How do you write a feature story?

Answer 1

Feature stories are nonfiction pieces; they are journalism's equivalent of an assigned essay.

You write a feature in the same way you would write any essay, but most feature stories tend to have a more narrative style - click on the Related Questions for more information about writing narrative essays.

Here are some types of feature stories that you can write:

• Analysis - an investigation of how something works, or the reasons behind an event.
• Behind the Scenes - write about an event from the inside, using a viewpoint that the average reader will not ever get to see, such as back stage at a concert or inside the employees-only area of any business.
• Background - the history of a person, business, place, or event.
• Chronology - a listing of events in some sort of timely order.
• Color Piece - a detailed description of something to add more information, such as a detailed interview with a celebrity or a detailed description of an event.
• Expert Roundup - information from various experts about something.
• Factbox - a listing of facts about something.
• Fly on the Wall - writing about an event as if you were observing it (as if you were a fly sitting on the wall at the event); this is most often used for events that the average reader will never get to attend, such as closed courtroom trials and boardroom meetings of big businesses.
• Full Texts - extracts of writing from another source, such as an excerpt from a popular book.
• In Disguise - a piece written using information that you got while disguised, such as getting a job as a waiter to write about the restaurant business, or pretending to be homeless to write about the welfare industry.
• Interview - a question and answer session with another person.
• Opinion Poll - the results of a poll, or series of questions asked to many different people in order to get their opinions.
• Profile - a detailed description of a person, often including an interview.
• Testimony - a first-hand account of something.
• Review - an opinion piece rating something, such as a movie or book, product, or form of entertainment.

Answer 2

Feature writing involves researching and then writing a special, in-depth piece for a magazine or newspaper. It is considered a special article because it focuses on one particular topic, and is not a regular part of the newspaper, the way a reporter's daily column might be. A feature might be a profile of a local celebrity, or an in-depth exploration of conditions at the local hospital, or a report on how a new group of immigrants are adjusting to life in your city.

Unlike a daily column about sports or fashion or business, which tends to be shorter, a feature is often much longer, and it is frequently a one-time-only look at a subject (or sometimes, it might be a short series of related articles, published over a two or three day period). Feature writers immerse themselves in their subject, because they will be telling a story with much more detail and more information than the typical newspaper article. Some features are amusing or entertaining, others are serious and thought-provoking. Some newspapers even have a Sunday magazine section which includes a number of different features.

Answer 3

To write a feature story, start by selecting an interesting topic. Conduct thorough research, including interviews and fact-checking. Structure your story with a compelling intro, body that explores the topic with examples and anecdotes, and a strong conclusion that ties everything together. Edit for clarity, grammar, and coherence before publishing.

Answer 4

A feature writer is a writer for a newspaper or magazine who actually researches and writes whole articles. This type of writer is generally the highest paid in the business.