8.2 Feature writing and long-form journalism

Feature writing and long-form journalism offer a deeper dive into stories, going beyond the surface-level facts of news reporting. These formats allow journalists to explore complex topics, people, and events in-depth, using descriptive language and varied structures to engage readers.

Unlike news reports, features use emotional appeal and human interest elements to make a lasting impact. They require extensive research, careful planning, and skillful execution to craft compelling narratives that balance human stories with factual information, providing context and analysis on important issues.

Feature Writing and Long-form Journalism

News reporting vs feature writing

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• News reporting delivers timely, objective facts about current events in a concise, inverted pyramid structure (5 Ws and H)
• Feature writing explores topics, people, or events in-depth using descriptive, narrative language and varied structures (profiles, human interest stories)
• News focuses on immediate relevance while features cover timeless subjects providing context, background, and analysis
• Features use emotional appeal and human interest elements (anecdotes, quotes) to engage readers and make a lasting impact

Strategies for long-form journalism

• Research: Identify relevant sources (experts, witnesses, documents, data), conduct thorough background research, verify information, fact-check claims
• Planning: Determine story angle and focus, outline key points and structure, schedule interviews, gather necessary resources (visuals, data)
• Execution:
  1. Conduct interviews, gather quotes, and collect supporting evidence
  2. Write an engaging lead and compelling narrative that hooks readers
  3. Incorporate facts, analysis, and human interest elements seamlessly
  4. Edit for clarity, coherence, and impact, ensuring a logical flow of ideas

Crafting engaging feature articles

• Human interest elements: Include compelling characters, personal stories, descriptive details, and sensory language (sight, sound, smell) to create an emotional connection with readers
• Factual information: Integrate accurate data, statistics, quotes, historical context, and expert insights to provide a solid foundation of credibility
• Balancing elements: Interweave human stories with factual information using anecdotes and examples to illustrate larger points and provide analysis and interpretation to give meaning to facts

Impact of long-form journalism

• In-depth coverage allows for thorough exploration of multifaceted topics (politics, social issues), providing context, nuance, and multiple perspectives to help readers understand complex issues beyond surface-level facts
• Raises awareness and sparks conversations about important issues (inequality, climate change), influences public opinion and policy decisions, encourages critical thinking and informed debate
• Investigative reports expose corruption or injustice (Watergate scandal), narrative features humanize social issues or marginalized communities (homelessness, refugees), explanatory pieces break down complex topics (global economy, scientific discoveries)

Ethical Considerations and Best Practices

Adhering to ethical standards

• Accuracy and fact-checking: Verify information from multiple sources, correct errors promptly and transparently to maintain credibility
• Fairness and balance: Present multiple perspectives and viewpoints, give subjects opportunity to respond to criticism or allegations to avoid bias
• Transparency and disclosure: Disclose conflicts of interest or personal biases, attribute information to sources, credit other journalists' work to ensure honesty
• Sensitivity and empathy: Handle sensitive topics (trauma, grief) and vulnerable sources with care, minimize harm, consider potential impact on subjects' lives to uphold compassion
• Storytelling techniques: Use vivid details and sensory language to immerse readers, employ narrative arc (exposition, rising action, climax, resolution) and structure to maintain engagement, experiment with creative formats (non-linear storytelling, multimedia elements) to innovate