as mother and father at the same time.

Every day, Mrs. Prado divides her time as half time tinder tending her sari sari store during the day and as half-time student studying at night.

Quoted Remarks“I can earn while I learn.”

He smiled at me as the interview reeled off. “How can you work, have a part-time job, and at the same time go to school?” I asked

“Well, it s easy,” he explained. “I don’t do all of these at the same time.”

An old maxim, and aphorism or a Salawikain

“Water, water, everywhere, but not a drop of drink.”

This quotation from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Coleridge does not hold true anymore. Today, even flood water can quench the thirst. How?

History or background of the subject

Muslims throughout the world, including our Filipino Muslim brothers, observe the holy month of Ramadan starting Sept. 17. Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar. It is observed by Muslims just as the Lenten season is commemorated by Christians.

Problems to be discussed and the article or fact to be establish

There is an answer to the rising cost of vegetables: raise your own.

 

Steps in Writing a

Feature Article

Body of the Feature Provides vital information while it

educates, entertains, and emotionally ties an audience to the subject.

Important components include:› Background information› The “thread” of the story› Dialogue› Voice

Organizing Feature StoriesFeature writers seldom use the inverted pyramid form. The Commonly used styles are:• chronology that builds to a climax at

the end, • a narrative, or• a first-person article about one of their

own experiences or a combination of these.

Write in ACTIVE VOICE & if possible, present tense

ACCURACY IS IMPORTANT. You can interpret and embroider but do not fudge.

Keep your AUDIENCE clearly in mind.

Avoid CLICHES…

AVOID LENGTHY and COMPLICATED paragraphs.

Using figures of speech is an effective tool in enhancing your feature writing. Make use of them frequently.

The tone of your piece is vital. Sprinkling some rhymes will make the feature more readable.

Sprinkle direct quotations, observations and additional background throughout the story. Paragraphs can be written chronologically or in order of importance. Be creative, watch, & listen

Read & Research Keep up to date, take notes and play

with words!

Ending A Feature Article

Leave a lasting impression by concluding it effectively.

How to end the article with an impact:

Remind the reader of the article's main point or focus.

Suggest an appropriate course of action. Encourage a change of attitude or

opinion. Pose a challenge to the reader.

A summary of the whole story

Take it from experts: Smoking is definitely harmful to health. Smoking may make you feel manly, but you may not live long enough to be one.

An announcement of the main point for the first time

Therefore, a major part of the development communication effort should be directed at strengthening the character of the people, and developing in them moral values, particularly self-discipline, self-reliance, strength of character, and fortitude.

A question left in reader’s mind

The hands of the new Filipino toil for the love of creation. They turn the wheels of progress and hold high the torch of freedom–freedom from want and hunger.

Do you have these kinds of hands?

Suggested result or significance

Let us conserve our forest now if we want to save the future of our country and of our children.

A forecast or prophecyIn 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 plants to grow.

A repetition of the introduction

Asked if he had any formal training in photography, Domingo Layson finally answered, “Ah, it is now the reverse. It is here where I learn as I earn, not earn as I learn.”

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 Fallar will soon graduate as a first honor student.

Now, who says that poverty is a hindrance to education?

An appropriate quotationNestor 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 shareFor the gift, without the giver is bare,Who gives himself with his alms feeds threeHimself, this hungering neighbor, and me.”

Write the title.What makes an effective headline:

Something that sticks and persuades the reader to peruse the article.

Something that encapsulates into very few words the main idea of the article.

Something that includes key words that revolve on the focus of the article.

Qualities of a Well-Written Feature Story

Well-researchedCatchyDescriptiveExcitingReflective

EmotionalEngagingNeutralThorough

3 Principles UnityCoherenceEmphasis

Although the writer applies his imagination

to the facts. The feature story is not

fiction. It is based on facts

Qualities a feature writer should possess:

A keen observation An intellectual curiosity Ability to find features in everyday happenings Cupboards of descriptive words and everyday

idioms Skill to weave words into interesting sentences

and paragraphs The ability to write effectively Has various interest Investigates every angle before starting to write

in order to get the story behind the story

For the English Feature Writing Contest:

Please write a feature article about:

The struggle of students to focus on their studies despite so many distractions.

You are free to use any style in writing the feature article

9:30 – 11:00