What is a feature article?

What is a feature article?

• A feature is a creative article that deals with REAL events, issues, and trends.

• Unlike straight news articles, it emphasizes people rather than facts.

• A feature is a creative article that deals with REAL events, issues, and trends.

• Unlike straight news articles, it emphasizes people rather than facts.

What is a Feature Article?

What is a Feature Article?

• Creative• Deals with real events, issues, and trends

• Unlike news articles, it places emphasis on the people involved rather than on the facts

• Creative• Deals with real events, issues, and trends

• Unlike news articles, it places emphasis on the people involved rather than on the facts

• Written to a specific audience

• Author sometimes writes to persuade readers to adopt his opinion on the topic

• It is organized in columns with headings, bullets

• Written to a specific audience

• Author sometimes writes to persuade readers to adopt his opinion on the topic

• It is organized in columns with headings, bullets

Some Feature Article Types

Some Feature Article Types

• Human Interest• Personality• The “Best”• How to (skill or product)

• Past Events• Informational• There are many others

• Human Interest• Personality• The “Best”• How to (skill or product)

• Past Events• Informational• There are many others

Start with an Effective leadStart with an Effective lead

• Dialogue• Scene• Startling argument• Contrast• Generalization• Question• Detail• Quote• What if• Effect

• Dialogue• Scene• Startling argument• Contrast• Generalization• Question• Detail• Quote• What if• Effect

Engage the ReaderEngage the Reader• Anecdotes• Vignettes• Foreshadowing

• Descriptions• Flashbacks• Tables• Comparisons• Sketches

• Anecdotes• Vignettes• Foreshadowing

• Descriptions• Flashbacks• Tables• Comparisons• Sketches

ExamplesChartsRiddlesSnapshotsPicturesGraphsQuotesReasons/facts

Be Creative with Text

Be Creative with Text

• HEADINGS• “Subheadings”

• FONTS• Italics

• Bold print• Bullets• COLOR

• HEADINGS• “Subheadings”

• FONTS• Italics

• Bold print• Bullets• COLOR

Write an Effective Conclusion

Write an Effective Conclusion

• Replay the lead• End at the ending• Restate the purpose

• Quote• Anecdote• Summary• Editorial comment

• Replay the lead• End at the ending• Restate the purpose

• Quote• Anecdote• Summary• Editorial comment

Human-Interest Feature

Human-Interest Feature

• Most common type of feature article

• Reports success in spite of great odds

• Recalls a tragic predicament

• Shares a continuing struggle supported only by work, family, community, hope, etc.

• Most common type of feature article

• Reports success in spite of great odds

• Recalls a tragic predicament

• Shares a continuing struggle supported only by work, family, community, hope, etc.

The Personality Feature

The Personality Feature

• Is a character sketch• Usually shows how a person gained recognition

• The main character may be known or unknown but has done something of interest to others

• Is a character sketch• Usually shows how a person gained recognition

• The main character may be known or unknown but has done something of interest to others

“The Best” Feature Articles

“The Best” Feature Articles

• Personal experience with the product

• Proof, along with examples, that this is the best of its kind

• Where to get the product• Cost of the product• Catchy title

• Personal experience with the product

• Proof, along with examples, that this is the best of its kind

• Where to get the product• Cost of the product• Catchy title

The How-To FeatureThe How-To Feature

• Analyzes a process• Gives detailed steps

• Written from viewpoint of informed writer to less informed reader

• Analyzes a process• Gives detailed steps

• Written from viewpoint of informed writer to less informed reader

Past Events FeaturePast Events Feature• Might focus on a historical event

• Might focus on a historical celebration

• Stems from library research and serves as a human interest history lesson

• Might focus on a historical event

• Might focus on a historical celebration

• Stems from library research and serves as a human interest history lesson

The Informational Feature

The Informational Feature

• Insightful coverage of topic

• Detailed information focused on one aspect of a given topic

• Makes personal connection to the topic and shows “voice”

• Often refers to research sources

• Insightful coverage of topic

• Detailed information focused on one aspect of a given topic

• Makes personal connection to the topic and shows “voice”

• Often refers to research sources

Identify Topic and Audience

Identify Topic and Audience

• Choose topic• Why ?• Who would want to read this article?

• Who is the primary audience?

• Choose topic• Why ?• Who would want to read this article?

• Who is the primary audience?

Prewriting: Organize the Feature Article

Prewriting: Organize the Feature Article

Analyze the AudienceAnalyze the Audience• Does the audience know anything about this topic?

• What does the audience need to learn after reading the article?

• Does the audience know anything about this topic?

• What does the audience need to learn after reading the article?

Gather Information (Research)

Gather Information (Research)

• Legitimate web sources • Look for .edu, .org, etc.• CultureGrams• Encyclopedias• Books• Newspapers• Magazines

• Legitimate web sources • Look for .edu, .org, etc.• CultureGrams• Encyclopedias• Books• Newspapers• Magazines

Word Process the Article

Word Process the Article

• Before any designing:• Prewrite, draft, revise, edit• Use spell check• Use grammar check• Keep list of sources, photos, graphs, etc. for inclusion in the final design

• Before any designing:• Prewrite, draft, revise, edit• Use spell check• Use grammar check• Keep list of sources, photos, graphs, etc. for inclusion in the final design

Design in PagesDesign in Pages• Organize the Information for effect - NO CLUTTER

• Check rubric for requirements

• Use Headlines• Subheadings• Bullets• Bold print, italics• Vary fonts• Use charts, illustrations…

• Graphics

• Organize the Information for effect - NO CLUTTER

• Check rubric for requirements

• Use Headlines• Subheadings• Bullets• Bold print, italics• Vary fonts• Use charts, illustrations…

• Graphics