Writing a news feature requires both journalistic skills and storytelling artistry. By choosing a compelling angle, conducting thorough research, and structuring the article effectively, you can craft stories that captivate and resonate with your readers.
A news feature has a narrative structure that tells a story and can include elements of journalism, entertainment, and science. It often focuses on human experiences and emotions. However, a news feature should also include verified facts to provide a balanced view of the topic.
Unlike the hard news article structure we looked at in Chapter 3, a feature has an open ending and is more flexible about where it starts and ends. It can even use techniques like flashbacks to create a more complex and compelling story. Nevertheless, it is important to always have an effective and engaging lede that draws the reader into the story.
The article’s body should focus on the topic with interviews, anecdotes, and background information to give the reader a comprehensive overview of the subject matter. The conclusion wraps up the story, offers insights, or leaves the reader with something to ponder.
As with the social/cultural news feature subcategory, this type of news feature takes a human approach to a trending or confusing topic and contextualizes it in a way that is accessible to your audience. For example, a news article about the latest below-the-knee fad might highlight the history of hoop skirts or compare it to Haley’s Comet.
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