Kathryn Anderson's List: Journalism: Features and Profiles

group profile

This is more of a fact-based profile than one in which the journalist tracked the student down, but still a good example of a short profile.

the "Spelman Spotlight" is the monthly student newspaper, but they don't seem to be online other than via stories like this.

turning an interview into a feature / news story. news peg = OBGYN's speech / presentation on campus. Feature on trends.

turning an interview into a feature: news peg: Bravo's recent visit to campus.

A feature on a cultural trend. Should be interviews with more than one couple considering getting married or married and still in college.

feature / profile of a team at practice

profile of a student athlete and challenges he faces as he juggles responsibilities; possibly assimilation angle also.

profile of an AD

This is a feature about a trend. It should have interviews wtih women in (and not in) rap, as well as w/ men who are in rap and more (or less) interested in women's voices in rap

how to write a historical sports profile

feature writing - Presentation Transcript
1.Writing Features Print Journalism John Williamson 25th January 2007
2.Key discussions
What is a feature / definitions
Key characteristics of features writing
Different types of features - newspapers, magazines, online
How to structure and organise features
Examples & Initial Planning
3.What is a feature: some definitions
Similarities and differences to news reporting.
Underpinned by factual detail and news sense - but
Longer, more expansive and more personal than news reporting
More freedom to use own voice, personal experience.
More sources, background and context
4.What is a feature: some definitions
Balance of fact against (self) indulgence
Mencher identifies some of the key characteristics of feature writing:
Activity : showing people doing things
Talk : let the subjects speak at length
Underwriting : let action and dialogue drive feature
Motion : keep piece moving forward
5.What is a feature: some definitions
“ features have more comment, analysis, colour, background and a greater diversity of sources than news stories and explore a number of issues at greater depth.” (Keeble, 2001: 141)
6.Key characteristics
Features writing is often marked out by:
Colour : small details adding life to writing
Observation : description of people/ events
Opinion / slant: writer or publication’s worldview
Quotes: most features draw on original material/ sources
Narrative: story telling
Dialogue / Debate: discussion / argument
Context: scene setting
7.Other considerations
Not news story, though may be built around it.
Idea of ‘going behind / underneath the news’
“ fluff” - often dismissed as such.
Importance of knowing the style, content of the newspaper/ magazine you are aiming at/ writing for.
Visual dimension: feature writers have ‘the biggest eyes in journalism’
Time : there is usually a much longer deadline for longer features due to production schedules, etc.
8.Some types of feature writing
Issue bas

link on right to the entire guide as a pdf.

types of features (5)