✍️Feature Writing

What do you learn in Feature Writing

Feature Writing teaches you how to craft compelling, in-depth stories that go beyond basic news reporting. You'll learn to develop unique angles, conduct thorough research, and use narrative techniques to engage readers. The course covers different types of features, including profiles, trend pieces, and human interest stories, while focusing on developing your own writing style and voice.

Is Feature Writing hard?

Feature Writing can be challenging, but it's also super rewarding. The hardest part is often coming up with fresh ideas and angles that haven't been done to death. You'll need to put in some serious effort to research and interview people, which can be time-consuming. But once you get the hang of it, it's pretty fun to see your stories come to life on the page.

Tips for taking Feature Writing in college

1. Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram for exams and brush up on key concepts. 🌶️
2. Read a ton of feature articles from different publications to get a feel for various styles.
3. Keep a notebook or app handy to jot down story ideas whenever inspiration strikes.
4. Practice interviewing friends or family to get comfortable with asking questions.
5. Watch documentaries like "Page One: Inside the New York Times" for insight into journalism.
6. Experiment with different writing techniques, like using dialogue or descriptive scenes.
7. Join your school's newspaper or literary magazine to get more writing practice.

Common pre-requisites for Feature Writing

Introduction to Journalism: This course covers the basics of news writing, media ethics, and journalistic principles. It's a great foundation for understanding the field before diving into more specialized writing.

News Writing and Reporting: Here, you'll learn how to gather information, conduct interviews, and write concise news stories. This class helps sharpen your reporting skills, which are crucial for feature writing.

Classes similar to Feature Writing

Magazine Writing: Focuses on crafting longer-form articles for print and digital magazines. You'll learn about pitching ideas, working with editors, and tailoring your writing to specific publications.

Creative Nonfiction: Explores the art of telling true stories using creative writing techniques. This class helps you develop a more literary style that can enhance your feature writing.

Investigative Journalism: Teaches you how to dig deep into complex stories, uncover hidden information, and present findings in a compelling narrative. It's great for developing research and analytical skills.

Multimedia Storytelling: Combines writing with other media elements like photos, videos, and interactive graphics. You'll learn how to create immersive stories for digital platforms.

Majors related to Feature Writing

Journalism: Focuses on reporting, writing, and producing news across various media platforms. Students learn about ethics, media law, and different types of journalistic writing.

English: Involves studying literature, language, and writing. Students develop strong analytical and communication skills that can be applied to various forms of writing, including features.

Communications: Explores how information is shared across different channels. Students learn about media theory, public relations, and effective communication strategies.

Creative Writing: Emphasizes developing original written work in various genres. Students hone their storytelling skills and learn to craft engaging narratives, which can be applied to feature writing.

What can you do with a degree in Feature Writing?

Magazine Writer: Produces in-depth articles for print and digital publications. They often specialize in specific topics like travel, food, or technology.

Freelance Journalist: Works independently, pitching and writing stories for various outlets. They have the flexibility to cover diverse topics and work with multiple publications.

Content Strategist: Develops and manages content for businesses or organizations. They create engaging stories and articles to attract and retain audiences across different platforms.

Book Author: Writes long-form nonfiction books on various subjects. They often use their feature writing skills to craft compelling narratives and explore topics in depth.

Feature Writing FAQs

How long are typical feature articles? Feature articles can range from 1,000 to 5,000 words or more. The length often depends on the publication and the complexity of the topic.

Do I need to be an expert in a specific subject to write features? Not necessarily. Good feature writers are often curious generalists who can quickly research and become knowledgeable about various topics.

How is feature writing different from news writing? Feature writing allows for more creativity and personal style compared to news writing. It often includes more descriptive language, scenes, and character development.