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D i s t r i c t Tr a i n i n g o n C a m p u s J o u r n a l i s m I F e b r u a r y 1 4 - 1 6 , 2 0 2 4
WRITING THE

FEATURE
Gecil Eden C. Gulmatico
SPA/San Pablo National High School

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P R E S E N TAT I O N T I T L E

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FEATURE VS. NEWS
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.

The goal of a feature story is to

communicate the truth -- not fiction --
in a different way than a hard news
FEATURE VS. NEWS
Immediacy is everything in hard
news.
In feature, the immediacy of the event is
secondary. It's replaced by reader’s
interest. Elaboration, mood, context,
detailed description, emotion and,
sometimes, humor surround bare facts.
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 Jewel or Gem of the Newspaper

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 Feature Defined

WHAT IS A
• Its key function is to humanize, to add
FEATURE color, to educate, to entertain, to
STORY? illuminate.

• As opposed to news stories, news value is

substituted with human interest, mood,
atmosphere, emotion, irony, or humor.
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 Feature Defined

WHAT IS A
• Its key function is to humanize, to add
FEATURE color, to educate, to entertain, to
STORY? illuminate.

• If news stories typically follow the “5W’s

and 1H format”, feature stories are allowed—
sometimes, even encouraged—to deviate
from this formula.
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 Feature Defined

WHAT IS A FEATURE STORY?

• Like news stories, feature stories are also underpinned by
factual detail and news sense—but features are longer, more
expansive and more personal than news stories.
• It may or may not be tied to a current event.
• Feature writers have more freedom to use their own voice
and incorporate their own personal experiences. They can
also include more sources, background and context

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OBJECTIVES
Feature articles can be said to have two aims:
INFORM and ENTERTAIN.
Ideally, a feature has elements of both and
the writer can use a variety of techniques and
devices to add “color” to the story.
FEATURE SPELLS:
F – factual not fictitious
E – Entertaining
A – appealing to the emotions
T – timely or not timely
U – unusual
R – reader-oriented
E – explanation, extrapolation –
extending or projecting known info
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STRUCTURE
OF THE
FEATURE •LEAD
STORY
•BODY
•CONCLUSION
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STRUCTURE
OF THE
FEATURE
STORY
LEAD
• The most important function of an introduction
to a feature story is that first, it needs to make
the reader want to continue
• Second, it must explain what it is all about.
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 STRUCTURE OF THE FEATURE
STORY
The 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 LEADS
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?
• Minsan ay nakapagtataka ang buhay. Para saan ba’t nabubuhay ang
tao? Para sa karangalan? Para sa pera? O para lamang magkaroon
ng hininga at mabuhay nang buong maghapon?
 KINDS OF LEADS
2.Exclamation Lead
–The opening sentence by its very nature compels
attention.
• Sink or swim!
• It’s now or never!
• Hindi modernisasyon, kundi humanisasyon!
 KINDS OF LEADS
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.”
• In John F. Kennedy’s words, “United there’s little
we cannot do. Divided, there’s little we can do.”
 KINDS OF LEADS
4. Descriptive Lead
• – This kind gives vivid description of a person, place or
situation so that the reader creates a mental picture of it.
• Thousands dressed in scarlet and gray T-shirts eagerly
shuffled into the football stadium as the university fight
song blared.
• Masikip, marumi at hindi matitirahan. Iayan ang komento ng
marami sa mga Bunk Houses na ibinigay ng gobyerno.
 KINDS OF LEADS
5. Striking Statement
A short snappy statement set off in a paragraph by
itself.
• The boat people are here to stay.
• The convict hanged himself.
• Sa bawat tuklas ng bagong kaalaman, isang patak ng
liwanag ang bumubukas sa madilim na kaharian ng
kamangmangan.
 KINDS OF LEADS
6. Contrast Lead
points out the opposites and extremes. It might compare poverty
and wealth, stress and relaxation.
• 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 for winning the jackpot prize in lottery.
• Mabaho, kalat-kalat at gabundok na basura, iyan ang mukha ng Sitio
Doming noon pero ngayon sentro na ng lugar matapos Manalo sa
pagandahan at palinisan ng barangay.
 KINDS OF LEADS
7. Narrative Lead
written in a form of narration. This allows the writer to tell a story in a more
traditional, sometimes chronological way.
• Unwilling to accept the news he had just received from the doctors, he lowered
his head in defeat. His mother sat speechless in the corner, one tear rolling
down her face as she saw her son’s chance to claim a state wrestling medal
disappear because his heart just wouldn’t allow it.
• Makinig ka sa mga dalubhasa; ang paninigarilyo ay lubhang masama sa
kalusugan. Maaring maturingan kang tunay na laalki dahil sa paninigarilyo mo,
subalit hindi tatagal ang buhay mo upang mapatunayan mo ang iyong
pagkalalaki.
 KINDS OF LEADS
8. Summary Lead
it’s meant to give a quick summary in as few
words as possible and is usually one sentence.
• Juan Dela Cruz supports his studies by cleaning
the animal cages in Manila Zoo.
STRUCTURE
OF THE
FEATURE
STORY
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.
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STRUCTURE
OF THE
FEATURE
STORY
BODY
• In the body, the writer makes use of descriptions,
narrations, figures of speech, idiomatic expressions,
quotations, surveys, statistics, interviews, incidents
and anecdotes that give color to the story.
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STRUCTURE
OF THE
FEATURE CONCLUSION
STORY
It can be. . .
• A comment
• Arguing a case / drawing a conclusion
• A concluding quote
• A pointed question 
• A summary of the article
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TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
1. News Feature
2. Informative
3. Service Feature or the “How-to”
Feature
4. Personality Sketch
5. Personal Experience
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TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
6. Humorous Feature
7. Developmental Feature
8. Human Interest Story
9. Seasonal or Holiday Features
10. Science and Technology
Feature
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TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
11. Historical and Cultural
Feature
12. Lifestyle Feature
13. Entertainment Feature
14. Hobby Feature
15. Career Feature
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 TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
1. NEWS FEATURE - This is some kind of a news
event but the story goes deeper than a news item
as more background information and related
details are presented and expounded on.
2. INFORMATIVE - This is an article that is highly
informative but entertaining. Based on interview or
taken from research.
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 TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
3. SERVICE FEATURE or A “HOW-TO”
FEATURE- This deals with instructive articles that
help readers cope with everyday living.
4. PERSONALITY SKETCH- This article features
a person, popular or not, rich or poor, but has done
something worth publishing or is currently
engaged in an interesting or profitable endeavor.

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 TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
5. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE This emanates not only
-
from earthshaking experiences like riding an
airplane that was hijacked; being caught inside a
movie house on fire, or being one of the survivors
of a volcano eruption or earthquake but also even
from ordinary experiences that happen everyday.

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 TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
6. HUMOROUS FEATURE- story with wit and
humor
7. DEVELOPMENTAL FEATURE- This
features some current or newly launched
projects or programs of the government that
need to be disseminated and that would draw
public support.
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 TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
8. HUMAN INTEREST STORY - appeals to
emotion, has a little news value or none at
all but has a human interest appeal with
interesting style .
9. Seasonal or Holiday Feature-
includes subjects like events celebrated
once a year.
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 TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
10. Science and Technology Feature -
concerned on the latest advancement in
science and technology.
11. Historical and Cultural Feature –
historical events and sites that can
provide readers sense of identity.
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 TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
12. Lifestyle Feature- the quick
change of fashion trends and lifestyle
makes an interesting reading.
13. Entertainment Feature – movie
stars, pop singers, show business
events are common subjects.
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 TYPES OF FEATURE
STORY
14. Hobby Feature- primarily
interests the readers who are into
exceptional hobbies.
15. Career Feature – focuses on
career guidance, tips or issues
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 TIPS IN WRITING YOUR FEATURE
ARTICLE
• 1. Choose an interesting subject.
 2. Narrow down your subject to just one specific area or
sub-topic. Think of a fresh angle to the topic.
 3. Give it a tentative title.
 4. Prepare your outline.
 5. Highlight the important things you wish to feature.
 TIPS IN WRITING YOUR
FEATURE ARTICLE
 6. Focus on the main or most important feature with
specific details. Use data gathered from interviews, surveys,
researches or personal experiences.
 7. Use devices such as figures of speech, idiomatic
expressions, quotations and the like in order to give color to
the feature and hold the interest of the readers.
 TIPS IN WRITING YOUR
FEATURE ARTICLE
 8. Read what you have written paying attention
to what should be added or omitted.
 9. Rewrite your piece. Give it a catchy head or
title.
 10. Make the final copy.
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 A L I F E T H AT N E V E R WA S
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 ? 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 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 could have coached me in playing softball. I could
have grown into a writer. You would have been proud of me.
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
would not be like as mine – a life that never was …
Ang mapagpagaling na pagmamahal ng ating ama
s a p a m a m a g i t a n n i F r. F e r n a n d o S u a r e z

SA lahat ng kanyang mga letrato at karatula o poster, sinisiguro ni Father Suarez na

natatakpan ng kalis at ostiya ang kanyang mukha upang masiguro na maalala ng mga
tao ang pinagmulan ng kanilang paggaling. Ayon sa kanya, pagtitiwala at paniniwala
ang nais ng ating Ama mula sa atin.
Isang kwento ng pagpapagaling ang naalala ni Father Suarez. Hiniling ng kaibigan
niyang si Trina David na nasa New York ang panalangin habang siya ay nasa Baguio
City. Kinabukasan, nakatanggap siya ng tawag mula kay Trina. Sabi ni Trina, “Hi,
Father Suarez, si Trina ito… Si Charlie ay nasa bahay ko habang kayo ay
nagmimisa… Meron siyang lung cancer at brain tumor… Magaling na siya
ngayon…. Nagulat ang doctor at hindi ito makapaniwala sa pangyayari.” Sinabi pa
niya, “Salamat, Father Suarez, sa pananalangin ninyo sa telepono para sa aking
kaibigan.” “Ang importante pagkatapos na tayo ay gumaling sa pisikal,” paalala ni
Father Suarez, “ay ang makilala natin ang pagmamahal ng Diyos.
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Kapag tayo ay magaling na, huwag tayong huminto. Marami pang maiibigay
si Hesus. Mayroon pang mas matimbang na uri ng kagalingan, at ito ay ang
kaligayahang dulot ng malalim na pagkakilala sa Diyos.”
Sa pamamagitan ng mga Healing Mass na ginawa niya sa Ireland,
London, Australia, Paris, United Arab Emirates, Bethlehem, Saudi Arabia,
Canada, Indonesia, New Jersey, California at iba pang dako ng mundo,
marami sa mga tao na napagaling na may ibang pananampalataya o relihiyon
ang nagsimulang magsaliksik kung saan nanggaling ang biyayang ito ang
nakatagpo ng mas malalim na kahulugan ng buhay mula sa kanilang
nasumpungang bagong pananalig.

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“You don’t need to be a superhero to do
supernatural things. You just need to believe
in yourself and have faith that can move
mountains.”
- Gee Eey
Educator/Content Creator/Influencer

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THANK YOU