feature stories across the genres
DESCRIPTION
An introduction to purpose, genre and type in feature writingTRANSCRIPT
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Feature storiesAcross the genres
©Martin HirstDeakin UniversityMarch 2012
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The broad feature landscape0Feature stories can be about anything – all subjects are
open0Feature stories are not determined by length or topic, or
approach0Purpose0The purpose of a feature is to inform
and to entertain0Feature stories work across
0 Genre0 Type0 Content0 Style0 Form0 Structure
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What is a feature?
A Feature article is a newspaper or magazine piece, usually over 400 words that is written to entertain and inform the reader.
It’s narrative structure differs from a straight news story, though it is written with a lead to get the reader's attention
A feature will use a more relaxed tone to present information which might trigger an emotional reaction in the reader
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PurposeDESCRIPTION show rather than tell through observation and describingEXPLANATION explain how something works of why it happenedPROCEDURAL how to do or make somethingNARRATIVE entertain and hold a reader’s interestRECOUNT list and describe past experiences by retelling chronologicallyREPORT describe and classify information in a logical sequenceARGUMENT ideas in sequence to justify a particular stand or viewpoint
“We knew that if we could identify them in their second trimester, there’s a good chance we could capture them for years,” Pole told me.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=magazine
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Genre
Wikipedia:journalism genres various journalism styles, fields or separate genres, in writing accounts of events.
Dictionary.com:genre a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique, or the like: the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music.
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Feature Genres0Newspaper features
0 News-edged0 Investigative0 Lifestyle0 Human Interest
0Magazine features0 Special Interest0 Market-segmented0 Wide range of sub-
genres
0Newsletters0 Government publications 0 Community & other
markets0Trade & Specialty
Publications0 Corporate0 Industry bodies0 Science & Research0 Popular
0Broadcast & Online0 Documentary genres0 Current Affairs
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Genres #20 News Feature
0 Focus on issues, people, conflicts in news agenda
0 Investigative0 Deep background with
proof and data0 Breaking new big story
0 Spot News / Event0 Background0 Analysis0 Deadline-driven
0 Soft features0 Lifestyle0 Advertorial
0Trend Stories0 What’s new & exciting
Data over timeShifting demographics
0 Old v. New0Place and People
0 The ‘live in’ 0 Humanised0 Can involve writer
0Profiles0 Person0 People0 Organisations
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Feature Types0 Colour piece
0 Describing a scene and throw light on its theme(s).
0 Fly on the wall0 Observational 0 Unobtrusive.
0 Behind the scenes0 First person or ‘in’ the
story.0 In disguise0 Pretending to be another
person 0 Interview
0 Factbox / Chronology0 A simple list of facts,
perhaps in date order0 Timeline narrative
0 Backgrounder0 A history of0 An extended factbox.
0 Full texts0 Extracts from books or
transcripts of interviews.0 My testimony
0 A first person report of some kind.
David Randall - The Universal Journalist
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Feature Types #20 Analysis
0 An examination of the reasons behind an event
0 Issue-based0 Long-running dispute0 Recent controversy0 New information about ongoing
topic or issue0 Vox Pop0 Expert roundup
0 A selection of views from members of the public or experts
0 Opinion poll0 Review0 Editorial
0 Humorous0 Light-hearted0 Poking fun
0 Educational0 Curiosity0 Background
0 How-to0 Instructional0 Enthusiast
0 Human Interest / Drama0 Emotional0 Tension0 Resolution
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Content: what is it about?0Content
0Form
0Structure
0Style
0Writing0 Homework
0 Find examples0 Discuss approach
0 Check-out The Global Mailhttp://www.theglobalmail.org/