Feature Writing

Jerry M. Noveno
Instruction Specialist III
Philippine Science High SchoolBicol Region Campus
Goa, Camarines Sur

WHAT A FEATURE STORY IS

It is simply not a news story
The differences being:
1. Treatment of issue (news have no room for opinions,
feature stories can be opinionated);
2. The depth of research (news are somewhat shallow,
features go in-depth)
3. The style of writing (news are formal, features can
be
flashy, informal)
4. Structure of the piece (inverted pyramid for news,
normal
pyramid for features)

 It is not an editorial or opinion

piece
Features can use either the
perspective of a first person to
project engagement or the second or
third person to maintain distance.
It is not an academic paper
Features are written in a way that
avoids the use of jargons and
complex language that cannot be
easily understood by a general

What is a feature article?

Offers insights about people, places, things
or events that we encounter daily but to
which we pay little attention
Often exposes human emotion or feelings
Focuses on the most interesting, not
necessarily the most important, part of a
story

 Is always based on facts, not fiction

Presents and provides the human
dimension to an event
It tends to be original and descriptive;
original in ideas and writing skills
It is based on that mysterious ingredient in
journalism called human interest---an event
that appeals to us because we can relate to
it

QUALITIES OF FEATURES
1. It contains an introduction, body,
and conclusion.
2. The contents are based on the
writers development of ideas.
3. Can have complex narration or
presentation, if suspended interest
structure is used.
4. It often reflects the personality,
tendencies, beliefs, and aspirations
of the writer.

5. It includes quotations from principal

characters, experts, and variety of
sources.
6. It can use the elements of fiction
and informal writing.
7. It can use photographs, charts,
sidebars or boxes, drawings,
diagrams, among others to reinforce
the message and bring life and color
to the subject.

TYPES OF FEATURES
Features are human interest stories
that speak of people, places, and
situations. They tend to be descriptive
and original in ideas and writing skills.
But they can go beyond description.
(THERE ARE NO LESS THAN 14
TYPES OF FEATURES.)

1. NEWS BEHIND THE NEWS STORIES

An in-depth look at the stories behind a current news.

2. PERSONALITY SKETCH/PROFILE
Profile stories of the rich and the famous. Readers want to
know the hidden traits and lives of famous personalities.

3. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STORIES

They concentrate on the latest advancement in science
and technology with the aim of informing the readers and
arousing their interests

4. HUMAN APPEAL STORIES

They are also called concerned stories. They expose
burning issues which need urgent solutions. These stories
show the magnitude of the problem through cases,

anecdotes, and quotable quotes. These features

highlight the dramatic condition and experiences
of certain groups of people. They are written
using heart-piercing presentations which evoke
emotional responses the readers.

5. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL

FEATURES
Historical events and sites can provide readers a
sense of identity. By comparing the present to the
past, they can see how time has changed their
environment, culture, values and perspectives.

6. HOW-TO AND WHAT-TO-DO

FEATURES

7. BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT

FEATURES
They provide a glimpse and insight on the business world
and the development of certain sector or area. This writing
requires a working knowledge and special interest on the
workings and operations of the business community.

8. LIFE STYE FEATURES

Changing fashion trends and life-styles makes an
interesting reading.

9. ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES
Movie stars, pop singers, and show business events are
common subjects. The goal is to entertain and give relief
to people.

10. HOBBY FEATURES

They interest the readers who are into exceptional hobbies.

11. CAREER FEATURES

They focus on career guidance, tips or issues.

12. SEASONAL THEMES

These articles magnify the significance and relevance of

holidays, anniversaries, and special events.
13. TRAVEL FEATURES

These features highlight the beauty of interacting with

people and places. They offer endorsements and
guidelines on places where money would be worth
spending. Travel feature writers demand exceptional
descriptive and narrative skills.

14. INSIDER FEATURE

Insiders look at unusual occupations, issues, or
events which are hidden from the public. Readers
are attracted to unusual details or well-kept
secrets about procedures or activities they might
not ordinarily be exposed to or allowed to
participate in.

THE EFFECTIVE FEATURE WRITER

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Is a keen observer;
Has an analytical mind;
Is a wide reader;
Is a frequent writer;
Clearly presents the message;
Is eloquent or able to express ideas
in a grand manner; and
7. Is a master of language.

THE STAGES OF WRITING

A FEATURE
1. PRE-WRITING
2. WRITING
3. REVISING
PRE-WRITING
Before setting the first draft, plan, research, gather
data, organize information. Planning involves
finding out what you should write about and your
purpose. WHAT TO SAY & HOW TO SAY IT.

Limit the topic. Choose the theme. Narrow down

and focus. (THEME, SUBJECT, TOPIC)

WRITING
Know the level of consciousness and knowledge
of your audience. Find out if they read for
entertainment, information, analysis, or
commentaries. This will make your article more
responsive and sensitive to the issues and
concerns of the reader.
Observe the normal pyramid structure.

THE INTRODUCTION
Should be able to hook the readers.
The body should sustain the interest.
The conclusion should help the reader
remember the story.
AN INTRODUCTION WITH A PUNCH

The introduction serves as a taste test for

the rest of the article.

WAYS TO DEVELOP THE LEAD

1.Question lead asks the readers
questions which the article will try to
explore and discuss.
Whos does not know Facebook?
Did you know that shopping malls
are not safe?

2. Startling statements or exclamation

leads to compel attention.
a. Freedom!
b. Thats incredible! A college graduate at
12 years old?
3. Striking statement lead is enticing
piece of information in a short punchy
format. It adds suspense.
If you think that children do not
understand google maps, think again.

4. Descriptive lead can draw the reader

into the story by creating a strong
image in his or her mind. The words are
colorful and concrete enough for the
reader to appreciate and feel the ideas
presented in the story.
The island wears a human face. Its
tranquility is mirrored by the blue
ocean. Its white sands and waving
palms can comfort a weary soul.

5. Summary lead sums up the

general topic of the story (but does
not follow the inverted pyramid).
At an early age, Andoy and Badong
serve as breadwinners for their
families by selling cigarettes and
newspapers by day and night. They
represent the growing number of
child workers in poor urban
communities.

6. Anecdotal lead relies on a

conversational tone to create an
intimacy between the reader, the writer
and the characters in the article. It is
loaded with specific details.
David met Grace in a five-star hotel bar in
Bangkok. David, in his tuxedo, was
mesmerized by the beauty of the Chineselooking female in red gown. Can I offer you a
drink? the bachelor asked with confidence.
The woman did not refuse the gentle offer.
They talked and smiled. That was three years
ago. They now have two lovely daughters.

7. Quotation lead relies on an arresting quote.

The selected quotes reinforce the message of
the article.

Honesty is the best policy.

8. Contrast lead, the writer sets off his subject
with two apparently contradictory pieces of
information. This is to emphasize two
contending ideas or events.
Three days ago, Mang Kanor was driving his
boss to work. This morning, he was seen driving
his own car, the very first souvenir he bought
for winning the jackpot prize in lottery.

9. Break formal lead leaves to the reader s

imagination the things that happened in
between events.
He said he would. And he did.
10. Character lead, which introduces the
central person in a story. These are most
common in personality profiles or stories in
which you use an individual to represent a
larger topic. Here's an example tied in to the
national park setting:
Marvin Wells always seems to have a smile on
his face - even when his truck won't start in the
morning.

PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT
Some techniques used to develop paragraphs and
sentences:
1. Improve the simple narration strategy by
magnifying the character of a person or an event.
Instead of saying that Pedro is happy, sad or angry
try to reconstruct the sentence by saying that,
Pedro was so happy that he kissed the forehead
and cheeks of Mario and hugged him tight.
2. Avoid using ambiguous modifiers such as tall,
short, fat, thin.
Say: Pedro was so short that he had to climb up
the acacia tree to see the parading soldiers.

3. Animate verbs and work for sounds.

Add color to the actions of the
characters. Instead of drank
quickly, write gulped, walked
quietly tiptoed.
4. Use the active voice.
5. Avoid cliches by reconstructing
them.

6. Play with figures of speech.

a. simile
b. metaphor
c. personification
7. Vary sentence length. This is to
emphasize thought.

CONCLUSION
It is a rule that the ending of a
feature story should be glorious
and must show the reader that the
time they invested in reading the
piece was well-spent. It must
remind them of the main message
and idea of the article.

HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO END YOU

FEATURE STORY

1. Summarize the key points of the

story.
Ex.: Emilias message is simple: We,
the hope of the future, must prepare
our glasses to catch each and every
single precious drop of knowledge.
2. The argument conclusion mentions
the main point of the article for the
first time based on previous
discussions.

3. Straightforward question is effective in

challenging the readers and making
them think through the story.
Ex.: Would you let malnutrition take the
better of us?
4. Offering solutions and
recommendations help the readers
make informed choices.
Ex.: It is never wrong to give ourselves
some time to relax in this busy world.

5. Forecast or prediction shows a good

understanding of the arguments and the
implications of current situation to the future.
This conclusion offers inferences on the future
based on the foregoing arguments.
Ex.: Given his determination to conquer his
fears, it is never impossible for Dave to become
the person he wants to be.
6. Appropriate quotations are effective in
dramatizing the main points raised by the article.
Ex.: Indeed, honesty is still the best policy.

POST-WRITING
Edit your article for clarity and
grammatical correctness. Refine your
sentences, find better choices for
words, cut out unnecessary phrases,
ensure your story flows in a coherent
manner.

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Educa
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(Example of personal experience feature)

(This personal experience feature was written by 17- year-old
Filipina, Dahlia Valeroso, who graduated valedictorian from the
Ulysses S. Grant High School in Los Angeles, California in the summer
of 1991. The essay, which tells of her nostalgic moments as a child in
the Philippines, having grown up with her grandmother, won for her a
$1,000 prize and the chance to enroll under a partial scholarship at
the prestigious Stanford University in California.)

The Importance of a College Education

By Dahlia
Valeroso

It is unusual for Southern California to

experience an outpouring of rain. Hearing
the raindrops pelting my roof is magical in
itself, yet is made more special by an
outpouring of memories.

On rainy days like this one, I sat on my

grandmothers lap as a child. With hot
cocoa in hand, I listened attentively to the
stories she told. With humble pride in her
eyes, she used to recall the struggles she
and her children had weathered. My
grandfather died early in life, leaving her
with burden of raising a family of six. It is
evident that even today this would have
been a trying situation to anyone. How my
grandmother managed to financially
support six children with barely an
elementary education is still a mystery to

Even more impressive was her

perseverance in furthering her childrens
education. In a small town where most
people were content with an elementary
education, her dogged pursuit of college
diplomas for all of her children was
scorned and laughed at by her neighbors.
They incessantly asked, Why would
anyone go to the trouble of sending her
kids to school when she barely has the
money for food? Shes just showing off by
trying to do what is out of her reach.

My grandmother remained undaunted by

these cruel and scornful remarks. She
sweated and toiled immensely every year in
order to assure sufficient funds for her
childrens education. Luckily enough, she
received full cooperation from all her children,
who possessed the same unusual dedication
and desire for further education that she had.
They did their part by walking several miles
to and from school. Rain did not hinder them;
they trudged on with nothing but banana
leaves to scantily give them shelter.
Nevertheless, all the six children refused to
allow any barriers in the pursuit of their goals.

My grandmother now has three teachers, one

journalist, who is also a published author, one
accountant, and an engineer for her offsprings. I
regret missing the chance to witness the silent
pride in her misty eyes as each one of her
children walked across the stage to receive his
or her hard-earned and well-deserved diploma.
Yet, I can see her expression vividly. Is it
because of my mothers clear description when
she recounted the family struggles? No, I must
have seen that look in my grandmother eyes
myself. It was last week when I told I was
graduating as class valedictorian. Her response
was simply to take me in her arms and whisper,
Keep up the tradition of academic excellence.

My grandmother is now 72 years old. It

almost made me cry when she pointed
out that she might not see me receive my
own college diploma. Still, I am
heartened by the fact that I will bring joy
to her come June 19, 1991, my high
school graduation day. Even if she does
not live long enough to share my next
triumph, I will hold dear in my heart her
request and will keep up the tradition of
academic excellence in my family.

Thank you!