Feature Article Writing

MRS. FLANNIGANGRADE 6 ELA

HUDSON BEND MIDDLE SCHOOL

Feature Article Writing

What is a Feature Article?

CreativeDeals with real events, issues, and trendsUnlike news articles, it places emphasis on

the people involved rather than on the factsWritten to a specific audienceAuthor sometimes writes to persuade readers

to adopt his opinion on the topicIt is organized in columns with headings,

subheadings, bullets, and text features

Some Feature Article Types

Human InterestPersonalityThe “Best”How to (skill or product)Past EventsInformationalThere are many others

Human Interest Feature

Most common type of feature articleReports success in spite of great oddsRecalls a tragic predicamentShares a continuing struggle supported only

by work, family, community, hope, etc. Example

The “Best”: Feature Articles

Personal experience with the productProof, along with examples, that this is the

best of its kindWhere to get the productCost of the productCatchy titleExample

Past Events Feature

Might focus on a historical eventMight focus on a historical celebrationStems from library research and serves as a

human interest history lessonExample

The Personality Feature

Is a character sketchUsually shows how a person gained

recognitionThe main character may be known or

unknown but has done something of interest to others

Example

The Informational Feature

Insightful coverage of topicDetailed information focused on one aspect of

a given topicMakes personal connection to the topic and

shows “voice”Often refers to research sourcesExample

The How-To Feature

Analyzes a processGives detailed stepsWritten from viewpoint of informed writer to

less informed readerExample

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 leadEngage the readerInclude facts to support information (2-3

paragraphs)End with an effective conclusionDecide how to organize your writing and

where to include your text featuresDecide 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 topicWhy?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! EncyclopediasBooksNewspapersMagazines

Start with an Effective Lead

Dialogue SceneStartling argumentContrastGeneralizationQuestionDetailQuoteWhat ifEffect

Engage the Reader

AnecdotesVignettesForeshadowingDescriptionsFlashbacksTablesComparisons Sketches

• Examples• Charts• Riddles• Snapshots• Pictures• Graphs• Quotes• Reasons/ facts

Be Creative with Text

HEADINGSSubheadingsFONTSItalicsBOLD printBulletsCOLOR

Prewriting

How to organize the Feature Article

Write an Effective Conclusion

Replay the leadEnd at the endingRestate the purposeQuoteAnecdoteSummaryEditorial comment

Design in Pages

Organize the information for effect – NO CLUTTER

Check rubric for requirementsUse headlinesSubheadingsBulletsBold print, italicsVary fontsUse charts, illustrationsgraphics

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 sourcesMLA style

Type up your article

Prewrite, draft, revise, editUse spell checkUse grammar checkKeep list of sources, photos, graphs, etc. for

inclusion in the final design

Works Cited

Use the BibMe website for helpUse the MLA styleSources 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!