Chapter 6 & 7: Writing Feature Stories and The Newsroom Flashcards
According to the dictionary, this means “a special attraction, a distinctive characteristic, or an appearance”.
feature
When used in journalism, it means a style of writing that takes an in-depth look at a specific aspect of reality, whether it is about a current event, trend, or person.
Feature
Features are often termed as _ because they have more room for creative expression, and not because it is a “dumbing down” of content.
soft news
Features are not fiction. It is as obsessed with facts as a news story and the _ of effective writing.
5Cs
The story structure of the feature usually takes the form of an _, rarely does it take the literary form, with its rising action before the climax.
inverted pyramid
Unlike a straight news article, a feature does have an?
introductory lead, body, conclusion
Features are usually _ between literary writing and newswriting.
hybrids
Features use this as take-off point for the rising action.
journalistic alternative lead
Some features, especially this, can abandon form all together and simply be a Q&A, or a stylized question followed by the answer of the source.
short profiles
Help the flow of the story with the use of _ such as “moreover,” “thus,” “in a similar vein,” among others.
transitional phrases
This should make an impact on your readers and serve to tie your story together.
Conclusion
A _ often makes a good ending but you may opt to do a full circle by referring back to a word or an image used in your lead paragraph.
powerful quote
For newspapers, these are the most common types of features.
- News Feature
- Profile
- Trend Story
- Historical Feature
- Human Interest
- Service Feature
Unlike news, it does not have to be tied to a breaking story, although it should also be new and timely.
feature
e.g., a straight news story could be about the contents of the president’s State of the Nation Address; while a _ could be about the fashionable gowns worn by the female legislators.
news feature
This can also support the daily coverage by giving the readers a more in-depth understanding of the headlines, or it can discuss a situation that you see on your way to school.
News Feature
In April 2016, VERA Files released a story on “The Aquino Legacy: What has the administration done for PWDs?”. This news feature highlights the recent passage of the tax exemption law for persons with disabilities. Who is the contributing reporter that wrote this?
Jake Soriano
_ could also be about a news event that can covered more in-depth than daily beat reporting.
News features
How many heads of state came to the Philippines for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2006 where most newspapers ran a special feature on the significance of the summit and the possible benefits to the country?
14
Churned out daily reports about the agreements signed or the progress of talks during that week-long gathering.
Beat reporters
A feature on a person or place, either because of its prominence or in relation to an event. It takes a look at people from the world of sports, entertainment, politics, science, technology, business, health, international development, community activism, education, the military, fine arts or any other field.
Profile
Who wrote the entertainment profile of Gary Valenciano titled “Gary V reveals regrets, highs in his 23-year career” with a simple Q&A format?
Ruben V. Nepales
When using this type of format (Q&A format), the writer should start with a _ to explain the context of the Q&A.
short introduction
A common type of feature in the entertainment/arts and leisure pages of a newspaper.
Trend Story
Generally seasonal because they report trends in fashion and lifestyle, which change twice a year.
Trend stories