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Feature stories. Feature basics. Personality profiles, stories of the unusual, sort of like non-fiction short stories. Some of the most fun stories to do, yet also some of the most challenging. Lots of decisions related to what to put in, how to organize the story, etc.
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Feature basics • Personality profiles, stories of the unusual, sort of like non-fiction short stories. • Some of the most fun stories to do, yet also some of the most challenging. • Lots of decisions related to what to put in, how to organize the story, etc. • Feature writers find story topics by being curious and observant.
Types of features • Personality or profile – a story on an interesting person. • Quite popular, and used quite often. See these almost every day. • Every single person has something that is interesting about them and worthy of a feature story.
Historical and seasonal • Historical features – story done in remembrance of a milestone event.- Typically done on fifth, 10th, 25th, 50th, etc.- EX. 100 years since first traffic accident • Seasonal – features related to a holiday or annual event.- Haunted sites on campus
Adventure features • Describes unusual and exciting experiences.- Person who sailed around the world- Girl who had visited all 50 states by age 12 • Quotes and personal descriptions of the story’s subject are particularly important in this type of feature. Recreate the scenes and emotions through their words.
Explanatory features • Detailed look at organizations, activities, trends or ideas in the news. • Give people more insight into a current hot topic and help them interpret what is going on. • Current example – economic meltdown. Many stories on how did we get here, how can we get out, etc.
How to do it features • Describe how to do a certain task. • For example – build a deck, plant a garden, train a puppy. • In these stories, let the sources be the star. Let them explain things, describe how to do what the story topic is. • Don’t try to be too clever in your writing. Clear, concise, specific.
Unusual occupation or hobby • Stories about occupations that are dangerous, highly specialized, glamorous. Or hobbies of which the average person may be unaware. • Often involve colorful characters, people who are eccentric, quotable and entertaining. • EX. Free Press series on strange jobs. There’s a TV show on the same subject.
Personal experience • Reporter does something and then writes a story about what the experience was like. • EX. Skydiving, police academy, unusual illness. • Often written in first person. Reporter may blend first person with interviews from other participants to provide a more full report.
Behind the scenes feature • Take readers backstage for some event. • Police ride along, emergency room, late-night taxi ride along, concert backstage. • Stories need rich, detailed description. Can sometimes rely less on dialogue and quotes than some other features, more on description of what is seen, what sounds one hears. • Experience the event in the place of your viewers or readers – paint a picture.
Medical features • Unusual situation? Can make for an interesting or compelling human interest feature. EX. Pregnant woman who is a cancer survivor. • Illness, health stories are life and death stories – interesting to all, since we’ll all deal with these issues.
Business features • Highlight a particular person or aspect of commerce. • New businesses attract interest. Also, longtime businesses closing attract interest. • Can be good stories to pair with colorful graphics and informational charts in addition to photos, video.
Feature story basics • Structure – more creative, with a strong lead, good use of quotes, description, details. • Story moves easily from one paragraph to the next. • Keeps reader engaged. Even if it’s long, it doesn’t “feel” long. It’s compelling. • Nothing unnecessary included. Make sure everything you put in is important to the story and the central theme. If it’s not, leave it out.
The lead • Extremely important. If you blow it here, the rest of your hard work on the story may be pointless. • Describe a scene. Paint a picture in our minds with your words. • A compelling start. Think about movies. How do good movies start?
The body of the feature • Narrative structure. • Good features illustrate character and personality through details. Use specific, concrete examples. • Quotes to reveal character, give us a sense of what it is like to talk to the person, let us know some compelling information.
Other details • How does a person carry him or herself? Do they have any unusual habits? • Setting – what sorts of things do these people surround themselves with? EX. Behind the scenes in a high-stress work environment. What objects are there in their person workspaces? • Details can help your reader/viewer understand the subject better, provide context, makes a 3-D person.
And in the end … • Strong finish to give the reader or viewer a sense of completeness. We are “full.” • Anecdote, quote, revisit a key idea. • No summary statements. Stay away from opinion. • We’re not done yet …
Visuals, other elements • Pictures/video • Multimedia content. What can we put on our Web site to enhance the story?- In-depth examination of some aspect of the story.- An excerpt or look at the feature subject’s work, with a link to more in-depth stuff. • Go, do and purchase information. • What else?
Summary • Good feature writers are curious and observant. • Features allow the writer more freedom and creativity than some other types of stories. • Story has a strong lead, structure that keeps reader interested, strong details, compelling dialogue. Write “visual.” • What other types of content can I think of that will enhance this story online?
