Feature storiesAcross the genres

©Martin HirstDeakin UniversityMarch 2012

The broad feature landscape0Feature stories can be about anything – all subjects are

open0Feature stories are not determined by length or topic, or

approach0Purpose0The purpose of a feature is to inform

and to entertain0Feature stories work across

0 Genre0 Type0 Content0 Style0 Form0 Structure

What is a feature?

A Feature article is a newspaper or magazine piece, usually over 400 words that is written to entertain and inform the reader.

It’s narrative structure differs from a straight news story, though it is written with a lead to get the reader's attention

A feature will use a more relaxed tone to present information which might trigger an emotional reaction in the reader

PurposeDESCRIPTION show rather than tell through observation and describingEXPLANATION explain how something works of why it happenedPROCEDURAL how to do or make somethingNARRATIVE entertain and hold a reader’s interestRECOUNT list and describe past experiences by retelling chronologicallyREPORT describe and classify information in a logical sequenceARGUMENT ideas in sequence to justify a particular stand or viewpoint

“We knew that if we could identify them in their second trimester, there’s a good chance we could capture them for years,” Pole told me.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=magazine

Genre

Wikipedia:journalism genres various journalism styles, fields or separate genres, in writing accounts of events.

Dictionary.com:genre a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique, or the like: the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music.

Feature Genres0Newspaper features

0 News-edged0 Investigative0 Lifestyle0 Human Interest

0Magazine features0 Special Interest0 Market-segmented0 Wide range of sub-

genres

0Newsletters0 Government publications 0 Community & other

markets0Trade & Specialty

Publications0 Corporate0 Industry bodies0 Science & Research0 Popular

0Broadcast & Online0 Documentary genres0 Current Affairs

Genres #20 News Feature

0 Focus on issues, people, conflicts in news agenda

0 Investigative0 Deep background with

proof and data0 Breaking new big story

0 Spot News / Event0 Background0 Analysis0 Deadline-driven

0 Soft features0 Lifestyle0 Advertorial

0Trend Stories0 What’s new & exciting

Data over timeShifting demographics

0 Old v. New0Place and People

0 The ‘live in’ 0 Humanised0 Can involve writer

0Profiles0 Person0 People0 Organisations

Feature Types0 Colour piece

0 Describing a scene and throw light on its theme(s).

0 Fly on the wall0 Observational 0 Unobtrusive.

0 Behind the scenes0 First person or ‘in’ the

story.0 In disguise0 Pretending to be another

person 0 Interview

0 Factbox / Chronology0 A simple list of facts,

perhaps in date order0 Timeline narrative

0 Backgrounder0 A history of0 An extended factbox.

0 Full texts0 Extracts from books or

transcripts of interviews.0 My testimony

0 A first person report of some kind.

David Randall - The Universal Journalist

Feature Types #20 Analysis

0 An examination of the reasons behind an event

0 Issue-based0 Long-running dispute0 Recent controversy0 New information about ongoing

topic or issue0 Vox Pop0 Expert roundup

0 A selection of views from members of the public or experts

0 Opinion poll0 Review0 Editorial

0 Humorous0 Light-hearted0 Poking fun

0 Educational0 Curiosity0 Background

0 How-to0 Instructional0 Enthusiast

0 Human Interest / Drama0 Emotional0 Tension0 Resolution

Content: what is it about?0Content

0Form

0Structure

0Style

0Writing0 Homework

0 Find examples0 Discuss approach

0 Check-out The Global Mailhttp://www.theglobalmail.org/