This document provides guidance on writing feature stories, including using effective paragraph structures and transitions. It discusses using short paragraphs with spiraling or thematic content. Transitions between paragraphs should inform readers of shifts in material and put new content in proper context. Examples of common transitions are provided. The document also outlines different types of feature stories such as personality profiles, human interest stories, trend stories, and news features. It concludes with tips for developing a feature story, such as picking a subject, spotlighting details, and rewriting.
3. 2. Block paraphrasing
material is presented in
separate, complete blocks
of material. If the
paragraph becomes too
long, break it into several
smaller paragraphs.
12. 1. They inform the
readers that the
writer is shifting to
new material.
13. 2. They put the new
material in proper
perspective.
14. Common examples are:
Later
Nearby
A few miles away
However
But
An opposition spokesman denied
the charge
In other developments
15. In hard news
stories, transitions are
easy to find. The writer
compresses facts into a
crisp, logical rendition of
facts that utilizes little
stylish writing.
16. Example of straight news where the
writer skillfully uses the transitions:
Shotgun waving suspected bandits
robbed the Land Bank of the
Philippines of P5 million yesterday
morning. The suspects burst through
the front door of the bank at 9:30
a.m., ordered the customers and
employees to lay face-down on the
floor, and then cleared out cash drawers
and safe deposit boxes.
17. During the robbery, a shot was
fired but no one was injured.
According to witnesses, the
robbers fled in a dirty white
corolla with no licensed plate
number.
Later, a pursuing police team
found the getaway car abandoned
several blocks away from the place
of robbery.
18. Near, the abandoned car, police
found the empty money bags with
the bank’s trademark imprinted on
them.
Before the robbery, the police
were alerted by the National Bureau
of Investigation (NBI) agents that
three suspicious looking young men
were sighted in busy commercial
centers of QC.
19. However, an NBI
spokesman said the three
men they sighted were in
their mid 20s and did not
match with the suspects who
struck the Land Bank branch
in Quezon City.
20. A feature story is linked to
have its lead as the
skull, its structure is its
backbone, the ending its
feet and the transitions its
ligaments that hold it all
together.
21.
22. Personality Profile.
A personality profile is written
to give the readers an insight into
a person’s character and traits.
This is usually done through the
research and actual interview with
the person. Another term for this
kind of writing is personality
sketch.
23. Human Interest
Stories.
A Human interest
story is written to show
the subject’s oddity, or its
practical, emotional or
entertainment value.
24. Trend Stories.
A trend story examines
people, things or
organizations that are having
an impact on society. Trend
stories are popular because
people are interested in
reading about the latest fads.
25. In-depth Stories.
These are the stories
written from extensive
research and interviews.
These give detailed accounts
of basic news stories or other
features.
26. Backgrounders.
A backgrounder is also called an
analysis piece since this adds
meaning to current issues in the
news by explaining hem further.
These articles bring an audience up-
to-date, explaining why the tragedy
happened, who are to be
blamed, and what are the
repercussions or the after effects.
27. News Feature.
This is usually based
on the recent event but
written in a most relaxed
style, using literary
devices.
28. Humorous Feature.
If one of the more
important functions of a
feature story is to
entertain, then nothing
entertains more than story
with wit and humor.
30. How-to-feature Article.
The purpose of his
kind of feature is to
explain a process or a
method. This is usually
accompanied with
illustrations or photos.
31. Analytical Essay.
An essay is a distinct genre
in literature.
Today, however, there are a lot
of essays written in the
journalistic style. These are
witty, sometimes funny, account
of anything, from the mundane
to the serious.
32.
33. 1. Pick your subject.
2. Limit your subject to a
specific area.
3.Spotlight the main
things you aim to do in
the feature.
34. 4.Write a tentative title.
5. Pinpoint the highlights
with specific details.
6. Use devices and
situations which will hold
the reader’s interest.