Preparing to write a Feature Story includes; researching, finding experts, interviewing, organising facts, analysing complex information and interpreting and converting bureaucratic language.
Qualities Required: Creativity, Maturity, Sensitivity, Ability to examine issues and personalities in depth, Accuracy, Fairness and balance.
People and Place
- People - Accents, movements, appearance.
- Place - Setting and Positioning.
- Imagery.
- Descriptive detail.
- Observation
- Characterization.
Human Interest and Colour Stories - Human Interest and colour stories have mass appeal and do not necessarily need a specific news angle. They can be timeless, stand-alone stories. Human Interest stories can also be 'slice of life' story.
'New' Journalism
Is far removed from 'normal' feature writing. Also known as literary journalism. Writing is more subjective and personal. Non-fiction writing that can incorporate content drawn from memory or even invented.
Writing the Description: Use detail, but do not disrupt the flow of the story Use examples and metaphors to evoke mental images. Depict reality. Concse and concrete information.
Feature Structures: Modified Inverted Pyramid, String of Pearls, Projection, Focus.
The Closer
Circular, Summary, Poetic, Looking ahead, 'That's that', 'See what I mean', All closers can be enhanced by repeating a key word or phrase used in the feature.
Chapter 14 for more information...
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