Come to any interview armed with a basic list of questions you hope to ask. Will you wait to hear from the editor risky , or will you call to follow up and, if so, when? Everyone approaches writing differently, but creating a rough outline of where you will start, and where you want to get with your feature article should guide your writing. The focus should be on a news angle or a single aspect of the subject's personal or professional life. The conclusion should prompt action on the part of the reader and encourage a change of opinion on the part of the reader or encourage the reader to make a decision. Be sure to confirm the date and time a couple of days ahead of the scheduled interview to make sure the time still works for the interviewee. A feature story is the main, front-page article found on your newspaper.
Get , a no-nonsense guide to the world of writing articles for online markets, magazines, newspapers, and more. Add color to the actions of the characters. What information do you want to reveal first? Then, write out every step of the process from beginning to end. What areas need additional information? They provide knowledge about process or activity. All students have by now signed an agreement to abide by the new dress code, and teachers have been tasked with the responsibility of enforcing the new requirements. Proofread your completed article for spelling and grammatical errors.
Profile feature ledes are often more creative than news leads. Research your subject once you have chosen the angle for your feature. Describe different methods if there are multiple ways to do something. Instead, choose a more inventive way to write a story. After all, the purpose of your article is to teach someone to do something they've never done before. Harry Potter is the boy who lived. When you're ready, here's a step-by-step process in creating a feature article that will impress.
Through your freelance journalism career you will become very close to your new friend: the feature article. The body should sustain the interest. Do research ahead of time to ensure that you are asking the most compelling questions. Choose a format for your article. But you should seek a variety of perspectives and several expert opinions. They represent the growing number of child workers in poor urban communities. Week after week, Muslims embark on dates with him in tow.
Otherwise, this becomes more of a straightforward interview. Training Your Ear for Tension Stories are everywhere if you learn to look. Make a list of people you would like to interview for your article. I have always found it useful to read my articles aloud because I tend to hear things I miss when I read. Spend extra time of the beginning of your story. Ask your interviewee to tell you when and where the best place is for them to meet. Who would replace these fixtures? Check the library, the Internet and experts for previous news coverage and references to key information.
The Mean Old Structure: Like other articles, the feature has a basic structure. Have a long list of questions to keep the conversation flowing. He was the victim of an ailment so common that most people would consider it trivial. At the very least, your article will seem less authoritative, but at the most, you could get in trouble for copyright infringement. In fact, some of the best articles focus on the everyday stories of regular people. Obvious mistakes will make you seem less knowledgeable about your subject, even if your content is very good.
Magazines, newspapers, and online sites must provide their readers with content in the form of well-researched, well-written feature articles. Focus on what's most compelling. It is tempting to describe a room as messy or a person as nice. An easy-to-digest title will give your article an instant advantage over one with a wordy or confusing title. It's easier than you might think and with only a little bit of effort you can produce a high quality feature article and get the grade to match! I wondered: What does a sick and lonely man talk about with one of the few people he trusts? Anecdotal lead relies on a conversational tone to create an intimacy between the reader, the writer and the characters in the article. Is a master of language.
Do not turn in a story with spelling or grammatical mistakes. For example, if you're interviewing a person who restores vintage cars, you might meet in his garage. Becase this is a news article, try to come up with relevant topics surrounding school or local community events. Start piecing together your article by reviewing your notes, selecting quotes, and drafting a structure for the article. There are a number of ways to write a feature, depending on what you want to focus on.
Expect that your understanding will evolve as you report. Unlike a news story that provides facts, a feature article digs deeper, giving your reader a more in-depth view of your topic or opinion. Readers want to know the hidden traits and lives of famous personalities. Ray was known for changing into three different suits throughout the day as he wandered downtown Flint, Mich. Clearly presents the message; 6. The selected quotes reinforce the message of the article. Of course, this is not always true.
My grandfather died early in life, leaving her with burden of raising a family of six. For example, here is my working hypothesis for an article on law firm marketing: To compete in an increasing complex, changing environment, many law firms across the country are exploring a revolutionary new strategy — marketing their services. . The editor of the magazine always has the final say in what the headline says, though the writer comes up with a number of options for the editor to choose from. And finally, try to make sure you have a point of interest in each paragraph of your article to keep your reader engaged. It is a blend of a news article with a bit of interpretation of the facts without giving an opinion as to what the solution should be.