Developing your writing

1. Developing your writing From research to intros

2. The feature • Feature writing is much longer than normal news stories over two pages, because it explores issues and topics at extra length. It uses more quotes and the language is more colourful • Unlike hard news the writers opinions will be present even arguing a case. The story will be more imaginative, more colourful.

3. Feature writing. • Headlines will often tease or summarise the main story, graphics and images will often convey the overall story. Puns will often be used, and often cross heads will be used to break the story up. Graphics will also be used to add to the story. • Feature writing rarely starts with the 5ws it is usually more fun. There are different types of intros you can use in features which are beyond the 5ws.

4. Intros: The News Peg • The News Peg starts like a straight hard news story, but then breaks away from this news style: Intro: One if ten people have an been a victim of online hacking in the UK according to the National Statistics office. But the rising figures in online scams could be the tip of the iceberg according to online support groups. Grazia speak to two women to hear their experience

5. The research: Gathering, sources and research • Gathering information: observation; interview; reading; note taking; recording • Sources: primary; secondary (official, unofficial, attributable, confidential) • Research: documentary sources; electronic sources; libraries; indexes 1. Write down how you think this story has been gathered? 2. What are the primary/secondary sources/ are these official/unofficial? 3. What research would have gone into this story?

6. What you might use to research Content: • Written:eg notes, cuttings, reference books • Audio and visual eg audio tape, audio cassette, • MiniDisc™, data recorders, video tape, digital video files, pictures, charts, diagrams; electronic data; • Sources, eg people, organisations, websites

7. Now you have a go!Gathering information: • 1.Write down how you think you will gather your story? • 2. What are the primary/secondary sources/ are these official/unofficial? • 3. What research will you carry out to write your story? • What’s your story about? What’s the angle?

8. Intro: Human interest focus • Human interest intros focus on the experience or views of the subject. Intro: • When Caroline was 14, she logged on and saw a person she didn't like, she thought she was unattractive, unconfident. At 16, she started drinking for confidence, and 19 she got so drunk she collapsed. Ten years Caroline is still logging on, this time she is logging on to help with her secret drinking.

9. Quote Intro • Most hard news stories do not begin with a quote, but hard news features can, this sometimes allows you to set the scene and tone of the story: “I couldn't image our life apart, I thought I had married the most amazing man, who my family adored, I really trusted Steven until the day he hit me.” This is the reality of life for a growing number of women who find themselves in abusive relationships, according to one survivor of abuse, who now has the courage to speak up.

10. Eye witness Intro • This allows the journalist to be part of the story here is an example, and how ‘I’ can be used in the intro: • The room is full of young blondes, manicured hands, Jimmy Choos and Cartier watches. Not a streaky tan in sight, groomed to perfection. I on the other hand, have had barely time to do my makeup, and have been up since six, making breakfast and getting the kids ready for school. This is the difference between a working mum dropping my son off to school, and the WAGS who love to lunch. I wonder whether I was a WAG if I would look so manicured. I way the matter up, but before I’ve had time to think the twins are arguing and my youngest is crayoning up the wall. This is more the reality of a working mum....

11. Historical • Focusing on the past can throw a light on present day: Intro: • For decades the American government have kept files secret, from the bombing of Hiroshima, to links with Saddam Hussein. Today, for the first time WiKi Leaks lifts the lid on what politicians really think.

12. Using I • Unlike hard news stories which never start with I, or contain any mentioned of first person writing. Features sometimes do contain I. However, I would never generally use I throughout a feature. Make the tone of the voice come through the article without using I throughout.

13. Question Intros • Questions rarely open a news report, however this can be often a good way of opening a feature for instance. • Is January making you blue, is your credit card in the red and your life a mess? Then you are joining a growing number of people who are suffering from SAD (seasonal effective disorder). Here at Men’s Health we can...

14. Main Body • Like news stories the important information must come first, features are far more colourful they can have emotional, angry or witty tones. • Before you start writing you need to find your voice. • In contrast to hard news stories where the last paragraph is the least important, the feature needs to end with a strong finish i.e. It may end with a question or contain a striking quote.