Feature Writing

Nova Starr Lacerna

What is a Feature Article?

• It is a SOFT news story written like a piece of short fiction.• HARD news appeals to the physical aspects of

Intellect.• Feature stories appeal to the emotions. • Features stories combine factual reporting but

with the creative freedom of short story writing.• It takes an in-depth look at what’s going on in

the news.

Why Write Feature Articles?• To add a HUMAN Element

to the news. • It is not meant to deliver

news, but still it contains the elements of news. • To add color and feeling

even to major news that has already been reported.

Feature Stories Are Emotional•Emphasize on Facts that can trigger HUMAN INTEREST – to be able to touch the heart of others. •Put people in the story, make the readers think and care

How can you make a Feature Story out of the News?

Use the facts and your imagination and the feeling that you want out of the readers.

Use adjectives, figures of speech, dialogue, stories, and/or idioms.

Use the appropriate point of view to emphasize your point/emotions.

9 Kinds of Feature Story1. Human Interest Feature - a story involving people, their

troubles, failures and successes. This story can make readers relate to it as if it happened to them too.

2. Personality Sketch - a semi-biography of a newsworthy person. 3. Historical Feature - narrates the evolution of something (place,

celebration, culture.)4. Analytical Feature – dissects problems and describes a solution5. Seasonal Feature – uses and old theme with some fresh insights

or information

9 Kinds of Feature Story

5. Travelogue - describes a place and the kind of people met during travel

6. News Feature - mentions facts from a recent event but highlights the deeper meaning of the incident. Adds variety and contrast from the news.

• Has news peg – an aspect or angle of a story that makes it newsworthy

5. Informative feature – what do humans what/need to know? Why would they want to know about it?

6. Science/Sports feature - story related to science/sports

Feature Stories Can Be Found ANYWHERE!!

Here are some interesting sources: • experience• Observation• Reading materials• Special events• Advertisements

• Travel• Interview• Speeches and commentaries• Movies• Casual conversation• Imagination 

How Do You Make a Good Feature Story?

• Be Creative - imagine. • Be Subjective – inject your own thoughts and emotions. • Be Informative - give useful details. • Be Entertaining – not boring! • Be Timeless – let your story linger in the hearts of your

readers.