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Through the feature article,
any drab-looking, boring, or dry material
can be transformed into an
enjoyable and entertaining read without
having to sacrifice the idea
or the message which need to be
communicated. Aside from the
purpose of entertaining, the feature
article also amuses, informs,
explains and even invokes sympathy from
its readers.
Most "seeds" or germs for the feature article stem from news stories and
current
events. While readers tend to read the straight news article and cast it
aside
after, the feature writer is able to pick up a number of ideas from the
news story
and write these ideas in feature format.
However, topics for the feature article could also not be hooked to a current
event. An old topic could be made interesting when given a fresh angle
and
written in such a way that readers now can relate
to it. Similarly, a technical
paper full of jargons can
be made interesting and readable by using
different feature devices
and techniques. It's all in how the subject
is treated and given a human
interest angle that makes every feature
story timely.
The feature article, compared
to the other forms of articles, is the
most varied in terms of scope
of subject matter. You, the feature
writer, could write anything from the most common subject to the bizarre.
The feature article also allows variety in tone, form and style. Your feature
article could be written in a light or fun tone. Or it can be written in
a serious
tone. This all depends on what your feature subject is and for what purpose
you
are writing your feature. Compared to straight news stories, the feature
article
is more informal in terms of treatment.
Your feature article should also be well organized. The paragraphs and
ideas
should show coherence and unity. Even if the feature is written using an
informal
treatment, there is still a structure to follow.
The length of the feature
is also varied. There is no prescribed
length. How interesting your
feature subject is to your readers
usually determines its length.
If you were writing a feature whose
main purpose is to teach or
inform, then in all probability your story
would be lengthy.
Unlike the news story where
paragraphs can be deleted and still the
story's idea remains intact, the paragraphs in the feature story relate
to each
other and cutting off paragraphs will greatly affect it.
The
feature is also the perfect vehicle for the creative writer. Creative and
literary devices can be used in writing the feature article.
As a feature writer, you should have the ability to write about an ordinary
in an
interesting, entertaining and informative manner. You must possess a liberal
amount of creativity and an interest in life. Feature writers who have
backgrounds
in literary writing (poetry, short story, and essays) are most often able
to dish out
good feature stories. They
are able to use colorful and dynamic words and
employ literary devices.
You should also have the ability
to look and dig deeper in a news story
or a particular event. Are
you willing to probe beneath the surface of
ordinary events? Are you willing
to investigate a story or get to the
bottom of things? Are you
a keen observer?
Read Excerpt 1 - The Truth About News...
Read Excerpt 2 - News Doesn't Grow On Trees
Read
Excerpt 4 - C Is For Creativity
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