Feature writing is a powerful tool that can help you do just that. Whether you’re a beginner writer or a seasoned pro, understanding the tips, types, and importance of feature writing can take your writing to the next level.
This unique form of journalism goes beyond just reporting the facts. It delves deep into the human experience, emotions, and storytelling to engage and connect with readers on a personal level. Whether you’re writing for a newspaper, magazine, or blog, mastering the art of feature writing can help you stand out in a sea of content.
In this article, we will explore the tips, types, and importance of feature writing. From how to craft a compelling narrative to the different styles of feature writing, we will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to elevate your writing and captivate your audience. Whether you’re a budding journalist or a seasoned writer, feature writing is a skill that every writer should have in their toolbox.
What Is Feature Writing?
A feature article is the main news-related article in a magazine or newspaper that highlights a particular person, place, or event in great detail. This type of article gives more in-depth information on a matter rather than regular articles and news stories.
Feature articles paint pictures with words, capture emotions, and weave facts into narratives that hit home. In this type of writing, the readers get a full view of the news through the infusion of relatable information and storytelling.
Keep reading to find out some tips on how to write a good feature article.
Importance Of Feature Articles In Writing?
Features are more in-depth than traditional news stories and go beyond providing the most important facts. The main aim of feature articles is to provide a detailed description of a place, person, idea, or organization.
The main purpose of feature writing is to connect with the emotions of its readers as much as possible. A feature article written for a newspaper is a more useful news feature than an editorial, according to Reuters.
Unlike news stories that adopt the inverted pyramid style while presenting information, features adopt storytelling techniques that help the readers connect with the subject of discussion and the overall narrative being shared.
One of the remarkable importance of feature writing is its informativeness. Every feature story is full of details and explanations. Each line is described robustly to inform the readers and also arouse the interest of the readers to read it till the end.
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Types of Feature Writing
The world of writing is diverse and dynamic, offering a wide range of writing styles tailored for different moments and audiences. There are different types of feature writing, each with a unique approach and purpose. Let’s take a look at the 10 distinct types of feature writing.
1. Human Interest Stories
A human interest story focuses on individuals or groups. It borders more on personal achievements, dramatic events, or everyday life struggles. The aim of this writing is to evoke emotion from readers and create an engaging narrative around people’s experiences.
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2. News Features
Undoubtedly the most prevalent kind of feature articles, news features explore current events and offer in-depth justifications for their occurrences, all the while exploring possible ramifications. These stories offer background and insight in addition to factual reporting.
3. Lifestyle Features
Lifestyle feature stories talk more about how life can be improved or enjoyed more fully. This type of feature writing offers tips and advice ranging from fitness routines to meditation techniques. They aim to enhance your readers’ lives by offering practical solutions for common problems or introducing them to new ideas that might enrich their day-to-day lives.
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4. Seasonal Features
These articles highlight issues, events, or activities that are exclusive to a given season; examples include festivals, holidays, and seasonal fashions.
If you’re a writer or content developer, you most likely have a calendar with deadlines for different kinds of feature stories marked. Planning and structuring them is a noteworthy benefit of these features, which is a luxury that is not always possible with traditional news items.
5. Interview Pieces
In this type of feature, the writer interviews individuals to find out more information, opinions, and personal stories relating to the subject of the article. The article often presents a narrative based on these interviews.
6. Color Stories
Color stories go beyond the facts and atmosphere of hard news, they lend an extra layer of information and slant to every news story.
This writing enables readers to vividly feel the experience of being at a particular event, fostering a deeper understanding of the issues and implications embedded in a story.
7. Profile Features
Profile features writing simply talks about the life and times of a particular person, providing an in-depth look into their life, achievements, challenges, and personality. These articles are like mini-biographies that seek to humanize and bring the subject to life.
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8. Behind The Scenes
Just like the name implies, behind-the-scenes features take readers into places or processes not typically seen by the public. This type of article provides insights into how something is made, accomplished, or organized.
9. Trend Feature Writing
A trend feature draws the readers’ attention to something fresh and intriguing in contemporary society. This kind of feature might appear in the entertainment, fashion, or lifestyle sections, according to your editor. It will go into detail on when this new trend first appeared, why people are adopting it, and where people may expect to see it.
10. Instructional Features
Instructional features provide step-by-step guidance, advice, or information on how to do something. These articles aim to educate and empower the audience with practical knowledge.
‘This type of feature writing has gained increased popularity, especially in the era of internet ‘life hacks.’ There is now a subcategory of these features where writers experiment with instructional content and share their insights on its practicality.
Tips On How To Write A Feature Writing
Writing a great feature article requires a combination of creativity, research, and effective storytelling. Here are some tips to help you craft a compelling feature story:
1. Build a Solid Narrative
Your feature writing isn’t just sharing information; it’s telling a story. With every word, you’re taking the readers on a journey with them hanging onto every word until the end.
A solid narrative arc is like a map through uncharted territory. It starts by setting up expectations initially, building interest in the middle, and tying everything together at the end — a perfect circle of storytelling mastery.
2. Structure for Impact
A good feature story grabs the attention of the reader right from the start till the end of the article. When writing a feature article, your opening paragraph is your best chance to invite the readers to a banquet they’ll want to enjoy till the end.
To have a better hand on it, your outline shouldn’t be rigid but rather serve as a guide that keeps your thoughts together and enables smooth transitions into ideas.
The structure of a feature article should feel natural — like listening to an old friend recounting an adventure.
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3. Proofread and edit
Proofreading and editing are what makes good writing great, and a sharp editor’s eye can transform your feature article into a polished gem.
Writing an article requires more than simply putting words on paper—it also requires editing those words until they are in the best shape. Editing requires you to proofread your work carefully for language and spelling mistakes so that it looks as professional as possible. Rewrite your manuscripts, just as Pulitzer Prize winners have done.
While going through your feature writing always bear in mind that the use of the right words in the feature story is what grips the reader from the beginning till the end.
Typos can undermine credibility faster than factual inaccuracies. Take the time you need — every error you catch now is one less hurdle for your readers later on. You can use writing tools like Grammarly to check for spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
4. Get Feedback
Finally, after editing and proofreading, ensure you have a second eye that will look at it and offer corrections. Seeking feedback from another professional or a potential reader before publishing your feature writing allows you to see how others perceive what you’ve written.
Remember that the writing process doesn’t end when you put down the pen; it continues through editing and fine-tuning based on constructive criticism.
Structure of A Feature Story
A well-structured feature story typically follows this format:
1. Headline
The headline must be a catchy and concise title that captures the essence of the story. It is always written at the top of the story.
2. Lead
The lead of the writing is a captivating opening paragraph that hooks the reader. The first 3 sentences of any story that explains 5sW & 1H are known as lead.
3. Introduction
The introduction should tell the reader why this story is important or worth their time, but in a sort of oblique way. This is your last chance to “hook” a reader before they flip the page or click away.
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4. Body
The body of a feature story explores the topic in depth, including interviews, anecdotes, and background information.
5. Conclusion
This is where you summarize the story, offer insights, or leave the reader with something to ponder.
Every good conclusion should leave a lasting impression on the reader and provoke some sort of reaction. It should prompt action on the part of the reader, encourage a change of opinion, or encourage the reader to make a decision.
FAQs On Feature Writing
A feature article is the main news-related article in a magazine or newspaper that highlights a particular person, place, or event in great detail
The main purpose of feature writing is to connect with the emotions of its readers as much as possible.
To write an outstanding feature writing, you need to do the following; come up with captivating leads, conduct thorough research, and use descriptive language to engage readers.
Before choosing the right type of feature writing to adopt, consider your interests and expertise. Always choose a type that resonates with you, as your passion will shine through in your writing.
Conclusion
Feature stories are a joy to write because, again, you can reach a much wider audience. A fantastic article can touch the lives of people from every race, religion, and political affiliation. When writing a feature article, carefully paint a vivid scene, relay all the facts, and dabble in an expressive opinion or two.
References
- henryharvin.com – Feature Writing Tips And Its Importance
- aaft.com – How to Write a Feature Article: A Step-by-Step Guide
- yourdictionary.com – Tips on Writing a Good Feature Article
