🏀Sports Storytelling Unit 8 – Feature Writing in Sports Journalism

Key Concepts in Feature Writing

• Feature writing delves deeper into a story, providing more context, background, and human interest than traditional news reporting
• Focuses on the "why" and "how" behind the news, offering readers a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter
• Employs a narrative style that engages readers emotionally, using vivid descriptions, anecdotes, and quotes to bring the story to life
• Requires extensive research, interviews, and observation to uncover the most compelling aspects of the story
• Aims to entertain, inform, and sometimes even inspire readers, leaving a lasting impression long after they've finished reading
• Allows for greater creativity and flexibility in structure and style compared to traditional news writing
• Often explores the human side of sports, highlighting the struggles, triumphs, and personalities of athletes, coaches, and fans

Types of Sports Features

• Profiles: In-depth articles that explore the life, career, and personality of a specific athlete, coach, or sports figure (e.g., a feature on a star quarterback's journey from high school to the NFL)
• Behind-the-scenes stories: Features that take readers into the locker room, training facilities, or personal lives of athletes and teams, offering a glimpse into the world of sports that fans don't usually see
• Historical pieces: Articles that delve into significant moments, events, or figures in sports history, providing context and analysis for their lasting impact on the game and society (e.g., a feature on the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's "Miracle on Ice")
• Investigative features: In-depth articles that uncover wrongdoing, corruption, or controversial issues within the sports world, often requiring extensive research and interviews with multiple sources
• Human interest stories: Features that focus on the personal struggles, triumphs, and experiences of athletes, fans, or others connected to the sports world, aiming to evoke an emotional response from readers
• Trend pieces: Articles that explore emerging trends, issues, or phenomena within the sports world, analyzing their causes, effects, and potential implications for the future of the game

Research and Preparation

• Conduct thorough background research on the subject, including their personal history, career highlights, and any relevant news or controversies
• Review previous interviews, articles, and other media coverage to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject and avoid duplicating existing content
• Identify key sources, such as teammates, coaches, family members, and experts, who can provide valuable insights and perspectives on the subject
• Develop a clear angle or focus for the feature, ensuring that it offers a fresh, compelling perspective on the subject matter
• Create a detailed outline or roadmap for the article, organizing the key points, quotes, and narrative elements in a logical, engaging sequence
• Gather relevant statistics, records, and other data that can help illustrate the subject's achievements, impact, or significance within their sport
• Prepare a list of thoughtful, open-ended questions that will elicit insightful, revealing responses from the subject and other sources during interviews

Crafting Compelling Narratives

• Begin with a strong, engaging lead that hooks readers and sets the tone for the rest of the article (e.g., an anecdote, vivid description, or powerful quote)
• Use descriptive language to create a vivid, immersive sense of place, transporting readers into the world of the subject and their sport
• Employ dialogue, quotes, and other firsthand accounts to bring the story to life and provide a sense of authenticity and immediacy
• Weave background information, context, and analysis seamlessly into the narrative, avoiding long, dry passages of exposition
• Use metaphors, analogies, and other literary devices to help readers connect with the subject matter on a deeper, more emotional level
• Create a clear, compelling arc for the story, with a beginning, middle, and end that build toward a satisfying, thought-provoking conclusion
• End with a strong, memorable kicker that leaves a lasting impression on readers and ties together the key themes and ideas of the feature

Interview Techniques for Sports Features

• Conduct research beforehand to develop informed, insightful questions that go beyond surface-level topics and elicit revealing, authentic responses
• Establish rapport with the subject, creating a comfortable, conversational atmosphere that encourages openness and honesty
• Use open-ended questions that invite the subject to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in their own words, rather than simply confirming or denying facts
• Listen actively and attentively, allowing the subject to speak without interruption and following up on interesting points or themes that emerge during the conversation
• Ask follow-up questions that probe deeper into the subject's responses, seeking clarification, elaboration, or specific examples to enrich the story
• Be prepared to deviate from your planned questions if the conversation takes an unexpected but promising turn, remaining flexible and adaptable throughout the interview
• Observe and record the subject's nonverbal cues, such as body language, tone of voice, and emotional responses, which can provide valuable insights and context for the story

Structure and Style in Sports Features

• Choose a structure that best suits the subject matter and narrative arc of the story, whether chronological, thematic, or a combination of both
• Use subheadings, bullet points, and other visual elements to break up the text and make the article more readable and engaging
• Vary sentence length and structure to create a rhythmic, engaging flow that keeps readers interested and avoids monotony
• Employ a clear, concise writing style that is accessible to a wide range of readers, avoiding jargon or technical language unless necessary for the story
• Use active voice and strong, vivid verbs to create a sense of immediacy and energy throughout the article
• Incorporate sensory details and descriptive language to help readers visualize and experience the world of the subject and their sport
• Maintain a consistent tone and voice throughout the feature, ensuring that it aligns with the subject matter and intended audience

Ethical Considerations

• Ensure that all information in the feature is accurate, factual, and properly sourced, avoiding speculation, rumor, or unverified claims
• Respect the privacy and boundaries of the subject and other sources, obtaining consent for interviews and using information responsibly and sensitively
• Avoid conflicts of interest or bias, disclosing any personal or professional relationships that may influence the content or perspective of the feature
• Strive for balance and fairness in the portrayal of the subject and other individuals mentioned in the story, presenting multiple viewpoints and avoiding one-sided or agenda-driven reporting
• Be transparent about the sources and methods used in the creation of the feature, providing attribution and context for quotes, data, and other information
• Consider the potential impact of the feature on the subject, their family, and others involved in the story, weighing the public interest against the potential for harm or unintended consequences
• Adhere to the principles of journalistic integrity and ethics, such as honesty, accountability, and independence, throughout the research, writing, and publication process

Editing and Polishing Your Feature

• Set aside ample time for revision and editing, allowing yourself to step away from the piece and return with fresh eyes and perspective
• Read the feature aloud to identify awkward phrasing, repetition, or other issues that may not be apparent on the page
• Trim unnecessary words, phrases, and sentences, streamlining the prose and ensuring that every element serves a clear purpose in the story
• Check for consistency in style, tone, and voice throughout the feature, making sure that it flows smoothly from beginning to end
• Verify all facts, names, dates, and other details for accuracy, using reliable sources and double-checking with subjects or experts if necessary
• Proofread carefully for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, using tools like spell check and style guides to ensure consistency and correctness
• Seek feedback from colleagues, editors, or beta readers, using their insights and suggestions to refine and improve the feature before publication
• Consider the visual presentation of the feature, working with designers or multimedia specialists to create compelling layouts, graphics, or other elements that enhance the story