how do you write a feature story for a newspaper

How do you write a feature story for a newspaper?

• Choose an interesting, newsworthy subject.
• Schedule a convenient, in-person interview.
• Choose your quotes.
• Write your draft.
• Ask for approval/clarification before publishing.
• Move forward.

Full Answer

How do I write a feature story?

There are a number of ways to write a feature, depending on what you want to focus on. Some of these include: Human Interest: Many feature stories focus on an issue as it impacts people. They often focus on one person or a group of people.

How do you write a feature article in a newspaper?

You want your article to be thought provoking, but also very thorough, covering as many angles as you can. End with a concluding paragraph that wraps up the most salient points of your article. A feature story is the main, front-page article found on your newspaper.

How do you end a feature story in a newspaper?

End with a concluding paragraph that wraps up the most salient points of your article. A feature story is the main, front-page article found on your newspaper. It should have the largest title, the most compelling images, and provoke the most thought and discussion.

How do you write a good news story?

You don’t need to follow the “inverted pyramid” style of writing that conveys the “who, what, where, when and why” of a news story. Instead, choose a more inventive way to write a story. Some possible formats may include: Start by describing a dramatic moment and then uncover the history that led up to that moment.

What are the seven steps to writing a feature story?

The seven steps to write a feature article are:Select the Topic.Target Audience.Research the Topic.Outline the Steps.Start the Writing Process.Propose Recommendation and Caution.Edit and Proofread.

How is a feature story written?

Steps to Writing Feature Articles. Like most articles, a feature story follows a specific format and outline. There will always be a title/headline, deck, introduction, body, and conclusion. A good feature article contextualizes the story so it's relatable and immediately relevant to the reader.

What is a feature story in a newspaper?

A feature story is a piece of longform non-fiction content that covers a single topic in detail. Examples of feature stories include news features, in-depth profiles, human interest stories, science communication, data storytelling, and more.

What is a feature story example?

An example of a feature story is an article about a group of children coming together to raise money to help the community after a storm. The damage from the storm may be featured on the news, but a feature article would be about the children and how they helped.

How do I start feature writing?

Five tips on how to write a feature article:1) Find the right market. A good writer begins by finding the right audience for their work before developing the content. ... 2) Develop a strong angle. ... 3) Keep it factual. ... 4) Provide added value. ... 5) Edit your work.

What makes a good feature story?

Feature stories are descriptive and full of detail. Feature stories generally have a strong narrative line. Feature stories have a strong lead that grabs readers and makes them want to read on. Feature stories often depend on interviews.

What is an example of a feature?

An example of feature is freckles. An example of feature is a guest speaker at an event. An example of feature is a cover story in a magazine. An example of feature is a new movie coming out.

How do you write a news feature?

Want to Hook Your Readers? Apply These 10 Principles to Create Captivating News StoriesBegin with the most important facts first. ... Make your text thorough but succinct. ... Use the active tense. ... Communicate what's new or different. ... Focus on human interest. ... Avoid jargon. ... Write acronyms out in full in the first reference.More items...•

How long is a feature story?

They usually average between 300-500 words. Feature stories are often more wordy and they have a creative structure. Feature stories can be more than 2000 words.

How long are feature stories in newspapers?

1000 wordsA feature story is usually the longest article in your newspaper, above 1000 words. Typically, you only want to have one of them per issue.

How do you write a headline for a feature story?

To come up with a good headline, pretend you're telling a friend what the article's about, explaining the most interesting aspects of your story. Keep the wording simple, and avoid superlatives and emotive language. Also, avoid using a brand or client name in the headline unless it's very well known.

What Are Feature Stories?

Most people think of a feature story as something soft and puffy, written for the arts or fashion section of the newspaper or website. But in fact, features can be about any subject, from the fluffiest lifestyle piece to the toughest investigative report. Features aren't found just in the back pages of the paper, the ones that focus on things like home decor and music reviews. Features are found in every section of the paper, from news to business to sports. Feature stories aren't defined so much by subject matter as they are by the style they are written in. In other words, anything written in a feature-oriented way is a feature story.

What is the difference between a hard news story and a feature story?

Some are better-written than others, but they all exist to fulfill a simple purpose: to convey information. Feature stories, on the other hand, aim to do much more . They do convey facts, 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, including description, a greater use of quotes, anecdotes, and sometimes extensive background information.

Why do editors like adjectives?

Editors like the use of verbs because they convey action and give a story a sense of movement and momentum.

What is a hard news lede?

Hard-news ledes need to get all the important points of the story—the who, what, where, when, why, and how—into the very first sentence. Feature ledes, sometimes called delayed ledes, unfold more slowly. They allow the writer to tell a story in a more traditional, narrative way. The objective, of course, is to draw the reader into the story, to make them want to read more.

What do you write in a review?

Newbies who aren’t quite confident in their opinions often write wishy-washy reviews. They write sentences like, “I sort of enjoyed this,” or, “That was OK, though not great.” They’re afraid to take a strong stand for fear of being challenged.

What are the different types of news stories?

Just as there are different kinds of hard-news stories, there are different kinds of features. Some of the main types include: 1 The profile: An in-depth look at a newsmaker or other personality 2 The news feature: A hard-news subject told in feature style 3 The trend story: A breezy look at a current cultural phenomenon 4 The spot feature: A quick, deadline-produced story, usually a sidebar to a hard-news story that gives another perspective 5 The live-in: In-depth piece of a place and the people who live or work there

Is writing a good review a real art?

But writing great reviews is a real art that many have tried, but few have mastered.

What is a feature story?

A feature story is the main, front-page article found on your newspaper. It should have the largest title, the most compelling images, and provoke the most thought and discussion.

What is a blend of news articles?

It is a blend of a news article with a bit of interpretation of the facts without giving an opinion as to what the solution should be. It can be written like a News Article, but it does more than just report the news. It interprets the news. It makes predictions on the consequences of the event or action being reported.

Why do you start with all the facts first?

Like most news articles, you start with all the important facts first so that your readers don’t have to guess what the articles is about or why you’re writing it :

What is an analysis of the reasons behind the new dress code?

References to other articles from other reputable sources on dress codes. An analysis of problems the dress code is supposed to solve and if it will be effective based on data supplied by other schools doing something similar.

What are the steps to writing a news feature?

Each writer has his own style, which may differ from subject to subject. This is what makes news features unique. The six points that should be kept in mind while writing a news feature are: Step 1. Story mapping: The first step requires exploration of all possible angles.

What is a news feature?

A news feature brings out the best in a reporter. It reflects the reporter’s writing skills and hard work. It is built around a news point and has plenty of information to hold reader attention. There is no one single way in which a news feature can be written. Each writer has his own style, which may differ from subject to subject.

Can you stray into areas that are not relevant to your immediate focus?

But make sure you stick to the themes that you have selected. Your feature should not stray into areas that are not relevant to your immediate focus.

What should an article cover in a news article?

The article should open with the subject’s connection to the news event and should deal later with birth, family, education, career and hobbies, unless one of those happens to be the focus of the story.

What is profile feature?

A “profile feature” is a newspaper article that explores the background and character of a particular person (or group). The focus should be on a news angle or a single aspect of the subject’s personal or professional life. The article should begin with the reason the subject is newsworthy at this time, and should be based (not exclusively) ...

Why is biographical material important?

Biographical material is important, but should not be overemphasized: the biography is background to the news. Readers should be allowed to better understand the subject by seeing this person in the context of his or her interests and career, educational and family background.

What is the focus of feature stories?

Human Interest: Many feature stories focus on an issue as it impacts people. They often focus on one person or a group of people.

What is a feature article?

Writing a feature article involves using creativity and research to give a detailed and interesting take on a subject. These types of articles are different from typical news stories in that they often are written in a different style and give much more details and description rather than only stating objective facts.

How to observe a job interview?

If you want to observe them doing a job, ask if they can bring you to their workplace. Asking if your interviewee will teach you a short lesson about what they do can also be excellent , as it will give you some knowledge of the experience to use when you write.

How many testimonials does wikihow have?

wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 41 testimonials and 81% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status.

What is a headline in a story?

A headline should be action-oriented and should convey why the story is important. It should grab the reader and draw them into the article. If you want to convey slightly more information, write a sub-headline, which is a secondary sentence that builds on the headline.

What is the difference between a newspaper and a magazine?

If you are writing for a magazine or blog with a very specific topic, such as gardening, then you will likely need to tailor your feature article to reflect that interest in some way. A newspaper, on the other hand, is meant for a more general audience and may be more open to varied content.

How to find interesting stories?

Find a compelling story. Read the news and talk to people to find interesting stories. Think about what phenomena are happening and how you can talk about them in a new and innovative way.