TYPES OF FEATURE ARTICLES

Feature Article

Is an article that deals with real events, issues, and trends.

It places emphasis on people involved rather than on the facts of the news.

1. Human-Interest Feature

Most common type of feature article.

Reports on someone’s success in spite of great odds.

Recalls a tragic predicament.

Shares a continuing struggle supported by hope/faith.

2. Personality Feature

The subject may be famous or not but has done something of great interest.

Shows how a person gained recognition.

4. The How-To Feature

Explains how to do something.

Tells the reader why it is important or beneficial.

Explains the steps of the process in detail.

Includes a list of materials. Example: “How to Bake a

Cake”

5. Past Events Feature Focuses on a historical

event or historical celebration.

Provides human-interest history lesson.

May provide added emotional impact on a historical event.

Puts a “human face” on history.

Makes connections between now and then.

7. “The Best” Articles

The Courier-Journal has a column that publishes reviews of the “best” products of all kinds.

Includes the writer’s personal experiences with the product.

Includes proof and examples that the product is the best of its kind.

Includes information about where to get the product and how much it costs.

Has a catchy title.

6. Informational Feature

Shows insightful coverage of a topic. Gives information focusing on one

aspect of a given topic. Refers to sources of research, but is

not like an encyclopedia report. Instead the writer makes a personal connection to the subject and includes his/her voice.

3. The News Feature

Brings human-interest focus to breaking news.

Adds personal involvement to current event.

Ex. Man with double-arm transplant

Text Features

Used to attract the reading’s attention and to help the reader understand the topic.

Titles/subtitles Headings/subheadings Pictures/captions Graphs, maps, diagrams, and charts Interesting fonts (bold, italics, underlining,

capital letters) Bullets/lists Text boxes Pronunciation guide/vocabulary box

Text Structures

Feature articles can be written in one of the following formats:

cause/effect problem/solution compare/contrast sequence/time line

Various Ways a Writer Includes Details in an Article Anecdotes Vignettes Descriptions Snapshots Reasons Flashbacks Examples Facts

Tables/Graphs/Charts

Comparisons Contrast Pictures/Drawings Quotations Foreshadowing Expert of

authority

Various Ways a Writer Includes Details in an Article Anecdote-short, entertaining account of

something happening Vignette-a short, delicate literary

sketch Snapshots-written description of how

something looks Flashbacks-recalling something that

has happened in the past Quote-exact words spoken by someone

Various Ways a Writer Includes Details in an Article Tables/Graphs-an arrangement of

related facts, figures, values, etc. usually in rows and columns

Charts-a group of facts about something set up in the form of a diagrams

Foreshadowing- hints of what is to happen in the future

Expert authority- one knowledgeable about a specific subject