Meden F.

Fadriquela
SPA- NEUHS Department
Quezon City
If you ask the question
"how and why" things
happen, then you probably
like reading feature stories
in newspapers
and magazines.
Newswriting is great, but for
those who love words and
the craft of writing, there's
nothing like producing a
great feature story.
 Hard-news stories are typically an
assemblage of facts. Some are better-written
than others, but they all exist to fulfill a
simple purpose - convey information.

 Feature stories, on the other hand, aim to do

much more. They convey facts, yes,
but they also tell the stories of people's
lives. To do that, they must incorporate
facets of writing often not found in news
stories, ones that are often associated with
fiction writing.
♦What is a feature story?
 A feature takes an in-depth look at what’s
going on behind the news.
 It gets into the lives of people.
 It tries to explain why and how a trend
developed.

 Unlike news, a feature does not have to be tied

to a current event or a breaking story. But it can
grow out of something that’s reported in the
news.
 It may be a profile of a person or a group
-- an athlete, a performer, a politician, or
a community worker or a team, a choir
or a political organization. Or perhaps
it’s an in-depth look at a social issue --
like fraternities in schools or eating
disorders among young women. It could
also be a story that gives the reader
background on a topic that’s in the news
-- like a story that explains how land
mines work and the history of their use
in war.
Afeature story is usually longer
than a news story -- but length is
not a requirement! What’s more
important is the form the story
takes.
Think of the feature as the journalistic
equivalent of an essay. Follow these
guidelines
 startwith a premise or theme
 present information and opinions that
back your point,
 bring the reader to a conclusion.

The feature often explores different points of

views, even when the story is about one
particular person.
The story behind the news
Here’s an example of how a feature can explain
and explore a story that makes news:
 Your local newspaper reports on the front
page that school enrollments are dropping
in your small community. The reason? Many
people are being forced to leave the town
to look for jobs in bigger cities and
obviously, their children go with them. As a
reporter you can go beyond the facts and
figures in the news story by talking to one
of the families who are leaving. How do
they feel? What made them decide to go?
 What will they miss about home? What are
they expecting in their new community?
How do the children feel about leaving
their school and their friends? Or you can
look at the story from the point of view of
the people who remain in the town. What’s
it like to lose friends and family to far-away
cities? How does it affect the school? What
about the local economy?
 The news story tells the audience
what happened. The feature will
tell them why and how it
happened, how the people
involved are reacting, and what
impact the decision
is having on other
people.
1. Personality profile
 Indulge your curiosity -- and that of your
readers -- with a profile of an interesting
person.

•You can look at someone who’s making

news in your community, province or
country. Or it could be someone who's
relatively unknown to the public but
who has done something unusual or
remarkable
 Writtento bring an audience
closer to a person in or out of
the news.

 Interviews and observations,

as well as creative writing, are
used to paint a vivid picture of
the person.
Tips for Writing Personality Profiles
 focus on a person (a story that captures a
human being on paper)
 not a cradle-to-grave account
 zero in on subject in relation to a particular
activity
 select and highlight what will interest the
audience
 make a person real, not a flat stereotype
 involve longer and more interviews
2. TREND STORIES
Many of the best stories come from reporters’
observations of the world around them. Here’s just
one example of how you can come across a great
feature story in your daily life:

 YOU are hanging around with friends at lunch time

and talking about plans for the weekend. Someone
says they’ve heard that the town council is
considering a curfew for teens. Everyone under 16
has to be off the streets by 11pm on weekends. You
have your own curfew - set by your parents - but
you are surprised to learn that the mayor wants to
put one in place for everyone.
A trend story examines people,
things or organizations that are
having an impact on society.

 Trendstories are popular

because people are excited to
read or hear about the latest
fads.
 3. Human Interest
A human interest story is written to
show a subject’s oddity or its
practical, emotional, or
entertainment value.
4. In-depth stories
 Through extensive research
and interviews, in-depth stories
provide a detailed account well
beyond a basic news story or
feature.
 5. Travel Features/ Travelogue
 People and places are always exciting but the
places recommended must be worth spending
money, time and trouble.

 Travelfeatures demand exceptional

descriptive and narrative skills.
6. Hobby Features
 Uncommon hobbies like cloud watching,
bird watching, lizard eating, bees
collecting etc. present exotic feature
avenues.
 A hobby feature writing interests the
readers that has to say about exceptional
hobbies.
7. Backgrounders
 Alsocalled an analysis piece--adds
meaning to current issues in the news by
explaining them further.

 These articles bring an audience up-to-

date, explaining how this country, this
organization, this person happens to be
where it is now.
8. How to do features

 Ittells us how to do the certain things,

steps by steps.
 Feature writing tips
The basic guidelines for good
writing apply to all types of
writing. However, if you expect to
hold your readers attention for
1,000 words or more, your writing
must be must be lively, specific
and clear.
As a student writer you have to start with
a lead that captures your reader’s
attention.
It could be an anecdote you have heard
during the course of your research.
It could be a description of a person, place
or thing that draws the reader in and
encourages them to learn more.
It could a newsy lead that
highlights the point of the
story.
 Move your story along with
descriptions of what happened,
quotes from people involved in the
issue, and details that place the
reader in the midst of the action.
Make sure your ending is meaningful.
Your closing words should
make an impact on your
readers and tie the
various strands of your
story together.
Apowerful quote
can often make for a
good ending. Or
you may want to
come full circle and
refer back to a
word or an image
used in your
opening sentences.
A good feature writer has SHORTS
Stores a journal
Has a nose for good stories
Observes accuracy
Reads a lot
Takes charge
Simple in writing
STEPS IN WRITING
AND ORGANIZING
THE FEATURE ARTICLE
Steps in Writing and Organizing the
Feature Article
 Narrow down the topic
 Start with a lead that hooks the
readers
– Quote
“I want to die with my boots on,”
says an 85-year old English
teacher.
– Chronology of events

Being part of a big family,

Lani Patricio has always
aspired of becoming a successful
businesswoman here in the
Philippines and abroad.
– Shocking moment
It was in this moment when all
hope had faded, that Kat
Baron crossed the finish line,
giving the Sophomores the
championship medal for the
4x100 relay run.
– A rhetorical question
 College education is a privilege, not
a right, isn’t it?
– A surprising fact
 80% of Filipinos spend at least 50

pesos a day for cellphone load,

despite inflation of basic food prices.
– An irony
 The arrival of the Japanese soldiers

signaled no resentment from the

Filipino war veterans.
The Unconventional or NOVELTY lead

 It uses any device that will attract

attention, arouse curiosity, or sustain
interest. It adds vigor and color to
writing and does not contain the
gist of the story, but merely serves as
an introduction.
The NOVELTY lead is used:
♣ When the facts are not entirely
straight news.
♣ When the facts maybe made much
more interesting by a novel way of
presenting them.
♣ When the purpose is to arouse the
reader’s interest.
Types of Novelty leads:
Narrative Lead – It draws the reader
into the story by allowing him to relate himself
with the characters.
December 1999. With the Y2K scare and end-
of-the millennium jitters hovering in the air, I
found myself in a book store for some last
minute shopping. I was looking for the abridged
versions of the classic Heidi and the Secret
Garden to give to my nieces when I saw a
vaguely familiar title: The lady or the Tiger. As I
traced the embossed title, a particular memory
flooded my consciousness.
Descriptive lead
It illustrates a mental picture of the subject to
the reader. This is effective in writing a
personality sketch.
The night fell as we descended the summit
of Mt. Makiling. The cicadas were sending us
off with their choir. While walking, we couldn’t
stop imagining the possible appearance
of Maria Makiling, who according
to legend, is the goddess
of this mountain.
Quotation lead
This statement is uttered by well-
known person or celebrity.
“You stole the presidency, not only
once but twice.” Shouted Susan Roces,
widow of Fernando Poe Jr., during a
gathering of the opposition, denouncing
Pres. Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo’s alleged vote
rigging during the
2004 election.
Question lead
A thought provoking question to capture the
interest of reader and lead them to find the
answer provided by the succeeding details of
the article.
When was the last time I told my father
I loved him? I wish I could tell
him a thousand times how
much I love him now, but he is
already heedless inside
his coffin.
Teaser
A device to deceive the reader in a jesting manner
to arouse his curiosity and gently lead him into the
story. It is generally short, crisp and witty. Mostly
suggestive and humorous.
Which comes first, the hen or the egg? Well,
egg could not be made possible
without the hen. But where
does the hen come from?
Punch lead
It is short, striking one-sentence lead.
Hungry farmers are selling not only their
carabaos but also their children.

Freak lead - it uses typographical effects to

enhance its appeal.

Wanted: Filipino doctors and nurses.

This is the appeal of several government-owned
hospitals which face closure due to the exodus
of many Pinoy doctors and nurses abroad.
Astonisher lead
 It uses an exclamatory sentence.

NSPC 2006 Champion!

Bold red letters printed on a three-meter long
streamer was over the gate of the New Era
University when the Hudyat, Official Student
Publication of the Elementary Department
won as Best School Paper during the
National Schools Press Conference held in
Kalibo, Aklan, February 22-26.
One word lead
•It uses a very significant word to capture
or arouse the interest of the reader.
Bang!
Sprinters from the different divisions of the
National Capital Region zoomed bullets to the
finishing line in a 100-meter dash
during the National Capital Region
Athletic Association (NCRAA),
Meet held at Amoranto Stadium,
Quezon City, April 1-6.
Parody lead
It consists of a parody of a well-known
quotation, song, poem, book or movie film
title.
“You only live once, but if you live it
right, once is enough.” This familiar adage
proved true to Clarence Castillo,a young boy
who died while rescuing his younger
brother at the height of flooding
in Infanta town in Quezon
last year for he was posthumously
awarded for his bravery.
Background lead
It describes an event in which the background
overshadows the individual who participate in
it; often use stories about carnivals, festivals,
dances and others.
It was like the school was put in a time
machine and was led back to the past when
teachers and students who participated in the
Buwan ng Wika program, gathered in front of
the four-storey building garbed in old
Filipiniana costumes.
Contrast lead
* it is used to point up opposites and
extremes.
Four years ago, she fought for the
installation of Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo
as President of the Philippines through
EDSA II Revolution. Today, former
President Corazon Aquino
is calling for GMA’s
resignation.
Staccato lead
Usually consists of series of words
or phrases, punctuated by periods,
commas or dashes.

Neglected. Denuded. Abused. and

Abandoned. This is the real picture of our forest
today.
 Steps in Writing and Organizing the
Feature Article
♦ Body
– Background and other vital
information
– A thread should be present
– Transition words
– Dialogue
– Voice
Steps in Writing and Organizing the
Feature Article
 Testyour limits, push your use of
language and your ability to set a
scene.
– You are the Storyteller now.
– There’s no one right way to write, and
there’s no single best way for you to tell
your story.
Steps in Writing and Organizing the
Feature Article
 Try to make your reader feel like
they are there.
– Your writing can trigger all five senses!
– You can think of a feature story as a
series of mental images,
presented one after the other.
– Well-described scenes results to a
beautiful montage
 Tips for Writing Feature Articles
 What differentiates a feature article from
any regular informative or news article is
the novelty of style, delivery and
wordplay that the author uses to create a
light, informative reading. Feature articles
give writers more breathing space
to express one's writing style and to tackle
the topic in question in a more creative and
less straightforward manner.
 Originality is vital to a successful feature
article, which is something a writer
builds through time and experience,
but for starters, there are only a few
fundamental steps to keep in
mind, and you're on your
way to becoming
a good feature
writer.
1. Keep a brainstorming notebook handy
 It's
always handy to keep a pad of paper or
a small notebook within convenient reach.
Ideas don't just come whenever we want
them to, and they often hit us at the
most unexpected places
and during the most
unexpected times.
 If you've ever been hit with a brilliant idea
while you're on the road or out on the hiking
trail, you know what I mean.
 Besides, many potential ideas take time to
nurse and develop so you can come up with a
good article. It's a huge advantage to always
have something to scribble those fleeting
thoughts on whenever they come
along, so you can go back and
review them when it's time
to wind down.
2. Do your research
 The most important step to any successful
article is, more often than not, the one
that's most overlooked. Do your research!
What decides an article's worth is its
credibility, and only good, solid research
can give you that. Whatever discussion
you tackle must be backed by accurate
facts and data that you can reliably source
should your article come under fire.
3. Start with something light, like an
anecdote or a descriptive passage
 What good will writing a thousand-some
word article be if you can't entice an
audience to pick it up and read? Any
article should start with something that
would pique the interest of readers and
endorse your article as an interesting piece.
Your first paragraph, or your first sentence
for the matter, can either make or break
you.
 It's
your most potent and effective marketing
tool in getting your article across to more
readers.
 One of the most popular techniques would be
to start by relating an interesting or comical
anecdote that would introduce your topic. A
catchy scenario or passage will also do the job
perfectly. Also, after reading your first few
paragraphs, your reader should
already be able to grasp what
your article's about.
4. KISS (Keep it short and simple)
 Don't subject your reader to the equivalent
of linguistic torture. A feature article, after
all, is supposed to be light, entertaining
and informative. A winding article that
goes through all the nitty-gritties
of your topic is testing
the patience of the reader.
 Choose only a good amount of detail to
include in your discussion; you don't have
to tackle the less important aspects of your
topic.
 Give the most vital pieces of information
that you want to get across,
and choose the details
that go along with it.
However, be
careful that you
don't omit too
much detail that
you end up with
a vague outline
for an article.
A good technique is to always keep in mind
your target audience. If you're writing an
article on diving for general sports
enthusiasts, you don't have to go through the
trouble of explaining technical aspects
because it will only bore your readers.
On the other hand, the detail is something
you'd consider writing about
more profusely if you're
writing for a diving magazine.
5. Hold it with the highfalutin language
 It's good to drop profound vocabulary into
your article now and then, because aside
from enriching your readers, they do add to
the aestheric effect of an article. It's good,
too, to know your limits. Dropping in too
many "big", highfalutin words
is the equivalent of suicide;
you'll drive your readers
away without even trying.
 Think of the experience of reading through
a medical textbook without any medical
background; the technical jargon will be
enough to give you a headache and work as
a natural soporific. Knowing when and how
to impress is the key when it comes
to word selection, so save off
the temptation of loading
up on the big guns.
6. Reread your article
 As any writer knows, mental fatigue can set
in pretty quickly doing this sort of work.
Rereading your article will give you time and
space to objectively reevaluate your article,
add new ideas and tweak it to come up with
something better.
 This also gives you time to proofread your
article for grammatical or typographical
errors.
 There'sno surefire way to ensuring a
successful article, and a writer's only
tools are vocabulary and creativity.
These steps are but a simple guide to
the writing process, which is a complex
and sometimes grueling undertaking.
 Remember this:
It takes a lot of patience and
experience to overcome hurdles and
produce good quality output, but at
the end of the day, you'd find
that writing can be an
extremely noble
and rewarding
task.