1.

Lead
2. Body
3. Conclusion

Structure of the Feature Writing

A. Lead
1. What is the most interesting fact?
2. What is the best anecdote?
3. What is the most sensational quote?
4. What is/ was the most surprising event?
5. What is the ‘did you know that…’factor?
Kinds of Lead
1. Question Lead – asking the readers a question
 Do you like eating vegetables?
 What does a woman do when the most important person in her life leaves her?
 Who does not know facebook?
 Did you know that shopping mall are not safe?
2. Exclamation Lead – the opening sentence by its very nature compels attention
 Sink or swim!
 Freedom!
 That’s incredible! A college graduate at 12 years old?
3. Quotation Lead – the story begins with a quotation which will draw interest
 “Gone are the days when children are only seen and never heard”
 “Honesty is the best policy!”
4. Descriptive Lead – this kind gives vivid description of a person, place or a situation so
that the reader creates a mental picture of it.
 The island wears a human face. Its tranquility is mirrored by the blue ocean. Its
white sands and waving palms can comfort a weary soul.
5. Striking statement lead – enticing piece of information in a short punchy format. It adds
suspense.
 If you think that children do not understand google maps, think again.
6. Summary Lead – sums up the general topic of the story (but does not follow the
inverted pyramid)
 At an early age, Andoy and Badong serve as breadwinners for their families by
selling cigarettes and newspaper by day and night. They represent the growing
number of child workers in poor urban communities.
7. Contrast Lead – the writer sets off his subject with two apparently contradictory pieces
of information. This is to emphasize two contending ideas or events.
 Three days ago, Mang Kanor was driving his boss to work. This morning, he was
seen driving his own car, the very first souvenir he bought

B. Body
 The body of the feature story must have unity, coherence and emphasis.
 It must be able to hold and sustain the interest of readers.
 In the body, the writer makes use of descriptions, narrations, figures of speech,
idiomatic expressions, quotations

C. Conclusion
 The end can be
 A comment
 Arguing a case
 A concluding quote
 A pointed question
 A summary of the article
Cardinal Principles in Writing Features
1. Unity ( Kaisahan)
2. Coherence (Kaugnayan)
3. Emphasis (Diin)
4. Interest (Kawilihan)
 The Journey
“You’ll remember me somehow
Though you don’t need me now,
I will stay in your heart
And when things fall apart
You’ll remember one day.
One day in your life
You will find that you’re always waiting
For the love we use to share
Just call my name and I’ll be there.”

Those line from the song “One day in your life” by Michael Jackson
seemed to pierce my soul while I was sitting inside a bus that resembled that of a
forlorn hearse to carry to my grave. Before me was a wide, long and winding road
to nowhere.
I wish I could have an ounce of courage to see you for the last time and
bade you goodbye, but my towering pride drowned my senses to look ahead of me
without turning back.
The once narrow highway seemed a huge photo album of our bitter-
sweet memories that kept on crisscrossing in my mind – those lousy talks and
crazy jokes that made us laugh our heart out. But all the sweet moments were
gone, what was left was a bitter part of it.
I was hurt, so badly hurt by your chain of lies that strangled me to
death. I told you I did not longer love you, that what you did was beyond forgiving,
and that my life would be much happier away from you. But all of those hurting
words were painful lies, for deep in my heart, I knew, I didn’t know how to live my
life without you.
But I had to go while the pain of leaving you was lesser than the pain of
holding on you. I had to accept the fact that I could never let things happen the
way I wanted them to, that there were some good things that never really last. I
felt one day, I would be losing you and I had to accept it no matter how it would
hurt, that was the only way I knew that I could let go and move on to pick up
where I had left my life off.
Suddenly, I saw the door slowly closing like a cover of my own coffin.
The bus headed forward. I closed my eyes to brace the stubborn tears from falling.
I was dying, when I felt somebody sat beside me. I opened my eyes to see you
offering your crumpled hankies and with remorseful eyes whispered “Can I still go
with you?”

A Life that Never Was

Come to me, Mama. Come touch me and feel my pain. Don’t be afraid
now, Mama. You weren’t when you killed me. Here, touch this… can you feel it
now, Mama? The excruciating pain that consumed my helpless body, you inflicted
that, remember?
Look at my body, now a mass of rotting flesh and coagulated blood –
the dregs of what was a tiny human body. A body that was soft with a tiny head
matted with sheen of baby hair. A tiny body with a tiny heart, that pulsated in time
with yours. These were my fingers and oh! … Here’s my thumb, which I sucked
while snugly tucked inside you.
You see, I had long lashes just like Dad’s My sensitive mouth was just
like yours. And here are my ears, which heard your quickening heartbeat when
you’re afraid.
I could have been a wonderful child if you’ve let me live. I could have
been a baby boy just what Daddy wanted-a strong, healthy and bubbly bundle in
your arms. My hypersensitiveness would have exasperated you.
Daddy? Hmmm… He could have coached me in playing softball. He’ll 
Be the pitcher and I the batter. I could have grown into a writer. You would be
proud of me because I’m going to join contests.
Mama, see I was alive but not anymore. So, please let my baby brother
live. He could also be as wonderful as me. His life wouldn’t be like mine-a life
that never was.
 Why?

Who never dream to have a happy family? I guess every child wishes to
have a perfect one with a very loving and responsible father.
My father and I did many things together. We used to play, if he had free
time, after his work. He accompanied me to the park, bought me some ice cream,
cotton candy and balloon and took pictures of me with my mother. We went
shopping at the mall, too. We dined together in a popular fast food chain. He would
buy me some toys, clothes and anything I needed in school. I felt so blessed having
a father like him.
Well, this was before she met his new friend, a woman younger than my
mother. Since then, we were no longer playing together, no going to the park, and
no food trip at the mall anymore. He was already interested with his new found
friend.
In silence, I asked, “Why, Father?” and I cried.
One day, while my mother and I were at the store to buy some groceries,
I saw my father carrying a newly born baby with his woman friend. I called my
mother and told her what I saw. She tugged me by my arm and hurriedly walked out
of the cashier lane and asked me to lead her to where my father was, but we no
longer found him there.
My mother was so angry that when my father got home at night, she was
so mad at him. She told my father that I saw him carrying his child with his new
friend. They fought each other.
I ran to my room and cried. Then, I asked God, “WHY?”

To Save One’s Life

 The story of Fr. Charlito “Cha” Colendres, the former Chancellor of Bahay Kubo
and Dionisio Cadungog, his assistant, was perhaps the most brilliant act of heroism in Infanta
during the flashflood of November 29, 2004. They undoubtedly and unselfishly risked their
lives for the sake of the many people struggling for their survival against the fury of the current
of flood waters in Brgy. Pilaway and Banugao. While many people showed their concern to
save others, no story is comparable to the account of these two honorific men who risked their
lives in trying to help the people who are in distress that resulted in the untimely death of Rev.
Father Carlito “Cha”Colondres. While Dionisio Cadungog managed to reach the safer ground
during that horrific night. He deeply blamed himself for not being able to save Fr. Cha. from
drowning.
In the afternoon of November 29, Fr. Cha sensed that something could go wrong
as it has been raining hard since last night. It’s becoming more dangerous as nightfall was
nearing. He was bothered that there was no sign of rain stopping. It was coupled with gustiness
of wind. So, he prepared ropes, flashlights and other things that may be needed in an
emergency.
As daylight approaches dusk, he asked an engineer friend to lend him a truck. The
brother’s engineer came driving the truck. Boarding the truck with their materials to pass thru
the river water, Fr. Cha and Dionisio went to Brgy Banugao to look for the condition of the
Agos River. Before they finally reach the Agos River, they were confronted by the rushing
flood water. They turned back. As an instinctive reaction to danger, they started circling around
houses where they can pass by. They advised the residents to move to higher and safer place
because the flood water is continuously swelling and creeping and reaching higher grounds.
With courage, faith, hope, because their truck can no longer negotiate the already
deep flood waters, they walked back heading for the town proper and boldly weeded in the
neck-deep flood with intention to help evacuate Poblacion residents. Upon reaching Pilaway,
the water became deeper and more violent. In spite of this condition, they tried to help other
people.
Following are persons who actually witnessed how Fr. Cha and Dionisio
Cadungog gave their full effort to save people :
“Bago pa lamang kami palikas sa mataas na lugar, nakila namin sina Fr. Cha sa
kalsada ng Pilaway, sinasabihan nila ang mga tao na lumikas. Halos mataranta kami dahil sa
biglaang pagtaas ng tubig kaya umakyat na lang kami sa mga matataas na puno.”- Adornado
Family, Pilaway
“Isa ang pamilya namin sa mga nakasaksi sa kadakilaan at kabayanihang ginawa
nina Fr. Cha. Nakuha ni Fr. na iligtas sa kamatayan ang maraming buhay ngunit hindi nakayang
iligtas ang sarili. Nandoon at nakatali sila sa puno ng niyog habang pilit na inaalalayan ang mga
tao upang makapunta sa mataas na lugar. Hindi nila alintana ang patuloy na pagtaas ng
tubig.”- Vertudez Family, Pilaway
“Hindi namin malilimutan noong kasagsagan ng baha sina Fr. Cha at Dionisio na
sumagip at nagligtas ng maraming buhay. Itinali nila ang kanilang srili upang alalayan ang mga
tao para hindi maanod ng rumaragasang tubig kasama ng mga malalaking kahoy at troso. Saksi
kami sa hirap na dinanas nila. Nagulat na laang kami nang mabalitaan namin kinabukasan na
namatay si Fr. Cha dahil sa mga kahoy na humampas sa kanya. Nalungkot kami at sa isip ay
may tanong kung bakit siya pa ang namatay.” - Aumentado Family, Banugao