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Everything You Need To Know To Write Feature Stories
Everything You Need To Know To Write Feature Stories
by Tony Rogers
Updated June 12, 2017
Newswriting is great, but for those who love words and the craft of writing, there's nothing like producing a great feature
story. Here we'll cover everything you need to know about producing great features. You'll see how to craft a terrific feature
lede, discover the key ingredients of any good feature, and learn about the different kinds of feature stories.
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ones that are often associated with fiction writing, including description, a greater use of quotes, anecdotes, and
sometimes extensive background information. More »
Feature Stories: What You Should Use, and What You Should Leave
Out
We've talked about the key ingredients or components that make up a feature story. Beginning feature writers often wonder
how much of each ingredient to include. In news writing, the answer is easy: Keep the story short, sweet and to the point.
But features are meant to be longer, to tackle their topics in greater depth and detail. So how much detail, description and
background information is too much - or too little? The short answer is if something helps support or amplify the angle of
your story, use it. If it doesn't, leave it out.
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Most editors will tell you that beginning writers need to use fewer adjectives and stronger, more interesting verbs. Here's
why. There's an old rule in the writing business - show, don't tell. The problem with adjectives is that they don't show us
anything. In other words, they rarely if ever evoke visual images in readers' minds, and are just a lazy substitute for writing
good, effective description. Editors like the use of verbs because they convey action and give a story a sense of movement
and momentum. But too often writers use tired, overused verbs. More »
CITE
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