The primary differences between feature writing and hard news are the purpose of the stories and the reaction of readers. The purpose of hard news is to inform readers, while feature writing aims to evoke emotion. Readers of hard news immediately know the outcome and are informed, whereas feature writing does not focus on outcomes and allows writers to draw readers into the story. Reporting through interviewing, research, and observation is crucial for both and provides the foundation for building feature stories. Feature writers should spend 40% of their time doing research to find story ideas, 40% doing interviews and reporting, and 20% writing. Gathering rich details through in-person interviews and observation is key to capturing readers' attention and showing rather than telling.
The primary differences between feature writing and hard news are the purpose of the stories and the reaction of readers. The purpose of hard news is to inform readers, while feature writing aims to evoke emotion. Readers of hard news immediately know the outcome and are informed, whereas feature writing does not focus on outcomes and allows writers to draw readers into the story. Reporting through interviewing, research, and observation is crucial for both and provides the foundation for building feature stories. Feature writers should spend 40% of their time doing research to find story ideas, 40% doing interviews and reporting, and 20% writing. Gathering rich details through in-person interviews and observation is key to capturing readers' attention and showing rather than telling.
The primary differences between feature writing and hard news are the purpose of the stories and the reaction of readers. The purpose of hard news is to inform readers, while feature writing aims to evoke emotion. Readers of hard news immediately know the outcome and are informed, whereas feature writing does not focus on outcomes and allows writers to draw readers into the story. Reporting through interviewing, research, and observation is crucial for both and provides the foundation for building feature stories. Feature writers should spend 40% of their time doing research to find story ideas, 40% doing interviews and reporting, and 20% writing. Gathering rich details through in-person interviews and observation is key to capturing readers' attention and showing rather than telling.