The 8 Characteristics of Good Writing

• CLARITY • FOCUS

• UNITY • COHERENCE

• ORGANIZATION • RELEVANCE

• STYLE • CONVENTION
 The 5 Elements of Good Writing
• PURPOSE (clear audience, subject, and genre)

• DIRECTION (proper structure, organization,

logical order)

• IDEAS (connection to reader, specific details)

• STYLE (expression, word choice, sentence

variety, figurative language)

• PRESENTATION (spelling, punctuation,

capitalization, paragraphing, neatness,
pen or typed)
 Feature Writing

nerissa p. langit
faculty member
lyceum of the philippines (lpu)-cavite
Definition
Feature story is an article
with an enticing title and an
equally exciting
lead paragraph,
sustained interest, suspended
and reasonably satisfying
ending.
(Ivar Garcia, 1998)
 Feature Story vs. News Story
Hard news stories move briskly through
the five W's and the H, packing in just
enough detail to give readers a clear
picture of the news.

Immediacy is everything
in hard news.
 Feature Story vs. News Story

In features, the immediacy of the event is

secondary.
It's replaced by reader interest. Bare
facts are surrounded by elaboration,
interpretation, mood, context, detailed
description, emotion, irony and humor.
 Feature Story vs. News Story

The goal of a feature story is to

communicate the truth -- not fiction
-- in a different way than a hard
news story.
 Characteristics

Feature is underpinned by factual

detail and news sense - but longer,
more expansive and more personal than
news reporting.
It has more freedom to use own
voice, personal experience.
It presents more sources,
background and context.
 Characteristics

It may or may not be tied to a

current event.

Feature will often be longer than a

traditional news story.
Functions

 to humanize
 to add color
 to educate
 to entertain
 to illuminate
 Style
Style is the way writing is dressed up (or
down) to fit the specific context, purpose,
or audience.

Word choice, sentence fluency, and the

writer’s voice — all contribute to the style
of a piece of writing.
Style

Style is not a matter of

right and wrong
but of what is appropriate
for a particular
setting and audience
Elements of Style

Word choice

Sentence Fluency

Voice
Style

Style is the control of language that is

appropriate to the purpose, audience,
and context of the writing task. The
writer’s style is evident through word
choice and sentence fluency.
Style

Skillful use of precise, purposeful

vocabulary enhances the effectiveness
of the composition through the use of
appropriate words, phrases and
descriptions that engage the audience.
Style

Sentence fluency involves using a variety

of sentence styles to establish effective
relationships between and among ideas,
causes, and/or statements appropriate to
the task.
 Types of features

•News feature developed

around a timely event
 Types of features

• Informative zeroes in on the

little known, the odd
or unusual
 Types of features

• Historical –
Some historical relevance to
contemporary public. Usually
done around the
holidays.
Types of features

•Personal experience

Recounts the accomplishments

of an individual or group.
 Types of features

•Descriptive- centers on places

people can visit
or events in which they can take
part.
 Types of features

• How-to-do-it-yourself
How to build live etc.
 Types of features
• Profile
Examines ONLY one or two
aspects of a person.
Paint word pictures.
Talk to other people.
Use anecdotes.
 Techniques in Writing Feature
Figurative language helps recreate scenes or sensations. It's
how a writer shows vs. tells the story. Devices include

• Metaphor -- An implied comparison between

two unlike things. EXAMPLE: To the soldiers in
his unit, Jacobs walks on water.

• Simile -- A stated comparison between two

unlike things. EXAMPLE: The borders in Israel
shift almost as often as the sands in the Judean
Hills.

• Personification-- Giving life-like characteristics

to something lifeless.

• Hyperbole -- Emphasizing something by

deliberately overstating or understating it.
 Techniques in Writing Feature
• Good feature stories contain anecdotes,
description, attributive verbs and direct
quotes.

• Use descriptive verbs and nouns instead of

adverbs and adjectives.

• Use only the best quotes. The quotes must

SAY or SHOW something.

• Be specific in description. Create a detailed

picture the reader can SEE.
Feature writes about life
Feature writes about life