7 Feature Article PDF

Writing
FEATURE STORIES
Feature stories
Soft news story that can be delivered in a
number of ways
Feature stories
More free flowing and less restrictive than a
straight news article
Feature stories
Main purpose is to add the human element of
the news, to add color and feeling, to entertain,
and to educate
Feature stories
Offers insights about people, places, things or
events that we encounter daily but to which we
pay little attention
Feature stories
• Contains an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Contents are based on the writer’s development of
ideas.
• Can have complex narration or presentation
Feature stories
• Often reflects the personality, tendencies, beliefs,
and aspirations of the writer.
• Includes quotations from principal characters,
experts, and variety of sources
• Use the elements of fiction and informal writing.
Feature stories
• Can use photographs, charts, sidebars or boxes,
drawings, diagrams, video clips, among others to
reinforce the message and bring life and color to
the subject.
Feature stories
1. News behind the news stories

An in-depth look at the stories behind a current
news.
Feature stories
2. Personality sketch/profile
Profile of the rich and the famous. Readers would
like to know the hidden traits and lives of famous
personalities.
Feature stories
3. Science and technology stories

Concentrate on the latest advancement in science
and technology with the aim of informing the
readers and arousing their interests.
Feature stories
4. Human appeal stories

Also called “concern stories.” Expose burning issues
that needs urgent solutions. Appeals to the emotion
and arouses sympathetic interests.
Feature stories
5. Historical and cultural features

Historical events and sites provide readers a sense of
identity. By comparing the present to the past, they
can see how time has changed their environment,
culture, values, and perspectives.
Feature stories
6. How-to and what-to-do features

Educational in essence. Provide knowledge about
process or activity.
Feature stories
7. Business and development features

Provide a glimpse and insight on the business world and
the development of certain sector or area. Require a
working knowledge and special interest on the workings
and operations of the business community.
Feature stories
8. Lifestyle features
Changing fashion trends and lifestyles makes an
interesting reading.
Feature stories
9. Entertainment features
Movie stars, pop singers, and show business events
are common subjects. The goal is to entertain and
give relief to people.
Feature stories
10. Hobby features

Interest the readers who are into exceptional
hobbies.
Feature stories
11. Career features

Focus on career guidance, tips or issues.
Feature stories
12. Seasonal themes

Magnify the significance and relevance of holidays,
anniversaries, and special events.
Feature stories
13. Travel features

Highlight the beauty of interacting with people and
places. They offer endorsements and guidelines on
places where money would be worth spending.
Feature stories
14. Insider features

Look at unusual occupations, issues, or events which
are hidden from the public.
Feature stories
15. Sports feature

an essential aspect of sports coverage, meant to
complement and add human interest and meaning
to day-to-day coverage of sporting events.
Stages in writing a feature
story
Pre-writing Writing Revising Proofreading
Stages in writing a feature story
1. Pre-writing
• Plan, research, gather data, organize information, consider the
type of publication you are writing. Planning involves finding
out what you should write about and your purpose. (What to
say and how to say it.)
• Limit the topic. Choose the theme. Narrow down and focus.
(Theme, Subject, Topic)
2. Writing
• Know the level of consciousness and knowledge of your
audience. Find out if they read for entertainment, information,
analysis, or commentaries. This will make your article more
responsive and sensitive to the issues and concerns of the
reader.
Lead
Details are in:
Chronological order
Logical order
Narrative order
3. Revising
• Checking for good writing technique.
4. Proofreading
• Edit your article for clarity and grammatical correctness. Refine
your sentences, find better choices for words, cut out
unnecessary phrases, ensure your story flows in a coherent
manner.
Parts of a feature story
1. Introduction
• Should be able to hook the readers. An introduction with a punch.
2. Body
• Should sustain the interest.
3. Conclusion
• Should help the reader remember the story.
Parts of Feature Story: INTRODUCTION
Types of LEAD
Ways to develop the lead
1. Question lead asks the readers questions which the article will try to
explore and discuss.
Ex. Who does not know Facebook? or Did you know that shopping malls
are not safe?
2. Startling statements or exclamation leads to compel attention.
Ex. Freedom!
Ex. That’s incredible! A college graduate at 12 years old?
3. Striking statement lead is enticing piece of information in a short
punchy format. It adds suspense. Ex. If you think that children do not
understand Google maps, think again.
4. Descriptive lead can draw the reader into the story by creating a strong
image in his or her mind.
Ex. The island wears a human face. Its tranquility is mirrored by the blue
ocean. Its white sands and waving palms can comfort a weary soul.
5. Summary lead sums up the general topic of the story but does not
follow the inverted pyramid.
Ex. At an early age, Andoy and Badong serve as breadwinners for their
families by selling cigarettes and newspapers by day and night. They
represent the growing number of child workers in poor urban communities.
6. Anecdotal lead relies on a conversational tone to create an intimacy
among reader, writer, and characters in the article. It is loaded with specific
details.
Ex. David met Grace in a five-star hotel bar in Bangkok. David, in his
tuxedo, was mesmerized by the beauty of the Chinese-looking female in red
gown. “Can I offer you a drink?” the bachelor asked with confidence. The
woman did not refuse the gentle offer. They talked and smiled. That was
three years ago. They now have two lovely daughters.
7. Quotation lead relies on an arresting quote or striking statement from
someone. The selected quotes reinforce the message of the article.
Ex. “Honesty is the best policy.”
8. Contrast lead, the writer sets off his/her subject with two apparently
contradictory pieces of information. This is to emphasize two contending
ideas or events.
Ex. Three days ago, Mang Kanor was driving his boss to work. This
morning, he was seen driving his own car. The very first souvenir he bought
for winning the jackpot prize in lottery.
9. Break formal lead leaves to the reader‘s imagination the things that
happened in between events.
Ex. He said he would. And he did.
10. Character lead, which introduces the central person in a story. These
are most common in personality profiles or stories in which you use an
individual to represent a larger topic.
Ex. Marvin Wells always seems to have a smile on his face - even when his
truck won't start in the morning.
Parts of Feature Story: BODY
DEVELOPMENT OF
THE BODY
Development of the body
• Improve the simple narration strategy by magnifying the

character of a person or an event. Instead of saying that
Pedro is happy, sad or angry try to reconstruct the
sentence by saying that, “Pedro was so happy that he
kissed the forehead and cheeks of her mother and
hugged her tight.”
• Animate verbs and work for sounds. Add color to the

actions of the characters. Instead of “drank quickly,”
write “gulped,” walked quietly – tiptoed.
• Use the active voice.
• Avoid clichés by reconstructing them.
• Play with figures of speech:

a. simile
b. metaphor
c. personification
• Vary sentence length. This is to emphasize thought.
Parts of Feature Story: CONCLUSION
WAYS TO END YOUR

STORY
Conclusion
• Ending of a feature story should be glorious and must

show the reader that the time they invested in reading
the piece was well-spent.
• Remind them of the main message and idea of the
article.
Ways to end your story
1. Summarize the key points of the story.
Ex. Emilia’s message is simple: We, the hope of the future, must
prepare our glasses to catch each and every single precious drop
of knowledge.
2. Argument conclusion, mentions the main point of the article
for the first time based on previous discussions.
3. Straightforward question is effective in challenging the
readers and making them think through the story.
Ex. Would you let malnutrition take the better of us?
4. Offering solutions and recommendations help the readers
make informed choices.
Ex. It is never wrong to give ourselves some time to relax in this
busy world.
5. Forecast or prediction shows a good understanding of the
arguments and the implications of current situation to the future.
This conclusion offers inferences on the future based on the
foregoing arguments.
Ex. Given his determination to conquer his fears, it is never
impossible for Dave to become the person he wants to be.
6. Appropriate quotations are effective in dramatizing the main
points raised by the article.
Ex. Indeed, honesty is still the best policy.

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Writing

1. News behind the news stories

3. Science and technology stories

4. Human appeal stories

5. Historical and cultural features

6. How-to and what-to-do features

7. Business and development features

10. Hobby features

11. Career features

12. Seasonal themes

13. Travel features

14. Insider features

15. Sports feature

• Improve the simple narration strategy by magnifying the

• Animate verbs and work for sounds. Add color to the

• Play with figures of speech:

WAYS TO END YOUR

• Ending of a feature story should be glorious and must

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