Feature Writing:
The Art of Telling Stories
What is Feature Writing / Feature Article?
“A feature article is not about hard news. It has room
for more creativity, expression but should still be
anchored on solid facts or current trends. It informs on
a deeper level,” Ana P. Santos, co-founder of Writer’s
Block Philippines and the 2014 Persephone Miel Fellow
of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting in Washington,
D.C.
“From our own experience, feature articles cover
personal essays, travel logs as well as other narratives.
Whatever form it takes, the basics of good writing and
expression apply,” Nikka Sarthou-Lainez, co-founder of
Writer’s Block Philippines and a Contributing Editor in
Smile, the in-flight magazine of Cebu Pacific Air.
News VS Feature
News:
● 5Ws and 1H
● Objective, Direct, Factual
● Lead (most important facts) → Body (more
important facts) → Conclusion (least important
facts)
Feature:
● 5Ws and 1H and more (with facts but longer,
more expansive, more personal)
● Featurized and Subjective
● Lead (least important facts)→ Body (more
interesting facts) ---> Conclusion (primary/ most
interesting facts)
Key Function of Feature Articles
● To humanize
● To entertain
● To educate
● To inspire or take action
● To add color
Structure of Feature Story
LEAD / INTRODUCTION
● Set the scene. Bring it to life. You might start
with a question, a narrative or a description, but
however you do it, you need to seduce readers
into your story via the first paragraph.
BODY
● Having got your readers hooked at the start,
keep them reading. This is where your writer’s
skill in creating a logically progressed narrative
comes into play. Each paragraph will move your
story along, and add to the reader’s
information. Embed facts into scenes, so that
something new is revealed with each
paragraph.
CONCLUSION
● Create a satisfactory ending so that the reader
understands that the story has reached a
conclusion. Don’t spoil a good feature by letting
it tail off, or make it bottom-heavy by cramming
in information that should have been woven in
higher up.
How to Write a Feature Article?
1. Choose an interesting subject.
2. Narrow down your subject to just one specific
area or sub -topic. Think of a fresh angle to the
topic.
3. Know your audience.
4. Prepare your outline.
5. Highlight the important things you wish to
feature.
6. Use factual information based on interviews,
surveys, personal experiences etc.
7. Then… go write!
3 Things I Know To be True
1. Good verbal and written communication skills
are essential
2. Ignorance is never a bliss.
3. Our passions are one of our most obvious
guides