Feature story writing is a type of journalism that goes beyond the standard news report. It tells a complete story, often using real-life examples, to help readers understand a complex issue or event.

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Characteristics of a feature article

A feature article should:

• Have a strong opening paragraph that draws the reader in.
• Be focused on an individual or individuals.
• Have quotes throughout to support narrative and show perspectives.
• Use descriptive language which almost gives the appearance of nonfiction.
• Be specific and detailed to make for a better story.
• Have elements of humor, surprise, drama, tension, and emotion to keep readers engaged.

Linguistic or language usage in feature articles:

● Use semi-formal language (not formal and not informal) with a human touch. This is an academically researched piece written for a wide audience. Your language should be accessible and appealing to general and academic audiences. This genre preferences active voice.

● Adjectives and adverbs can be used sparingly but focus on action verbs. The diction of the feature should mirror your activist theme.

● Use statistics, facts, and quotes. Features attempt to appeal to ethos, logos, and pathos. Appealing to all three means that you are able to communicate with a wider audience.

● Rhetorical questions are a great way to increase audience attention. Our natural tendency when we hear a question is to answer it!! Rhetorical questions cancan invoke interest and prompt the audience to think critically about your topic.

● Anecdotes, imagery, and specific jargon are other language techniques that you can use to communicate your theme.

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Different types of feature articles

There are different types of feature articles or stories. Some types are used more frequently than others.

Various examples of types of feature stories include:

• Behind the scenes: The reporter documents activity that is usually invisible to the public. When we see a protest or demonstration, we don’t usually see the massive effort that precedes that event. Who makes the signs? How does the organization know where they’re supposed to meet? Will they distribute information? Who decides on and composes the documents? Are they hand-made or printed? Where does the money come from for printing, t-shirts, sign board, markers? If you have access to an organization planning an event, this might be a good choice for you. It’s also a great opportunity to compose field notes to satisfy the primary research requirement for your own feature story.
• Human interest: The reporter focuses on a person or situation that is interesting, typically because it is unusual or unique. If the person is known to you or you can contact them through email, an interview might be a genre you can include in your own feature story (primary research). Interviews don’t always have to be face to face–an exchange of emails, a phone call, or a set of messages could serve as an interview.
• Instructional: The feature story is intended to help or guide the reader. The story might provide information about how to do something or might describe a process. A lot of people have activist tendencies, but really don’t know what they can do to help their cause. This type of feature might provide a set of steps that connect people to group or individual activism. This type of feature is often formatted as a Q&A or how-to.
• Thematic: A thematic story tells a larger story than the lives of one person. The thematic article explains an idea, trend, or theory through multiple examples of anecdotes that support each other in illustrating the theme.

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