Feature Article - Introduction

What is a feature article?

A feature article is a non-fiction piece of writing that focuses on a particular topic. You will
find them in newspapers and news sites, online blogs, or magazines.

However, they are not the same as news reports! Whereas news reports are more factual…

Feature articles are more subjective and emotive.

They commonly present information in a more narratorial manner to make them more
engaging.

Characteristics of a feature article

Now that we have a general understanding of what a feature article is, let’s take a detailed
look at their characteristics.

A feature article should,

• Explore a topic or issue of current importance

• Follows narratorial conventions (i.e. There is a plot, complication, and conclusion)
• Written in short paragraphs
• Combine facts and opinions
• Provide a perspective or angle about the topic or issue
• Includes catchy features (eg. Catchy title, images etc.).

Different types of feature articles:

 There are many different types of feature articles. Each one has a different focus and
purpose.

So, let’s see a few examples of feature articles!

• Profiles: A biography of a person’s (usually celebrity or public person) life that relates to a
current newsworthy event that allows readers to get an insight of the person’s life.
o eg. ‘Charlie Kaufman’s debut novel, ‘Antkind’, is just as loopy and clever as his
movies‘
• Human interest: An interesting story about someone’s experience (person, group, animal
etc). These can be achievements or problems that evokes emotions and can teach the
audience a lesson or raise awareness about an important or current issue.
o eg. ‘A Former High School Football Player Dove and Caught a Child Dropped From the
Balcony of a Burning Building’
• Instructional: These are article that show readers how to do something, step-by-step.
o eg. ‘How to Tie Dye‘
• Personal: An article about your personal experience.
o eg. ‘My 2019 UCAT Experience‘
• Seasonal: These are articles that are specific to a certain time of the year.
o eg. ‘Why Australia Day is really held on 26 January and the push to change the date‘
or ‘Thanksgiving 2020 – Date, history behind the holiday and what time is Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade?’
• Behind the scenes: These article gives readers a scoop about what is happening ‘behind
the scene’ of an event, process, or issue.
o eg. ‘Craziness behind the scenes at the White House‘ and ‘Two Former McDonald
Employees Spill Insider Secrets About Working at the Fast Food Chain‘
Note: There are many more different types of feature articles. You’ll want to research the
genre specific for the task you’ve been set.

Language used in feature articles

Before we go into the nitty-gritty details for writing feature articles, you need to know what
skills and techniques you need to acquire in order to write a feature article!

1. Develop a personal tone

1. Share your opinions
2. Show your personality (eg. humourous, serious…)
3. Use semi-formal language (i.e. some colloquialism)
4. Use emotive language
2. Refer to the audience in second person language (eg. “you”)
3. Use literary and rhetorical techniques to engage the reader (eg. rhetorical questions,
anecdotes, imagery…)
4. Don’t overuse adjectives or adverbs. Use strong verbs and nouns to describe, instead of
adjectives and adverbs.
5. Use facts, quotes and jargon to add authenticity
6. Make sure you write in the active voice