What is a feature article?
A feature article is a longer piece of writing that differs from news stories in style, pace and structure. Typically, it covers a person, event or social trend and explores it in depth. They can be found in newspapers, magazines and online websites. They also appear in an organization’s internal communications.
What are the steps in writing a feature?
First, identify the topic you want to write about. This will help you form an opinion on the subject and will give you a basis for your arguments. It will also help you determine the best way to convey your message.
* Ensure that you have a solid understanding of the topic: research widely – facts, statistics, different sides of the story and quotes.
Once you have a good idea of what you are going to write about, you can draft your article in outline form. This will keep you organized and will make sure that you stay on track.
When you are finished with your outline, start to write your actual feature article. Follow your outline as closely as possible, but be willing to change it if necessary.
Use a strong and clear voice when writing your feature article, but be sure to avoid too many adjectives or adverbs that are overused. This will make your writing sound more natural and professional.
Don’t forget to include quotes from your interviewee – this will help to bring the story to life and will make it more authentic. If you are not sure how to do this, talk to your editor and they can help you with this part of the process.
Describe the setting and people in your feature: this will make it more interesting for readers and will also pique their interest. You can use a variety of different techniques to do this, including writing descriptive sentences, using specific images or even writing up an audio interview with your interviewee.
Create a hook for your feature: A well-written and informative headline is the most important component of a feature. The headline will grab the reader’s attention and hold it throughout the article, so it is crucial that it is concise, catchy and accurate.
Be sure to include a headline and a body paragraph that summarizes the main points of your article. This will ensure that your article has a strong, clear flow and will keep the reader interested in what they are reading.
Don’t info-dump: Don’t include all your information in the beginning, but don’t leave it out if you have to. You should always include all the relevant details in your article, but space them out so that they don’t take over.
Check the spelling and punctuation of your feature: Often, editors will ask you to proofread your features, so be sure that everything is correct before sending them off to publication. Be sure to double-check the spelling of your interviewee’s name and other important details, so that they are readable.
