FEATURE WRITING

What is a feature article (lathalain)?

It is hard to define a feature article because it can take so many forms and can cover so many subjects. However, a reader may easily distinguish feature stories from news stories through its different characteristics. A feature article is an essay based on fact. Its a virtual drop bag. It is never fictitious. This makes it different from ordinary essay you study in your literature class. Like an editorial, a feature article is hung on a newspeg. Feature stories, like news stories, are written to inform but they enlarge news in a leisurely and entertaining way. They are written to add life to the paper and therefore their style lends more to the creativity of a writer. The main objective of news is to inform while that of a feature article is toentertain. But feature articles may also instruct, advise, influence, inform, and entertain at the same time. The matrix below compares and contrasts news, feature and editorial articles. COMPARISON 1. Definition NEWS Report an event EDITORIAL Interpretation of an event/issue To interpret FEATURE An essay based on facts

2. Main Purpose

To inform

To entertain using present human interest stories

3. Timeliness 4. Length

Timely Short

Timely Around 300 words (2000 computer characters) Simple, forceful, direct

Timely Depends upon the needs May be descriptive, flowery, colorful

5. Use of words

Simple precise, concrete

6. Use of sentences

Short, simple, 15-25 words average

May be longer

May be longer

7. Paragraph

No topic sentence, one idea, one paragraph Journalistic, direct to the point, no idioms, figures of speech

With topic sentence, longer Journalistic, direct to the point, may use idioms, figures of speech if properly handled

With topic sentence, longer Literary, can be journalistic; idioms, figures of speech used freely As much as desired

8. Use of literary devices

9. Use of adjectives/opinion 10. Parts

Uses adjectives sparingly; opinion, never Lead, (Bridge), Body

Adjectives used freely; primarily opinion Introduction (newspeg, reaction), body, conclusion (clincher)

Introduction, body, ending

11. Style

Follows style-sheet newspaper style Inverted pyramid

Follows style-sheet, newspaper style Hypothesis, arguments/stand on

Composition style or newspaper style Suspended interest or pyramid structure

12. Structure

issue, conclusion 13. Title/Headline Short (subject-verb; telegraphic sentence form) 14. Kinds (Refer to the syllabus) Shorter (at most three words) Any length as long as it is appealing to the reader/topic

Note: Sports News is not included since this special news article combines News, Feature and Editorial precepts.

Ima gin e this

You are a reporter of a newspaper covering a beat in the Iloilo Port Terminal. While going home for work, you notice an old man ferrying people across a narrow waterway that divides the passenger bancas from the wharf. You have passed by him hundreds of times before without a second thought, but suddenly you get off your motorcycle press and grab your notepad. You have just spotted a feature story. You take a candid shot of the old man and start asking him questions about himself, his family, his job, his odd experience with the endless stream of humanity that he ferries daily across the small brook. At home, you sit down and focus your thoughts on the old gnarled ferryman and study the odds and ends about him on your notepad. You organize your material and determine your focus of interest. Then, you begin to write your story: REGIE Zabalacheng has the loneliest job in town. Each day, he ferries hundreds of people across the Iloilo stream, but no one bothers to say hello, or even give a friendly wave. Sabalacheng, 68, of 70 Lopez Jaena Street, Iloilo City, has been at his job for 40 solitary years. Nobody ever pays attention to me except to give me the two peso-fare after I get them safely across the river. I know them all by face because I see them every day but I dont know their names, Zabalacheng said with a cynical grin, I guess they dont know mine either. Its not a bad job, but it sure gets lonely. The story continues with more quotes from Zabalacheng, a description of his appearance and mannerisms, anecdotes from his 40-year career, and his family. Youve got a feature story.

The Wall Street Journal Formula

Here is a structure for features that the Wall Street Journal has used successfully for many years. Beginning (introduction)Start with an anecdote or an illustration of the theme (1 to 2 ThemeShortly after the beginning, state the point of the piece (3 to 6 paragraphs). BodyProvide details that elaborate on that theme. Tell the reader what is happening and why and whats being done about the situation. This serves rather than conclude on a secondary piece of information as to most news stories, a feature may have what is called a kicker, a punch at the end that drives home the theme and that the reader must always remember. (5 to 7 paragraphs)
th th rd th st nd

paragraphs).

Topics for Feature Stories

1. Personalities 2. Experience and adventure 3. Description 4. Narratives 5. Backgrounders

6. Developmental feature articles 7. What to do and How to articles

How to introduce (begin) the Feature article?

Unlike straight news, a feature article may begin in any form and in any style. It depends on the topic or purpose of the writer. Most features, however, may be introduced by any of the following:

1. Rhetorical question WHO says that age is an obstacle to education? Take it from Procopio Dimakulangan of San Miguel, Iloilo who stopped going to school 50 years ago after finishing the elementary grades. This year, he enrolled as a first year evening student at Andres Bonifacio High, Ateneo de Iloilos adopted school. 2. Startling statement HINDI pa kami laos! Ito ang pahayag ng mga young oncemga guro, pinuno ng paaralan at mga magulangnang kanilang ipinagdiwang ang Araw ng Ateneo, Agosto 17, at lumahok sila sa ibat ibang palatuntunan at paligsahan upang bigyang-buhay at kasanayan ang pagdiriwang. 3. Narrative statement MRS. NELIA Marie Pradas, a fourth year evening student sends herself and her six children to school, acting as mother and father at the same time. Every day, Mrs. Pradas takes her tentative place between the half-time tinderatending her sarisari store during the day and the half-time student studying at night. 4. Quoted remarks I EARN while I learn. He smiled at me as the interview reeled off. How can you work, have a part-time job as an exotic dancer, and at the same time go to school? I asked. Well, it is easy, she explained. I dont do all of these at the same time. 5. An old maxim, an aphorism or a salawikain TUBIG, tubig sa lahat ng dako, ngunit kahit isang patak ay walang maiinom. Itong siniping sabi ni Samuel Coleridge sa tulang The Ancient Mariner na wala nang bisa ngayon. Kahit na tubig na galing sa baha ay maiinom na. Paano? Ganito ang paraan. 6. History or background of the subject ISLAMS throughout the world, including our Filipino Muslim brothers observe the holy month of Ramadan, starting Sept. 17. Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar. It is observed by Muslims as the Lenten Season is commemorated by Christians. 7. Problems to be discussed in the article of fact to be established THIS IS the answer to the rising cost of vegetables: raise your own.

Ending the Feature article

1. A summary of the whole article MAKINIG ka sa dalubhasa: ang paninigarilyo ay lubhang masama sa kalusugan. Maaring maturingan kang tunay na lalaki dahil sa paninigarilyo mo, subalit hindi tatagal ang buhay mo upang mapatunayan mo ang iyong pagkalalaki. 2. An announcement of the main point for the first time

THEREFORE, a major part of the development communications effort should be directed at strengthening the character of the people and developing in them moral values, particularly by self-discipline, self-reliance, strength of character, and fortitude. 3. A question left in the readers mind ANG KAMAY ng makabagong Pilipino ay handang marumihan. Pinaiikoit niya ang gulong ng pangkaunlaran. Iwinawagayway niya ang bandila ng kalayaankalayaan laban sa paghihikahos, at kalayaan sa kamangmangan. 4. Suggested results or significance LET US conserve our forests now if we want to save the future of our country and of our children. 5. A forecast or prophecy IN SIX-AND-A-HALF centuries from now, if population explosion would not be checked, there would be one person standing on every square foot of land on earth. By that time, people would be devouring one another for there would be no more space for plants to grow. 6. A repetition of the introduction ASKED if he had formal training in photography, Lovely Sepe finally answered, Ah, it is now the reverse. It is here where I learn as I earn, not earn as I learn. (the lead of the feature article is, I learn while I earn). 7. A repetition of a sentence or slogan, or a reference to the title AFTER four years of working as a houseboy, working during the day and going to school at night, Jose Bonifacio will soon graduate as a first honor student. Now, who says that poverty is a hindrance to education? (The title of the feature article is Poverty, not a hindrance.) 8. An appropriate quotation NESTOR claims that he is poor. But when asked why he gave his last centavo to the old man, he answered: It is not what we give, but what we share For the gift, without the giver is bare, Who gives himself with his alms feeds three Himself, his hungering neighbor and me.

A good feature writer should possess the following:

1. a keen observation 2. an intellectual curiosity 3. ability to find features in everyday happenings 4. cupboards of descriptive words (using all senses)and everyday idioms 5. the skill to weave words into interesting sentences and paragraphs 6. the ability to write effectively 7. the attitude to think first before writing and to show (suggest), not tell, things

Feature Example
Topic: Abortion COME TO me, Mama. Come, touch me and feel my pain. Dont be afraid now, Mama. You werent when you killed me. Here, touch this can you feel it now, Mama? The excruciating pain that consumed my helpless body? You inflicted that, remember?

Look at my body, now a mass of rotting flesh and coagulated blood. The dregs of what was a tiny human body. A body that was soft with a tiny head matted with a sheen of baby hair. A tiny body with a tiny heart that pulsated in time with yours. These were my fingers and ohh!... Heres my thumb which I sucked while snugly tucked inside you. You see, I had long lashes just like Dads. My sensitive mouth was just like yours. And here are my ears that heard your quickening heartbeat when youre afraid. I could have been a wonderful child if youve let me live. I could have been baby boy, just what Daddy wanted. A strong, healthy and bubbly bundle in your arms. My hypersensitiveness would have exasperated you. Daddy? Hmmm He could have coached me in playing basketball. Hell be the passer and I am the shooter. I could have grown into a writer. You would be proud of me coz Im gonna join contests. Mama, see I was alive but not anymore. So, please let baby brother live. He could also be as wonderful as me. His life wouldnt be like mine. A life that never was.