Feature writing examples pdf

Byline journalists name introduce an idea try to grab the readers attention from the get go. How to teach students to use all five senses to gather detail for a feature story. This is a good question, and the answer will clear things out about what academic writing style is all about. Ideas for writing features come from having a keen news sense, an awareness of human interests and a healthy curiosity. Good writers know who their audience is before they start writing. Feature writing caven masuku, gweru, zimbabwe introduction a good feature writer is neither wordy nor flowery. Try thisexercise academic writing in english is linear, which means it has one central point or theme with every part contributing to the main line of argument, without digressions or repetitions. Academic writing in english is linear, which means it has one central point or theme with every part contributing to the main line of argument, without digressions or repetitions. Feature article writing is a nonfiction writing about a topic that the kids are an expert on. If youre even luckier the work placement might lead to a staff job. Your marker needs to understand what you are writing. Students write a draft and a final paper as part of the unit. Much has happened in the community and students seem to be tense. Without verifying the news that you write, then you are just no better than that of writing fake news.

A lot of new screenwriters are not even familiar with the term film. A study at the university of michigan shatters some myths. Good writers keep their audience in mind as they write every sentence in their paragraph. But what would also be crazy is to write a film script without a treatment. Features are articles written in greater depth and with more incidental detail. Often, a feature ends where the lead started, with a single person or event. It uses quotes liberally and allows the reader to see the story through detailed description and vivid writing. It would be crazy to make a movie or feature film without a screenplay. Feature stories generally have a strong narrative line. Also, make use of your email providers features wherein you will be able to mark the email before sending it whether it is important or that you need their response immediately. Teachers familiarize themselves with each of the three components.

The purpose of feature writing writing for strategic. The following extract is an example of a newspaper sports feature article. A unit that explores the writing of the feature story indepth and looks at the different types of feature stories profiles, backgrounders, etc. Feature articles are detailed pieces of writing which explore a range of issues, opinions, experiences and ideas. Sample candidate writing scripts and examiner comments both the academic and general training writing modules consist of two tasks, task 1 and task 2. Reading a feature film treatment example, or several examples, will help you become a better screenwriter. Hard news and soft news types of features writing and organizing feature stories links features are not meant to deliver the news firsthand. Qualities of a feature story feature stories are descriptive and full of detail. Please refer to this powerpoint presentation for better understanding on the subject matter. Feature articles are a way to make readers understand the human experience better. This course will teach students how to write compelling feature articles, substantive nonfiction stories that look to a corner of the news and illuminate it, often in human terms. The assessment of task 2 carries more weight in marking than task 1. As much as possible, do limit your email to at least one topic or one matter only. Movie feature film treatment examples pdf screenwriters.

As well as this it is in the standard written form of. Feature stories have a strong lead that grabs readers and makes them want to read on. Features are more indepth than traditional news stories and go beyond providing the most important facts. One example is a human interest story that discusses someones experiences. Pdf feature writing in journalism caven masuku academia. Feature stories, on the other hand, are soft news because they are not as timely, not as swiftly reported.

Heres a lede from a new york times story about former new york gov. You can comment here or you can comment via fb for you questions. They do contain elements of news, but their main function is to humanize, to add colour, to educate, to entertain, to illuminate. The article can start using any of the leads discussed above and be concluded using any of the endings mentioned in this book.

Scott atkinson is a features writer for the flint journal and teaches writing at the university of michiganflint. Many people ask how does academic writing differ from other forms of writing. Obviously, there are many distinctive features, but before we get to that, one has to know some rules of academic writing. Grade 6 selfassessment checklist for students to use 3. Updated with fresh facts, examples and illustrations, along with two new chapters on digital media and blogs this third edition continues to be the authoritative and essential guide to writing engaging and marketable feature stories.

A feature article just like a novel should follow the three tiers that is the introduction, body and conclusion. The word article can be used to refer to a brief written composition which is often found among other compositions typically included in different publications e. When articles or scripts succeed at this, they often are cast as what is known as features or contain elements of a story. Describe naplan and discuss why it is so controversial. Its tone and slant must be appropriate to the articles intended effect. Three writing samples with rationales that illustrate and explain how the scoring criteria fit each writing sample. Hard news articles are written so the reader can stop reading at any time, and still come. Here are several pdf moviefeature film treatment examples we wrote. Critically analyse the key concepts of working crossculturally, specifically. The students were subdued when they came to school today.

You are to write a feature article on a topical issue. However, at the very heart of it, the purpose is the same it aims to explore a range of issues, opinions, experiences, and ideas while captivating the audience. Unusual jobs or students who meet famous people as a result of their parttime job 4. Introduce the person youre profiling and the main topic of the feature. Scribd is the worlds largest social reading and publishing site. A feature lede can set a scene, describe a place or tell a story.

Profile articles look at a persons character and background, then profile them accordingly. As these examples of features versus benefits show, nobody wants to buy spinach people want strength, vitality and olive oyl. Feature article writing and informational reading a sample unit of lessons. If your objective is freelance feature writing, a staff job for a while will enable you to build a network of contacts. An article can tackle about different topics, depending on the writer, and is usually. Feature stories got their name from the feature section in which these types of articles previously appeared. Before one starts crafting a feature article, he must master the nutty gritty of writing so that even the. In this class you will learn the basics of feature writing. We will discuss the various types of features, including profiles, short features, news features, trend features and personal essays. Aug 17, 2017 feature writing teaching ideas suggested activities and useful links for alevel classes studying features and opinion writing thu 17 aug 2017 07. Third grade writing 15 a set of authentic writing samples that are indicative of typical third grade development. He is precise and straight to the point and is guided by the abc of journalism that is accuracy, balance and clarity.

Text feature definitions and examples type of text feature and definition how this feature helps readers visual example of feature print features title the name of a text located on the front cover or at the beginning of a chapter indicates the topic andor main idea of the entire text title headingsubheading a secondary heading that. Tips for writing a features article global development. The body important components include background information brings the reader up to date the thread of the story. A successful feature storys coverage must be suited to its news value. Features versus benefits may indeed be marketing 101, but a quick glance at the sales pitches of many online businesses makes me question whether anybody took that particular marketing nugget on board through the selfimposed hangover of their college years. Writing an effective features article climate tracker. Fourth grade writing 22 a set of authentic writing samples that are indicative of typical fourth grade development.

Articles are written to discuss different subjects or topics. Covers everything from finding original ideas and angles to locating expert sources expanded edition with new chapters on storytelling for digital media and. This is similar to the icad in a news story and should ideally embody the five ws who. A personality feature, also known as a profile, is an indepth look at a persons lifestyle, characteristics, emotions, hobbies, appearance or just what makes the person tick. All the instruction available on how to bang sentences together gracefully and theres a lot of it will produce nothing but glitz if the right material, and a pleasing variety of it, is missing. It differs from headline journalism in the length of the piece and the level of detail given to the subject. Jul 23, 2017 also, the style of writing a feature may vary depending on the writer or the subject.

Feature writing teaching ideas gnm education centre the. Tips for writing a features article dont worry if you have never written an article before, read some top tips for people who are brand new to feature writing wed 27 mar 20 09. Think about the tone of your writing and make simple changes to phrases. For example, choosing effect when you should have chose affect, or then vs. It will be similar to a newspaper or magazine article. This book is useful not only for the wouldbe features writer but also in the classroom, since many examples and exercises are offered. Fifth grade writing 26 a set of authentic writing samples that are indicative of typical fifth grade development. Whatever approach is used, the lede must grab the readers attention and pull them into the story. Write a feature story about the trip, or about the garden or some interesting plants. While somewhat dated, this book explicitly frames a strategy for approaching the kinds of researchbased, public affairs features this course encourages. A good feature writer must master the intricacies of writing to the minut est details. Writing as craft and magic second edition, carl sessions stepp, 2007, oxford university press. Eliot spitzer and his meetings with a prostitute in a posh washington hotel.

A feature article is an article written to give more depth to topical events, people or issues. Take, for example, a traincar collision in which a group of teenage girls is killed. Academic writing is more complex, and has longer words. As with all writing examples in this book, articles and excerpts are accompanied by a careful analysis of the authors writing techniques. Writing and study skills services laurier brantford ten essential features of academic writing as outlined in the brief penguin handbook. Jul 02, 2014 the complete guide to article writing, a nononsense guide to the world of writing articles for online markets, magazines, newspapers, and more. It includes some think pieces, advice on writing leads, and graceful writing on the art of the interview by kay mille. You will learn how to develop ideas for features and how to pitch stories to editors, including writing effective query letters. Sample candidate writing scripts and examiner comments. This, incidentally, is similar to a story done by a feature writer i used to work. First, write a straight news lead for each of the following stories. The reader will either get the answer in the middle or towards the end of the story. It could be global warming, bullying in schools, the need for better recreational facilities for teenagers the life and career of a sports person.

How to write a feature article with pictures wikihow. For example, features that grow out of a slumping economy reflect the. Examines a new pulitzer prizewinning multimedia feature article by weingarten in chapter 2. Audience the second element of good writing is to keep your audience in mind as you write. Middle school writing 37 a set of authentic writing samples that are indicative of typical middle school development. A feature can trail off like a news story or it can be concluded with a climax. As mentioned before, your job is not only to write the news, but it is also to verify them. Eyes, colour, shape, look samples of narrative writing narrative sample for junior classes little red riding hood once upon a time there was a little girl who lived at the edge of a large dark forest. The rescue teamlibrarians who save your necks during research paper time. His expressions must both be grammatically and struc turally correct and communicative.

Vividly described in colorful prose, it usually allows the reader to place himself in the eyes of the reporter or writer. Another term used to categorize feature writing is longform journalism. It can bring an issue to light by evoking empathy with the readers. William blundell, the art and craft of feature writing. Grade 6 narrative writing scoring guide for teachers to use steps for effective use 1. The secret to writing stronger feature articles writers digest. This will require no research of the students, but will come from their prior knowledge. Learn how to write an effective features article here.

Articles included in publications usually contain information on current issues or events happening around the area of the writer or the publication. Jan 22, 2010 the art and craft of feature writing, william blundell, plume, 1988 note. Feature writers have the extra time to complete background. Or, your instructor may ask you to write a complete feature based upon one of these sets of facts. Writers need to understand the difference and choose the right terms.