Lecture 7: Feature Writing

Question 1

What is feature writing?

Answer 1

feature writing can be defined as news you don’t need to know, but news you want to know.

Question 2

Whats different about feature writing compared to news writing?

Answer 2

• “the what” is critical
• Leads can be creative
• Has an obvious beginning, middle and end.
• Most visible in magazines and spepcialized journals rather than news papers.

Question 3

What are the three elements of feature writing as discussed in class?

Answer 3

• humanizing your story (emotionally connect the audience)
• Integrate observed details. (using emotional imagery)
• Incorporate direct quotes and background throughout the story.

Question 4

What are the five main types of feature writing as discussed in class?

Answer 4

1. How-Tos
2. Personality profiles
3. Historical Writing
4. Science and Technical Writing
5. Investigative Article

Question 5

What are the elements of how-to documents?

Answer 5

• the writer must thouroughly know the subject or know someone who does.
• Keep it consise.
• Logical progression. (clear, consise, and effecient writing)
• Very short lead.
• Visible quality.
• parallel structure.
• give same amount of space to each point.
• Use lists, subheadings, and examples.

Question 6

What are the elements of personality profiles?

Answer 6

○ signifigance
○ purpose
○ information
○ human interest
○ timeliness (connection to the present)
○ focus
○ effect (impact that it has on the audience)
○ context

Question 7

What are the elements of Historical Writing?

Answer 7

○ Don't avoid the obvious (dont assume peoples knowledge of the audience
matches yours)
○ Very descriptive
○ Don't tell the story, show it
○ Exhaust your sources

Question 8

What are the elements of science and technical writing?

Answer 8

○ Short sentences
○ "no room for ambiguity"
○ Up­to­the­minute knowledge about what is new in the field.
○ Use analogies
- Avoid jargon

Question 9

What are the elements of an investigative article?

Answer 9

○ in­depth reporting
○ set the scene­ use narrative format
○ Multiple sources
■ quotes create authenticity
■ or first person narative
○ Significant details
○ Be aware of legal implications

Question 10

What five main elements does feature writing use?

Answer 10

● Description
● quotes
● tone
● unifying elements
● organization

Question 11

What are the advantages of feature writing?

Answer 11

■ Selected audience
■ pass along readership
■ long shelf life
■ use of color and visuals
■ human interest focus

Question 12

What are the disadvantages of feature writing?

Answer 12

■ Deadlines may be months in advance
■ Duplication of circulation
■ Market is unlikely to be local