Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
the feature
story
Madz Quiamco
AIJC
madz quiamco
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What is a feature story?
a creative, sometimes subjective article
designed to describe/discuss in depth
- an event or process
- a situation
- a person or group
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What are its general
classifications?
Descriptive feature — builds a mental picture of a
place, an event, a situation, a way of life, a
noteworthy activity, or a wrong being perpetuated.
Elements:
careful phrasing
a viewing experience
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General classifications
Personality profile — woven around an
interesting character: his/her outstanding deeds,
experiences, past trials and how he/she
overcame them, ideas, feelings, concerns,
hopes, etc.
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General classifications
Elements of the personality profile:
What the subject says
What the subject does
Description of the subject
History of the subject
What others think and say about the subject
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General classifications
Personal experience — first-person account of
a unique, thrilling, or highly interesting
experience, or one with which readers can
identify
Elements:
Sharing an experience
Unrelenting focus
Realistic presentation using a personal,
intimate tone
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General classifications
Informative — shares with the readers behind-
the-scene information that adds to their
knowledge about an activity or process; should
move reader to say: “I didn’t know that!”
Elements:
Unearthing the facts — includes “translating”
scholarly or technical material
“Dressing up” the facts — presenting facts in
an interesting, pleasing manner.
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General classifications
Narrative — factual short stories that hold
interest by the unfolding of events; may or may
not be personal experiences.
Elements:
To instruct, guide, and entertain readers
Told chronologically from start to finish
Uses essential devices of the short story:
conversation, rapid action, vivid description,
thrilling adventure, suspense.
Does not use fictitious or exaggerated details
Writer is not an essentially visible component
of narrative
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General classifications
How-to (Utility) — explains steps or
procedures, or lists different ways or methods;
contains know-how that is useful or beneficial to
readers
Guide questions:
• Is the idea new?
• If not, how can it be written to benefit a certain
group of readers?
• Is the idea practicable, and will it yield the
expected results?
• Will it interest a sufficient number of readers?
madz quiamco
writing features may 05
General classifications
Analysis — an article that answers the question
“What’s it all about?”; interprets the news for
readers. Many columns come under this class of
writing.
Characteristics:
• derived from prosaic facts, providing
- background information imaginatively presented
- interpretation from a new or unusual perspective
• requires generous use of facts and figures
• needs firsthand reporting (e.g., of interviews)
• needs intimate knowledge of subject matter
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General classifications
Elements:
Dissection — pointing out components, value
Anticipating arguments and questions
Clear, cohesive writing
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General classifications
Review and critique — an article that analyzes
and gives an opinion about artifacts: artwork
and art exhibits, books, movies, plays, concerts,
etc.; written by someone with meticulous
knowledge and expertise on the subject
Elements:
Dissection
Anticipating arguments and questions
Clear, cohesive writing
Competent, fair, and courageous expression of
opinion or judgment
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