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? 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

Some Feature Article Types Human Interest Personality The Best How to (skill or product) Past Events Informational There are many others

Start with an Effective lead Dialogue Scene Startling argument Contrast Generalization Question Detail Quote What if Effect

Engage the Reader Anecdotes Vignettes Foreshadowing Descriptions Flashbacks Tables Comparisons Sketches Anecdotes Vignettes Foreshadowing Descriptions Flashbacks Tables Comparisons Sketches Examples Charts Riddles Snapshots Pictures Graphs Quotes Reasons/facts

Be Creative with Text HEADINGS Subheadings F O N T S Italics Bold print Bullets COLOR HEADINGS Subheadings F O N T S Italics Bold print Bullets COLOR

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

Analyze the Audience Does the audience know anything about this topic? What does the audience need to learn after reading the article?

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 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 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