6.3 Feature Writing Strategies

Feature writing brings stories to life through vivid descriptions and compelling characters. It goes beyond basic facts, using creative techniques to engage readers emotionally and intellectually.

Strong features combine thorough research with storytelling skills. Writers craft unique angles, conduct in-depth interviews, and employ literary devices to create immersive narratives that inform and resonate with audiences.

Feature Writing Fundamentals

Elements of compelling feature stories

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• Strong angle establishes unique perspective on topic, clear focus or theme, and relevance to target audience (climate change impacts on local agriculture)
• Vivid descriptions incorporate sensory details, figurative language, and specific concrete imagery (sun-baked fields, withered crops)
• Well-developed characters include backstory, motivations, personality traits, actions and dialogue (struggling farmer adapting to changing weather patterns)
• Narrative structure features engaging opening, logical flow of information, and satisfying conclusion (personal anecdote leading to broader climate trends)

Research and interview techniques

• Research techniques utilize primary sources like original documents and firsthand accounts, secondary sources including books, academic journals, and reputable news articles
• Interview skills involve preparing questions, active listening, and follow-up inquiries to dig deeper into subjects' experiences
• Fact-checking verifies information from multiple sources and cross-references data to ensure accuracy
• Note-taking methods employ recording devices and shorthand techniques to capture detailed information efficiently

Creative Writing and Storytelling Techniques

Creative writing for features

• Dialogue captures authentic speech patterns and reveals character through conversation ("We've never seen a drought like this before," the farmer sighed)
• Scene-setting establishes time and place while creating atmosphere (dusty fields at sunset, distant rumble of irrigation equipment)
• Sensory details incorporate sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to evoke emotional responses (parched soil crumbling between fingers)
• Narrative pacing balances action and reflection, using tension and release to maintain reader engagement
• Literary devices like metaphors, similes, and foreshadowing enhance storytelling (crops withering like hopes for a bountiful harvest)

Unique angles in feature articles

• Human interest angles focus on personal stories and emotional connections (family farm's struggle to adapt to changing climate)
• Unique perspectives highlight unconventional viewpoints and underrepresented voices (indigenous farming practices as climate solutions)
• Timeliness and relevance connect to current events and address ongoing social issues (global food security concerns)
• Storytelling techniques employ narrative arc and character development to create compelling narratives
• Reader engagement fosters through relatable content and thought-provoking questions (How will climate change affect your local food supply?)
• Impact and significance emphasize long-term consequences and broader implications of the story (future of agriculture in a warming world)