Profile/Feature Writing

Prof. Vaccaro * Hofstra University

Today’s Roadmap0News Quiz

0Go over Assignment No. 3 obituary

0Lecture on profile / feature writing

0Prep for Assignment No. 4 feature

Purpose of features

0Feature articles are detailed pieces of writing which explore a range of issues, opinions, experiences and ideas.

0Longer in length, text, space, etc.

0Should appeal to the particular audience the article is targeting.

Storytelling structure

0 Stage 1: Tease me, you devil. Give the reader a reason to continue reading.

0 Stage 2: Tell me what you’re up to. What is the story really about?

0 Stage 3: Oh yeah? Prove what you just said. Use evidence to support your theme.

0 Stage 4: Help me remember it. Make it clear and forceful and give it a memorable ending.

Steps to writing

0 Before you begin writing, develop a focus/theme0 Use descriptive techniques

0 Cut down on use of adjectives, can present opinion if they’re used too much

0 Use analogies – compare vague concept to something familiar to readers0 Limit physical descriptions – i.e. you don’t need to talk about someone’s

suit at a court case0 Use lively verbs – i.e. flinch, wince, sprint, scramble, yank, spy, glare,

rattle0 Use foreshadowing – give a clue to something that will happen later

in the story0 Create tone – mystery, happiness, sadness, excitement, etc.

Beginning of feature

0 The first paragraph outlines the subject or theme of the article, it may also:

0 Provoke the reader's interest by making an unusual statement.

0 Provide any necessary background information.

0 Invite the reader to take sides by making a controversial statement.

0 Heighten the drama of an event or incident to intensify its appeal.

0 Establish the writer's tone.

0 Create a relationship between the writer and the reader.

Heart of feature0 The middle section consists of a number of paragraphs that expand the main topic of

the article into subtopics. The usual components are:

0 Subheadings.

0 Facts and statistics which support the writer's opinion.

0 Personal viewpoints.

0 Opinions from authorities and experts.

0 Quotes and interviews.

0 Anecdotes and stories.

0 Specific names, places and dates.

0 Photographs, tables, diagrams and graphs.

Wrap the feature story

0The concluding section should leave a lasting impression by:

0Reminding the reader of the article's main idea

0Suggesting an appropriate course of action.

0Encouraging a change of attitude or opinion.

Thinking about the big picture

0What kind of additional things should you look for?

0 Follow-up stories. Can this be a series?

0 How can you present this story on the web?

0 Photos/video

0 Social media updates/marketing for feature

Reporting techniques

0 Establish chronology

0 Gather detail, detail, detail

0 Ask sourced questions to construct a scene, relive moments

0 Research, research, research

0 Features are not built on fancy writing, but more on strong in-depth reporting

Writing techniques

0Organize the story by sections

0Short sentences

0Pacing

0Dialogue

0Narration

Read some features

0Everyone read 1 or 2 features in class right now

0Pulitzer prize feature stories

0Best magazine articles ever written

0NY Times Magazine

Key takeaways

0Gather details and take notes of your observations

0Use show-in-action techniques. Describe what people are doing.

0Use vivid action verbs.

0For narrative writing, try to envision yourself at the scene.

0Get a chronology to reconstruct events as they occurred.

Key takeaways

0Think of your story as a plot with a beginning, middle and climax.

0Envision your sources as characters in a book, make your reader see, hear and care about them.

0To write well, read well. Read as much fiction and nonfiction as you can, and study the writing styles.

Assignment No. 4

0Due Thursday, Nov. 27

0750-1,000 words

0Using what you learned today, combined with a newsworthy topic, construct a feature story about something that interests you

Next Class

0Next class is Tuesday, Nov. 27

0Assignment No. 4 due Thursday, Nov. 29

0News Quiz