feature writing

a lecture prepared by: Neil Cirilo

 Basics
A feature story aims to educate and entertain the readers. It reflects the best in a
writer. It can be personal, colorful, and opinionated, but without deviating from the facts. It
may be longer and in-depth compared to a straightforward news story. It carries feelings and
impressions. It should be able to grab the reader’s attention instantly and hold that attention.

Source:https://www.wheninmanila.com/basics-of-feature-writing-the-art-of-telling-stories/
 Elements
• Human Interest
• Timelessness/Non-perishability
• Atmosphere and Mood
• Entertaining Nature
• Creativity
• Informativeness
• Communicability
 5 Common techniques
• Adding specific information
• Creating sensory images
• Finding the best angle
• Incorporating quotations
• Developing story arc
 Writing Feature Story
• Title
• Can be creative
• Can be mysterious (but make sure it will make sense after reading the article)
• Can be simply and directly about the story
• Introduction
this is the most important part of the feature story because this is how you will hook the readers to read the
article. This is like an invitation.
• Question
• Quotation*
• Narration
• Description
• Analysis
• Atmosphere*
• Sequence
• Direct Address
• Comparison and Contrast
• Witty lines*
• Literary Allusion
• Punch*
 Writing Feature Story
• Body
• Must have facts (people, places, events/incidents, situations) description, quotes
(newsworthiness, contextualization)
• May use subheads or subtitles as division*
• Final Statement
• Climax
• Conclusion
• Revelation
• Summary/Recap
 Dos and DON’Ts
• Do: Show, don’t just tell
• Do: People your story, and let them breathe
• Do: Be factual, but provide color
• Do: Make them experience the experience
• Do: Temper your modifiers
• Don’t editorialize
• Don’t use flowery language
 Being a better feature writer
• Read a lot (Magazines, feature stories online, essays, poetry and sources
of information and facts like news articles)
• Watch (TV Magazine programs, YouTube, News)
• Write! (practice writing actual feature stories in different angles for
different audience.)
 Writing in competitions
• This is what I do:
• Relax. Absorb the topic and internalize (5 mins.)
• Determine the audience (Tone, mood, choice of words)
• [Think of a witty title] Try different angles (2-3) and choose the best
• Write 2 different introductions (of the same angle)
• Outline (only the first sentences. I don’t do drafts because it’s time consuming)
• Check the cohesiveness of the outline
• Write the Body (will recommend the use of subheadings or subtitles if the topic is broad)
• [Think of a witty title]
• Finish with a powerful final statement
 Sources
• Feature Writing: Humanizing the Story by Prof Ben G. Domingo Jr.
• Wheninmanila.com
• CLSU Collegian Dayubhasa
• CLSU Collegian Newsletter 2018