8/20/19

Lathalain
out Feature Writing
| THE ART OF STORY TELLING ||

A feature is grounded on reality!

So, what is
Feature Wr ting? real people, real events,
real things, real experiences

Features Features
— human interest stories that speak of people, — told in a less hurried and generally more
places and situations. creative way.
— tend to be original and descriptive; original in — almost never begin with the most important
ideas and writing skills. information like inverted pyramid stories.
— should be more informative and entertaining — creative non-fiction.
than a news story.

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A form of • Stresses accuracy and truth

• Never sacrifices accuracy for
reporting creativity

• News provides information

Differs from news • Features interpret, add

News behind the News in its intent depth and color, instruct or
entertain

• Provides story and

information from a unique
Not just dry facts angle

Compared to other fields of Campus

Journalism, Features can be considered as
the freeman’s form of writing because it
But they are all
follows the least rules. grounded on one thing:
§
§

§
.
Unlike news, features can be conversational.
Like editorials, features can also express opinion,
but indirectly.
Like sports, features can use as much adjectives.
FACTS

NEVER EVER WRITE Scenario:

FICTIONAL STORIES During NSPC Competition, you were asked to
write a feature story on abortion.

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Come to me, Mama. Come, touch me and feel my pain.
Don’t be afraid now,Mama. You weren’t 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?
A LIFE THAT NEVER WAS
Halika Mama, lapitan mo ako. Hipuin mo at damhin mo
ang mga sakit ko. Huwag kang matakot Mama, hindi ka
naman natakot nung patayin mo ko.
Heto, hipuin mo ito .. nararamdaman mo ba ito ngayon,
Mama? Ang di matingkalang sakit na nanunuot sa mura
kong katawan? Ikaw ang may kagagawan nito , hindi ba?
BUHAY NA DI NABIGYAN NG PAGKAKATAON

FEATURE IS NEVER A Qualities of a good

LITERARY PIECE!
Feature

Qualities of a good Topics of

Feature Feature
Deals with any topic.
It usually entertains more than it informs, instructs or advises. People
It may be long or short. Places
It may be light or serious depending on its purpose. Things
It could be formal or informal.
It may or may not be timely. Events
It begins with a novelty lead.
Based on facts.

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Qualities of a good

Features FICTION
Facts

RE
Entertaining topic

U
Artistic / Appealing to the emotion

AT
Timeless

FE
Unique/unusual/Universal Appeal
Relevant details
Engaging Development NON
Socially-relevant and in-depth FICTION

Elements of

Feature

Elements of
FACTUALITY

Feature
Features are essays based on facts.
Things that really happened.
Not how you imagine things to be.
Not how you want things to turn out.

Elements of Elements of

Feature Feature
HUMAN INTEREST
This is not a type of Feature.
TIME
This should be a component Features can be timely or timeless.
of every feature.
You should never write about a subject
that nobody is interested about.

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Elements of Elements of

Feature Feature
ENTERTAINMENT ETHICAL VALUE
Features should amuse readers. Features should leave readers with a moral.
Make them laugh, or put them to tears. Thoughts that they will ponder on long after
Non-reaction from readers is capital punishment. they have read your essay.
Nothing corny. Thoughts that will give them a new lease on life.
Humorous but NOT SENSELESS.
Nothing too heavy.
Dramatic and COMPELLING.
Simple BUT MOTIVATING.

Sa Lathalain laging may

pagtatampok=

Feature ITINATAMPOK

TO FEATURE IS TO PRESENT AND HIGHLIGHT A CHOOSING A SUBJECT

SUBJECT WHO?
PUTTING THE IN THE SPOTLIGHT PROFILES ARE FEATURES ABOUT PEOPLE

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CHOOSING A SUBJECT CHOOSING A SUBJECT

WHAT? WHERE?
CULTURE FEATURES CAN BE ABOUT THINGS, TRAVELOGUES ARE EXPLORATORY AND
FOOD, ANIMALS, CURRENT TRENDS AND EVENTS. EXPOSITORY FEATURES ABOUT PLACES

CHOOSING A SUBJECT CHOOSING A SUBJECT

WHEN? WHEN?
HISTORICAL FEATURES ARE WRITTEN TO ACCOUNT SEASONAL FEATURES ARE WRITTEN IN TIME FOR
HISTORY-RELATED SUBJECTS SEASONAL EVENTS

CHOOSING A SUBJECT CHOOSING A SUBJECT

WHY? WHY?
ISSUE-BASED FEATURES ARE INVESTIGATIVE ACCOUNTS THAT
BEHIND-THE-SCENES FEATURES EXPLAIN WHY PROVIDE INSIDE VIEWS OF UNUSUAL OCCUPATIONS, ISSUES, AND
EVENTS GIVE READERS A FEELING OF PENETRATING THE INNER
THINGS HAPPEN. CIRCLE OR BEING A MOUSE IN A CORNER.

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CHOOSING A SUBJECT

HOW? Feature
vs
HOW TO FEATURES EXPLAIN HOW THINGS HAPPEN. News

n characteristic

Features
f n focus

Features
f
News News
• based on facts • How
• based on facts • Who
• subjective • Why
• objective • What
• Pro-active: the writer finds • Offer fresh, unusual
• Reactive: an event • When
the stories and sets his own perspectives on events
happens and it is agenda • Where
reported • Analyze past
• generally longer than news • Report only the • Glimpse into the future
• brief facts
(the writer has more
• the structure is in material)
the lead • must have beginning, middle
and end

n quotations

Features
f n techniques

Features
f
News News
• reveal character • have more open view
• clarify info • go direct to the • use a variety of approaches
• suggest impact • add color point of the (narrative, case studies,
of news event story quotes, anecdotes, creative
writing techniques)

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n structure
f n language
f
Short, concise, Has greater
straightforward leeway for
(less description description and
and adjectives) rhetorical
techniques

Who are the

Feature Writers
But like news, the lead must be a
grabber. It needs punch to create
impact and demand attention.

According to some experts, they are:

The most intelligent member of the editorial staff
How to write a

Feature
The most well-experienced
The most well-travelled
The most well-versed in languages
The most creative and fastest thinker

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Love
• School in Cagayan de Oro that prohibits
its students from having a relationship

SUBJECTS VS. TOPICS • Yayang OFW na nag-aruga sa isang

atletang ngayon ay Olympic champion na

• Magkasintahangnagkahiwalaynoong
Most of the time students write about topics and not subjects. World War 2, nag-asawa ng iba, namatay
ang mga asawa, nagtagpong muli at
nagpakasal kahit 80 years old na sila

• Asong pilay na iniligtas ang taong nag-

aalaga sa kaniya

KEEP IN M IND:
WAL ANG FEATURE kung WAL ANG SUBJECT.

Choose
theTheme
The theme provides unity and coherence to the piece. The theme
answers the question, "So what?“
Feature VS Generic Essay
Factors to consider when choosing a theme:
i. Has the story been done before?
ii. Is the story of interest to the audience? generic essays talk about topics. feature
iii. Does the story have holding power (emotional appeal)? articles talk about subjects.
iv. What makes the story worthy of being reported?

Connect your topic

to a past experience
Work with Stock Knowledge or personal perspective.

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Write in a
Conversational Manner
Do Not Think of a Title First

GENERAL STRUCTURE

Introduction/Lead Analysis/Body Conclusion the lead

Use the first two or three paragraphs to set a
mood, to arouse readers, to invite them inside.

nut graph body

The significance of the story is provided in the third or fourth Provide vital background information.
paragraph, the nut graph. Because it explains the reason the story If appropriate, a paragraph or two of background should be
is being written, the nut graph--also called the "so what" graph--is a placed high in the story to bring the audience up to date.
vital paragraph in every feature.

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Trans tions
body
Easy transitions (usually words, big conjunctions, or phrases)

To Prove:
To Add: because, for, since, for the same
and, again, and then, besides, equally reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore,
important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in
too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, in any case, that is
addition, first (second, etc.)
facts story
To Show Exception:
message transition To Compare: yet, still, however, nevertheless, in
quotes
whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, spite of, despite, of course, once in a while,
however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by sometimes
comparison, where, compared to, up To Show Time:
Transitory connection It depicts against, balanced against, vis a vis, but, immediately, thereafter, soon, after a
It adds weight theme
paragraphs beauty and although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in few hours, finally, then, later, previously,
to the article
that answer elegance contrast, although this may be true formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then
unity

Trans tions
To Repeat:
Easy transitions (usually words, big conjunctions, or phrases)
Conclusion
Must accomplish the following tasks:
To Show Sequence:
in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has -Stress the thesis statement
first, second, third, and so forth. A, B, -Answer the “so what?” question (illustrate the importance of the discussion)
been noted C, and so forth. next, then, following this,
To Emphasize: at this time, now, at this point, after,
definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, Clinch or climax that sums up the persons, situation, or event by giving background
afterward, subsequently, finally,
indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, through.
consequently, previously, before this,
naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, simultaneously, concurrently, thus,
perennially, eternally, never, emphatically, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon
unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, To Give an Example:
undeniably, without reservation for example, for instance, in this case,
To Summarize or Conclude: in another case, on this occasion, in this
in brief, on the whole, summing up, to situation, the case of, to demonstrate,
conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I to illustrate, as an illustration, to illustrate
have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus,
as a result, consequently

Return to the theme/themes of the introduction. If you start with a specific scenario, then
try ending on the same scenario to make the article come at full circle.

The summary ending –ties up the loose end of the story and Introduction
points back to the lead From the parking lot, I could see the towers of the castle of the Magic Kingdom standing stately against the
blue sky. To the right, the tall peak of The Matterhorn rose even higher. From the left, I could hear the jungle
The stinger –a startling, surprising ending that jolts the reader. sounds of Adventureland. As I entered the gate, Main Street stretched before me with its quaint shops
evoking an old-fashioned small town so charming it could never have existed. I was entranced. Disneyland
may have been built for children, but it brings out the child in adults.
The Climax –Popular in stories written in chronological order Conclusion
I thought I would spend a few hours at Disneyland, but here I was at 1:00 A.M., closing time, leaving the front
gates with the now dark towers of the Magic Kingdom behind me. I could see tired children, toddling along
and struggling to keep their eyes open as best they could. Others slept in their parents' arms as we waited for
the parking lot tram that would take us to our cars. My forty-year-old feet ached, and I felt a bit sad to think
that in a couple of days I would be leaving California, my vacation over, to go back to my desk. But then I
smiled to think that for at least a day I felt ten years old again.

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Recommendations/course of action Suggested results

Mang Jaime is just one of the many Filipinos who suffer under a vicious cycle of So take a hearty bite for a healthier you.
poverty. Without the much needed reform in the government’s anti-poverty
policies, history is bound to repeat itself with another Mang Jaime.

Mungkahing bunga o kahalagahan Implications (or what may happen in the future)

Kaya, kung nais nating mabuhay nang maginhawa at matagal, ingatan natin ang
ating kalusugan.
Without well-qualified teachers, schools are just a little more than buildings
and equipment. If higher-paying careers continue to attract the best and the
brightest students, there will not only be a shortage of teachers, but the
teachers available may not have the best qualifications. Our youth will suffer.
And when youth suffers, the future suffers.

Hula
feature
BASIC OUTLINE
Balang araw, kung ipagpapatuloy natin ang makasariling pagwasak sa
mga nakakalbong kagubatan ng Inang Kalikasan, maglulunoy tayo sa gitna TITLE
ng katubigan, dahil lahat ng mga kontinente sa mundo ay lalamunin ng
mga karagatan dala ng matinding init-global. LEAD
NUT GRAF
BODY
CONCLUSION
CALL TO ACTION (OPTIONAL)

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Paragraphs that are wordy

i things to avoid but not worthy of reading

Blue waters were rolling at the seashore. Trees

are swaying while the wind was blowing my hair
gently. Tourists were passing by. Ah! Boracay in all
its glory!

When the clock strikes 9, I should have already

been tucked in bed. But during my time in
Using too many flowery
Boracay, 9 PM is just the beginning of my day.
Whether sunrise or sunset, there’s only one
time in Boracay- high noon.
words

Ms. Tara Anne Ruiz, the statuesque adviser of

the iconic The Republic, made everyone’s eyes
grow bigger and mouths wider with her
astonishing gray warrior princess outfit which
dazzled and amazed the curious cheering .
Do not use the
It takes her a book to dazzle the minds of students, but it
took her a sword to sweep the crowd of their feet. For a theme / topic as
title for your
fine lady like Ms. Tara Anne Ruiz, dressing up as warrior
princess took guts to charm her way. She did not

article
disappoint.

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Theme: Write a FEATURE about your teacher

DO NOT USE: My teacher

My beautiful teacher
My best teacher

Avoid cliché
and corny titles

Theme: Benefits of Eating Healthy Foods

CLICHÉ TITLES: Health is wealth
Eat Right

CLICHÉ TITLES: Kahalagahan ng Malusog na Pangangatawan

Do not overload
IKAW LANG BA NAKAISIP NIYAN? one paragraph
with multiple ideas

She is beautiful. She is kind. She is intelligent. She

graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass
Communication from UPLB.

She is admired not only for her beauty but for her
brains as well. She graduated with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Mass Communication from UPLB.

Combine This beautiful lady is also a stunner in her studies,

graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass
information and Communication from UPLB.

adjectives together

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Alliterations
With the gentle wind, I let go of the cremains of my
father in the tough tides.
Debbie did not do her homework which made my
teacher trot in anger.

Rhyme
Only time can find answers to my questions.
Make your Forgiveness can heal the wounds of the heart.

sentences sound
My parents knew it would be better if they were no
longer together.

poetic

Techniques
Lead Nut Graph Body Conclusion
Title
(Intro) (Angle) (Blocks ) (Ending)
History
The entire article in a nutshell
Best leads anecdotal in nature, 3
Grabs the reader's attention paragraphs long, Sense of Closure
Scope

, illustrates how that individual

case is actually representative of
a bigger trend or how it fits into Cause
a bigger overall picture

Highlights main idea A microcosm of the bigger story Ends the story with a punch

a well-worn formula that’s still Impact

used by the Wall Street Journal
and countless other publications
today.
Action of contrary force

A good lead beckons, invites, The best kind either sums up

informs, attracts and entices. and/or reinforces the central
Includes keywords “a paragraph that says what this
whole story is about and why message of the story
you should read it. Future

O A feature article
is a special kind of
essay. It
O A feature article is
always based on
facts. it must be

1 2
must neither be too written objectively.
soft nor too hard.

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O
General versus specific topics
A feature article GENERAL SPECIFIC
must always have a Love Two different faiths, one real love
Best study practices of honor students
specific angle, and Education

3
disaster No-cook meals during natural calamities
avoids general
topics.

O A feature article
narrates facts in a
TITLES SHOULD
ALREADY

4
creative manner.
SPEAK!

MAY SINASABI! PAMAGAT NA WALANG SINASABI

– Sa pagbasa pa lang ng pamagat, may ideya
na ang magbabasa kung tungkol saan ito.
DAPAT CATCHY!
– Sa pagbasa pa lang, nararamdaman ng
mambabasa, “GUSTO KONG BASAHIN ITO!”
• The Nervous System
• Luhang nakadungaw sa likod ng ngiting mapanlinlang
• Ugat ng kasalanan
• Karangalang panlahat
• Hinahanap-hanap na Pokemon
• Ang pagkamit ng una at huling hininga
• Knowing the roots of all

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O A feature article
has a title with a
complete and
How I Overcame Anxiety &
Panic Attacks
by Quentin Vennie

5
specific thought.

The women who sold their

daughters into sex slavery When the King Is a Queen
by Tim Hume, Lisa Cohen, Mira Sorvino

No Resume, No Cover Letter — Fallen ‘Heroes’: OFWs Turned

Instagram Scored the Job Hungry and Homeless
by Eric Larson by David Lozada

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Kabuhayang Pinulot sa
Kangkungan Disposal Dilemma

When I Say “Pak”, You Say “Ganern”:

Ang Ekspresyong Bumago sa Mukha ‘True Love Waits’: School Bans
ng Pinoy Pop Culture Romance between Students

WRITING A GOOD TITLE

TITLES SHOULD

ALREADY SPEAK
Correct: MAY SINASABI
Laguna lake: how a national treasure became a septic tank Sa pagbasa pa lang ng pamagat, may ideya na
Evolution: the story of the first Filipino astronaut ang magbabasa kung tungkol saan ito.

Incorrect: DAPAT PALABAN

Laguna lake now Sa pagbasa pa lang, nararamdaman ng
Filipino astronaut: amazing mambabasa na, “GUSTO KONG BASAHIN ITO!”

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TITLES SHOULD BE TITLES SHOULD BE

CATCHY AND POWERFUL CATCHY AND POWERFUL

WHICH TITLE IS BETTER? WHICH TITLE IS BETTER?

A: ANG SAN JUAN, BATANGAS A: WHAT TO DO IN SAN JUAN

B: SAN JUAN: BEAUTY AND THE BEACH B: SAN JUAN AND ONLY PLACE

TITLES SHOULD APPLY THE

1-3-5 RULE
4-5 words = Good Title
2-3 words = Better Title
1 word = Best Title
Palabra de Leonor
Secretary Briones steers DepEd to a new school year full of
challenges

Trending now is, Title has sub-title / subhead

Kingly Boots
A pair of shoes brings a simple sapatero close to the President
DIVI-STORYA
Iba’t ibang mukha at kuwentong Divisoria

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TITLES MAY ALSO USE TITLES MAY ALSO APPLY

ALLITERATION WORD
PLAY
•SHINING SHIMMERING SAN JUAN •DENGUE-ROUS
•BLOWING BUBBLES IN BOHOL •DIVI-STORYA
• LAGUNA’S LOCAL LEGENDS •DEATH-VAXIA
•COME AGAIN IN CAMIGUIN •BUKIDKNOWN
•REALIZING RIZAL
•ANTING-ANTING NG ANTIPOLO
•BONGGANG BATANG BEKI

TITLES MAY ALSO USE TITLES MAY ALSO USE

PUNS RHYMES
•BETTER LEYTE THAN NEVER •GUNAW SA MINDANAO
•COAST AND EFFECTS
•SAN JUAN AND ONLY PLACE •A MILLION CAUSE IN ILOCOS
•SAMAR TIME •GET LOST IN MALOLOS
•MISAMIS ACCIDENTAL •UTAS SA BATANGAS
•LAND OF OZAMIZ
•‘LIBING’ THINGS
•HIYAS NG VISAYAS
•CDOs and DON’Ts •ANAK NG TIYANAK

O
Enticing Lead
Avoid:
A feature article has
an enticing lead. Do you know that sugar came from sugar cane?
==================

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“The youth is the hope of our motherland.”

This was said by Dr. Jose Rizal in his book…..

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Enticing Lead Enticing Lead

Iwasan: All it took was a pair of hand-crafted shoes
to win a president’s admiration.
Isa sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng bansa sa
kasalukuyan ay ang kahirapan.
KINGLY BOOTS
One of the problems the country faces nowadays is MANILA BULETTIN
poverty.

Enticing Lead
Sabi ng iba, ang mga hindi nagtitiyaga ay maaring pulutin sa kangkungan.
Pero ibahin mo ang pamilyang sa kangkungan mismo kumukuha ng
kabuhayan.
O A feature article has
a concise but

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KABUHAYANG PINULOT SA KANGKUNGAN
RURALYANS
interesting body

FEATURES
O
SECTION

A feature article has

a compelling

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ending.

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Features:
The feature is not about you.
2018 NSPC CHAMPION
It is about the story and the other people in it. FEATURE PAGE
You are the storyteller.

Cavite Province, CALABARZON

Binan City, CALABARZON

Binan City, CALABARZON

Quezon Province, CALABARZON Quezon Province, CALABARZON

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FEATURE SECTION
1 The Features Section should have at least three (3) pages.
2 The feature articles should display unique and creative presentation of
topics, logical organization and progression of ideas, writers' facility of
the language and proper citations/attributions of sources.

Calamba CIty, CALABARZON

Profile
Book, Film, Music Album, TV and Radio Program
Reviews Interview with Questions
Personality Sketch and Answers
Travelogue and Historical Sites
How-To
Entertainment VARIETY
POSSIBLE Trends OF Trend
TOPICS Comics, Manga, Cartoons and Anime Round-up (Listahan)
Social Networking Trends
STYLES
Culture and Traditions
Travelogues
Reviews
Personal Essays
Documentary Feature

Thematic REFERENCES
Socially-relevant Jose Paolo C. Calcetas, Union College of Laguna
Variety (School, Community) Raymund Garlitos, Crusing Manila –Manila Bulletin
Prof. Pauline Gidget Estella, University of the Philippines Los Banos
TIPS Prof. Ceciliano Jose Cruz, Philippine Normal University
Rupert Roniel T. Laxamana, University of Santo Tomas
Erick F. Habijan, Ateneo De Manila university

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END OF LECTURE

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