Feature Article Writing Mrs. Flannigan Grade 6 ELA Hudson Bend Middle School

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 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, subheadings, bullets, and text features

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

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. Example

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example

The How-To Feature Analyzes a process Gives detailed steps Written from viewpoint of informed writer to less informed reader Example

Where to begin…? Identify Topic and Audience: Who is going to read this? Gather information: internet, books, encyclopedias, newspapers, etc. Decide what your audience would want to know about. Choose the facts you will use to support that information. Record everything on your notecards!

Where to begin: Prewriting! Start with an effective lead Engage the reader Include facts to support information (2-3 paragraphs) End with an effective conclusion Decide how to organize your writing and where to include your text features Decide what your headings, subheadings, and font will look like.

Think of it as a three act play! The first act is the introduction, in which you will introduce the subject while capturing the reader's interest. The second act of feature writing is the body, which provides the information in an interesting, logical manner. This is where you'll often see quotes. The last act of your feature is the conclusion, in which you pull everything together.

Identify Topic and Audience Choose topic Why? Who would want to read this article? Who is the primary audience? Short clip about Writing a Feature Article (scroll down to the very bottom of the page)

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. Library Database! Encyclopedias Books Newspapers Magazines

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

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

Be Creative with Text HEADINGS Subheadings FONTS Italics BOLD print Bullets COLOR

Prewriting How to organize the Feature Article

Write an Effective Conclusion Replay the lead End at the ending Restate the purpose Quote Anecdote Summary Editorial comment

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

Document Sources Include citations at the end of the feature article This can take the form of a sidebar with links, if appropriate Use “BibMe” for help setting up sources MLA style

Type up your article Prewrite, draft, revise, edit Use spell check Use grammar check Keep list of sources, photos, graphs, etc. for inclusion in the final design

Works Cited Use the BibMe website for help Use the MLA style Sources must be listed …

Works Cited This Power Point is adapted from another PowerPoint: An Article By any Other Name: The Low-Down on Feature Articles by Amy Flanagan, Media specialist at the John Hardin High School Library Media Center http::www.meade.k12.ky.us/teachers/lhawk/

More Help: Feature Article Video - Very helpful!