1. 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.

2. 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, bullets

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

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

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

6. Be Creative with Text HEADINGS “Subheadings” FONTS Italics Bold print
Bullets
COLOR

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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. “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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Identify Topic and Audience
Choose topic
Why ?
Who would want to read this article?
Who is the primary audience?

15. Prewriting: Organize the Feature Article

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

17. Gather Information (Research)
Legitimate web sources
Look for .edu, .org, etc.
CultureGrams
Encyclopedias
Books
Newspapers
Magazines

18. 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

19. 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

20. Word Process Column format Spell check Grammar check
Sources listed at bottom of article