We've already discussed the difference between rants and editorials, we've looked at writing reviews, and we've explored traditional news writing. However, it's often fun to break with tradition--to be a bit more creative in our informative writing--and "feature news writing" helps to bridge the gap between tradition and creativity.

The purpose of a feature news article is still to inform; that is, you are still trying to tell your reader the facts about something. However, instead of being so concerned with the inverted pyramid and getting in all the answers as quickly as possible, you are rather encouraged to tell a story about the subject using the facts and figures and witnesses and interviews to help you. Instead of falling back on formality and hitting hard, you can act as if you are having a conversation with your reader about something near-and-dear to your heart.

So, let's take a look at the parts of a feature news story and see what we can do.



The Subject

Because "the news" comes at us so fast, many times our news writing must be timely and deal with something that is only a few seconds to a few hours old. One problem print newspapers are finding is that the news they print is actually an entire day old, in some cases, and that their readers have already had the information from a hundred other sources. Way back, papers used to release a morning edition and an evening edition to help combat this phenomena, but such measures still leave people behind, especially with today's internet culture (and they are quite expensive in today's market).

However, feature news writing need not be as timely. The topic should still be relevant, sure, but it's importance is not immediate. You can afford to wait until Sunday for your readers to have a look, because what you've reported and the reality of the situation is not likely to change between now and then. Sometimes it will, sure--but a good reporter knows how and when to anticipate major changes and will usually hold-off on publishing something if there's the possibility of greater things on the horizon. In other words, with feature news stories, you have options that aren't permitted in traditional news writing. Your biggest option is time.

That said, you often want to choose a subject that is significant to your readers--something that is relevant (as stated above) and sure to catch their interest; it should be something people are concerned about, something that can help make their lives easier, a feel-good story, or even a precautionary tale. With feature writing, the possibilities end with your readers' tastes and wants and needs. Pick a topic that people are already interested in or should be interested in (and will be, once your feature goes out).



The Style

Guess what? You can get creative. Instead of a one-line lead that answers five questions, you can stretch out that first paragraph (or two) with descriptive language, quotations, a little suspense--anything you can think to use to catch someone's eye. And those five questions? Take your time! You have a whole article to write. Indeed, you can bounce back and forth between hard facts and high-interest explanations, you can play with language, introduce something figurative or metaphorical into the dry parts, rely heavily on quotations and multiple sources or opinions, and--most important--you can actually focus on writing a great ending.

Unlike in the traditional news story, the feature news story is a set length that is less likely to get cut down to something smaller--at least not without warning and a chance to revise and edit your own work. The length is set by the editor, anticipating where your story is going to fit in a future issue, and you are charged with making the deadline--both in time and in space. With that in mind, you can look at feature writing in ways similar to fictional storytelling--except this story is real and you will, eventually, have to produce the facts to back it up.

How do you write a truly great feature news article, though? Well, the answer is all in the details. You much pick and choose which details are most likely to paint a vivid, descriptive, imaginative, relevant story in the reader's mind. You have to figure out what to cut and what to add to make the reader care. Why should a person read your story? Why should a person take you at your word? Continue asking yourself, "So what?" and answering it honestly, and you'll find what you need to write a good feature.



The Angle

Before you begin writing, however, you must know the point of your story. What are you trying to say? Why are you bothering? What makes this a good feature topic and why? You had better know the answers to these questions at the start, or you'll flounder halfway through and struggle towards the end. After all, how can you choose the right details if you don't know what you're trying to say?

It's the angle that keeps the reader interested or makes them want to read your story. It's the angle you focus on in your lead and develop further throughout the story, eventually coming to your conclusion. In fact, it's the angle that keeps you focused. It helps you know what to cut and what to keep and it strings you along and shows you places you can afford to get creative. As long as you stay true to the angle, you're going to be just fine.

However, it's not always easy to find that angle. In keeping this in mind, it's important to continuously question yourself before writing so that you know why this is an important topic or subject and what the reader will want to know about the topic. In any good news writing, the writer anticipates the needs and wants and questions and concerns of the reader--and they put the reader first. News writing is no place to be selfish. We have fiction for that!



The Confusion

Still confused? Want to know a little bit more about the basics of feature writing? Feel like you need more facts before you can begin? Great! Check out this link for more details. It would be pointless to paraphrase or quote the text, but rest-assured it's a short, informative piece that really breaks down the feature writing process. I couldn't even begin to do it justice with a dA article.