Feature Writing and Types

Defines a feature article as “a newspaper or magazine article that deals in depth with a particular topic.”

FEATURE WRITING 

A feature story is a piece of news item written with a particular intention i.e. either to make audience aware of a particular matter, to instruct or to entertain. 

Unlike a general news story, the feature might be prejudiced and sometimes can be used to express the emotion of the writer.  But a feature need not be on a topic of current discussion but can be a general topic. A feature story is normally slightly bigger than an ordinary news story. 

HOW TO WRITE A FEATURE - STRUCTURE OF A FEATURE 

 Headline : Headline should be as catchy as possible. The reader decides to read the news only if the headline is attractive. 

 The introduction: The introduction should be attractive and should persuade the reader to read further. It can have quotations, anecdotes and can be made dramatic and sensitive. 

 The body : Of the feature should present the details of the story. The various and opposing ideas regarding the story are presented in the body. The story should maintain its rhythm and tempo throughout.

Conclusion : The conclusion should be able to convince audiences of a particular perspective and should end with a punch line so that the reader will be reminded of the story when it is mentioned again.

The APPLAUSE Formula

According to a popular theory, a feature story must subscribe to the APPLAUSE Formula, where each letter of the word APPLAUSE stands for the following values:

A    Appeal -Appeal: A feature must evoke interest.  At some level and somewhere, it must appeal to the senses of the readers.

• P        Plain Facts -Facts are stranger than fiction
• P        Personalities Readers like celebrities. If a feature narrates the personal story of an individual who is important enough, readers will lap it up. An interview or a biographical piece can be very interesting depending on who it deals with. 
• L       Logic Obviously, a feature story has to conform to logical considerations
• A      Action A feature should ideally incite people into action. Only then, it fulfills its objective.
• U       Universal/ Unique  feature should have a decidedly universal orientation. It needs to be useful to all and sundry. It can’t necessarily target a certain section of readers alone. .
• S        Significance The feature has to ideally deal with a subject matter that has impact on people’s lives. In some way or the other, the feature should have some relevance in the daily lives of people.
• E                   Energy/ Enthusiasm  feature should be emphatic in its approach. It should be convinced about its own subject matter. In other words, a feature story needs to be energetic and enthusiastic in nature.

• types of feature stories:

• Colour Piece: A feature story that essentially tries to enlighten readers on a particular theme or subject.

  Fly on the Wall: A feature story that is conceived and narrated unobtrusively and mostly without the explicit permission of the subjects.

  Behind the Scenes: A feature story that shifts its focus from the principal event to the background and narrates an interesting tale.

  In Disguise: A feature story that is told while the storyteller is a part of the event.

  Interview: A feature story that develops itself around questions asked to a respondent, who is usually in a place of prominence.

  Profile: A feature story that is based on the exploits of a particular eminent person with or without his/ her interview.

  How-To: A feature story that is dependent on research and helps readers in solving a problem or deciphering a scenario.

  Fact Box/ Chronology: A feature story that provides plain and simple facts mostly in a chronological order.

  Backgrounder/ A History of: A feature story that provides detailed information.

  Full Texts: A feature story that is nothing but extracts from a book or transcripts of an interview.

  Testimony: A feature story that is the first-person account of an individual.

  Analysis: A feature story that scholarly analyzes an event.

  Vox Pop/ Expert Roundup: A feature story that accumulates opinions from the general citizenry and thought leaders concerning a subject.

  Opinion Poll: A feature story that conducts a research of opinions and presents a generalized summary of the accumulated opinions.

  Review: A feature story that reviews a work of art and presents a generalized opinion.

  While news items are extremely important, feature stories play the extremely critical role of building opinions and inciting actions. Features are extensively used for the purpose for advocacy as well.

  Feature writing is a skill that is acquired over a period of time. Proper training modules are required to turn a naturally gifted writer into a feature writer. 

SOME KEY POINTS OF FEATURE WRITING

 1. Focus should be on the topic and the topic should appeal to the audience. The feel and emotion that the writer creates determine the success of the feature. 

2. Be clear what the feature should do,that is t to inform, persuade, evaluate, evoke emotion, observe, analyze 

3. Accuracy is important. Make sure that the details are correct. 

4. Write for the audience. Know the audience’s taste and write. 

5. Interviews should be detailed and it would be better if the writer can meet the interviewed rather than talk on the phone  

6. Use Anecdotes (Life incidents), quotations and stories to make the feature attractive. 

7. Use the same tense form of the verb throughout the feature unless the situation demands 

 8. Write in Active Voice. Avoid lengthy, complex sentences and paragraphs. Use Active Voice of the sentence. 

 9. Collect details from various sources before writing a feature. Update information and talk to experts on the topic before writing. 

10. Check the grammar & spelling before sending for publication