Learn About Feature Writing

Writing a Feature begins with two important factors: your topic and how much space you can devote to it–your assigned word count. You must work within this parameter, which means you can’t stray off topic. You should, however, go into as much depth as possible. This usually includes conducting interviews and gathering background information.

For example, a news report might read: “Witnesses report that the pipe burst at 1:32 p.m.”
While a feature might read: “Joe Smith said he saw the pipe burst from his kitchen window just as he was cleaning up from lunch, at 1:32 p.m. “Water shot 10 feet high and drenched everyone in sight," Smith said.”

Features typically include expert opinions. Why did the pipe burst? You might get statements from a knowledgeable pipefitter explaining likely problems the pipe may have had. Did any passersby sustain injuries? A news report would most likely give a yes or no answer to that, and, if so, cite the number of injured bystanders.

Choose an interesting, newsworthy subject

We’ve talked about picking an interesting, timely, and relevant topic for other types of writing. But this is a bit more specific. You need to feature a person, group, or business. In other words, you need to pick a subject.

This can be difficult. After all, you might know several subjects personally, making it impossible to cover them, even if they are interesting and relevant. And, even if you can come up with a quality idea, not all subjects (include directors, founders, owners, and individuals) are going to be willing to meet with you.

Write your draft

 

Now, go ahead and compile your piece. Usually, with feature stories, you’ll start by placing your quotes and building around them. After all, what your subject has to say is more relevant than what you have to say. The community wants to hear their voice.

Schedule a convenient, in-person interview

 

This is where the going gets tough. You need to contact your subject and schedule an in-person (not email, not cell phone, not Skype) interview. If you’re covering a group or entity, you may need to interview two or three different people, and you might not be able to get all of your interviewees at one time. Thus, the process becomes a bit muddled.

Ask for approval/clarification before publishing

 

Once you’ve finished, you can do one of two things. First, you can send your work immediately to your professor or editor and call it a day. Or you can send the piece to your subject for review.

Remember, this does not mean your subject has a free pass to add or change whatever they want. In fact, you shouldn’t give them the paste right to change anything at all.

Happy Learning!

Anamika Gupta

IAAN