Name :__________________________Class : ___________

Date : ___________

Individual Writing Practice I Feature Article

Objectives of the Writing Practice
Be familiar with the structure and language of a feature article
Understand the approach to writing a feature article
Create a feature article on a chosen topic, in softcopy, using tools in Microsoft
Word
Writing Task Requirements

Create a feature article of any type, on a topic of your choice.

You are to write between 250 to 350 words.

Article must be typed out in Microsoft Word, font size 12 Arial or Times New
Roman.

You should provide an appropriate title for your article.

Any information used to support your article should be referenced.

Accompanying images to support the article should be referenced.

Before you write

Find a compelling idea, topic, subject, person or story.
Read the news and talk to people to find interesting stories. Think about what
phenomenon might be occurring and how you can talk about them in a new and
innovative way.
Do research on your topic.
Finding out background information can help you figure out an angle and work out
your perspective.
Consider the audience you are writing for.
As you brainstorm story ideas, think about who will read these stories. Ask yourself
questions such as who will be my readers and what kinds of angles appeal to these
readers? For example, you might write a profile about a pastry chef, but youll write
differently depending on if your readers are aspiring chefs or if they are wedding
planners looking to buy a wedding cake.
Consider the type of publication youre writing for.
Are you writing for your schools magazine, a personal blog or a newspaper? This
will affect the choice of words you might use and your overall tone.
CGSS English Language Department 2017

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Name :__________________________Class : ___________

Date : ___________

Preparing to Write
Step 1 - Choose a format for your article.
Feature articles do not have a particular formula the way hard news articles do. You
dont need to follow the inverted pyramid style of writing that conveys the who,
what, where, when and why of a news story.
Instead, choose a more inventive way to write a story.
Step 2 - Write a hook/engaging lead to open your story.
Your first paragraph is your chance to hook your reader and draw them into your
story. If the opening paragraph is dry or difficult to follow, you will lose your reader
and they wont continue on to the rest of your story.
Start with an interesting fact, a quote, or an anecdote for a good hook. Refer to Four
Ways to Write an Engaging Feature Lead.
Your opening paragraph should only be about 2-3 sentences.
Step 3 - Expand on your lead in your next paragraph
While your lead might draw people in, your second paragraph (and subsequent
paragraphs) need to start explaining the reason for the story. Why are we reading
this story? What is important about it?
As you write, follow the outline you have drafted. You can draft this outline on the
structure of the text type you have chosen for your feature article.
Type
How To
Profile
Informative
Alarmer-Expos
Human Interest
Essay, Narrative, or Opinion
Humor or Satire

Suggested Text Type (for language as well)

procedural recount, procedures, explanations
literary description
factual description, information report
persuasive exposition, persuasive discussion
literary description
narrative/story, personal recount/response, review
literary recount/personal recount

If there are bullet points provided for you, you should follow the requirements of the
bullet points (for examination questions)
Step 4 Write a satisfactory conclusion
Refer to the notes on Concluding your Essay.

CGSS English Language Department 2017

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