DEFINITION
A feature is a long, in-depth, and creative news story that goes beyond basic facts to explore background, emotions, human interest, and context. Unlike hard news, features are timeless (can be published days later), focus on ‘why’ and ‘how’, not just ‘what’ and use descriptive and narrative writing.
A feature story aims to educate and entertain the readers. It reflects the best in a writer. It can be personal, colorful, and opinionated, but without deviating from the facts. It may be longer and in-depth compared to a straightforward news story. It carries feelings and impressions. It should be able to grab the reader’s attention instantly and hold that attention.
Feature stories are created to inform, entertain, persuade, or simply satisfy the audience’s curiosity about a certain topic. It may provide additional information that may not be found on the news story, give an opinion about a trending topic, or offer an entertaining personal perspective on a certain topic.
TYPES OF FEATURES
1. Human-Interest Feature
Focuses on the emotions, experiences, and struggles of ordinary people to create empathy and reader connection.
2. Profile Feature
An in-depth portrayal of a person’s life, achievements, personality, and impact. It may be on public figures or ordinary individuals.
3. Backgrounder / Explanatory Feature
Provides historical background and context to help readers understand a current issue or event.
4. News Feature
Develops a hard news story in greater detail by adding analysis, reactions, and background information.
5. Investigative Feature
Based on extensive research and fact-finding, it exposes corruption, injustice, or hidden issues of public interest.
6. Interpretative Feature
Explains the meaning and implications of events rather than merely describing them.
7. Trend Feature
Highlights emerging social, cultural, economic, or technological trends and their impact on society.
8. Lifestyle Feature
Covers topics related to health, fashion, food, relationships, fitness, and daily living.
9. Travel Feature
Describes destinations, culture, people, history, and personal experiences associated with travel.
10. Cultural Feature
Focuses on art, literature, cinema, music, theatre, traditions, and cultural practices.
11. Sports Feature
Goes beyond match reports to focus on athletes’ lives, struggles, preparation, and the social impact of sports.
12. Business and Economic Feature
Analyses business trends, economic issues, markets, industries, and their effects on people’s lives.
13. Political Feature
Provides in-depth coverage of political developments, leaders, policies, and their social implications.
14. Science and Technology Feature
Explains scientific discoveries, technological innovations, and their impact in a simple and engaging manner.
15. Environmental Feature
Focuses on environmental issues such as climate change, conservation, wildlife, and sustainability.
16. Social Issue Feature
Covers problems like poverty, gender inequality, caste discrimination, education, and health care.
17. Historical Feature
Revisits past events or personalities to explain their relevance in the present context.
18. Seasonal Feature
Written around festivals, weather changes, holidays, or seasonal trends.
19. Personality Feature
Focuses on the character traits, habits, beliefs, and lesser-known aspects of a person.
20. Descriptive Feature
Uses vivid language to describe a place, event, or experience, focusing on sensory details.
21. Narrative Feature
Written in a storytelling format with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
22. Experience-Based / First-Person Feature
Based on the writer’s own personal experience or participation in an event.
23. Service Feature
Provides useful information, tips, advice, or guidance to readers on practical issues.
24. Review Feature
Evaluates books, films, plays, exhibitions, restaurants, or events.
25. Commemorative / Anniversary Feature
Written to mark anniversaries of significant events or personalities.
26. Conflict Feature
Focuses on disputes, struggles, or tensions affecting individuals or communities.
27. Development Feature
Covers development-related issues such as rural development, education, health, and infrastructure.
28. Gender Feature
Highlights gender-related issues, identities, inequalities, and empowerment.
29. Youth Feature
Focuses on issues, aspirations, culture, and challenges faced by young people.
30. Urban / Rural Feature
Deals specifically with urban or rural life, issues, and transformations.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARTICLE AND FEATURE
Article
An article is a general piece of writing that presents information, ideas, or opinions on a particular subject.
Its main purpose is to inform, explain, or argue in a clear and straightforward manner using the inverted pyramid structure of 5W and 1H.
The writing style is usually formal, factual, and direct, with little or no emotional appeal.
Articles follow a simple structure of introduction, body, and conclusion.
They rely on limited sources, such as general references, facts, or the writer’s viewpoint.
An article may be timely or timeless depending on the topic.
Articles are usually shorter in length and focus more on clarity than creativity
Feature
A feature is a journalistic form of writing that provides in-depth and detailed coverage of an issue, event, or individual.
Its purpose is not only to inform but also to engage, interpret, and humanise the subject.
Feature writing is descriptive, narrative, and creative, often using imagery and anecdotes.
It follows a flexible structure consisting of a headline, engaging lead, detailed body, and a strong conclusion.
Features make extensive use of interviews, statistics, observations, and background research.
They usually have a human-interest angle and emotional depth.
Features are generally longer than articles and are mostly timeless in nature, focusing on context and impact rather than immediacy.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A FEATURE
Imperishable
This is a very important feature of feature articles. This simply means that a feature article does not perish, unlike the story which becomes stale the next day. This is because there is usually a time-frame on the news story which makes the story lose value if not published within the time-frame. The feature story is not attached to such time-frames since it is usually carefully selected and created at the feature writer’s convenience.
Cannot be scooped
This means that someone’s particular feature article cannot be published in its originality before hand, by another writer. This is simply because the choice of topics for future stories is simply is the prerogative of the feature writer.
Can be created from mundane ideas or issues
There is actually no rigidity in the selection of a feature topic. Hence, any topic or issue can be featured. In the past, certain topics or issues were considered too trivial to be published. However, with the development of the press, ideas and topics which previously would have been considered inconsequential became the toast of feature writer. In other words, the choice of topics for features includes both the serious and trivial.
Give in-depth information on topical issues
Feature articles give in depth information to the audience about a particular topic. This is because the writer must have investigated the topic before presenting the different angles to the audience. Hence, features are written under very relaxed atmosphere. This gives room for adequate survey of facts and information on the topic to be “featurised”.
Selection of topic is rigorous
Feature articles are rigorously selected because the feature writer has to present something (topic) that is usually captivating; colourfully and stylishly presented in a unique manner.
Delayed and more complete
Feature stories are not as timely as straight news because time is required for the indepth investigation of the topic. Hence, delay in feature is pardonable, moreso, when it is justified with a balanced report. Features are complete because they give all the sides to the story and present a rounded perspective of it, thereby satisfying the curiosity built up by the skeletal nature of straight news.
Fleshy and Colourful
The feature writer adds more flesh to the straight news to make it a feature story. However, “fleshiness” does not mean undue padding and stuffing of the material. The language of the feature is supposed to be colourful, having been written in figurative and in flowery constructions. This colourful language appeals to the sensory aspects of readers. This kind of language is quite different from the formal language of straight news. It is really more picturesque, informal and humorous. Hence, it is more attractive to read. Suggestively, good feature articles are read for pleasure. So it is a major challenge of feature writers to make their stories pleasurable to the reader.
Stylish
This means a unique or peculiar way of doing something which is equally attractive in nature. Stylistic therefore, permits the feature writer to use his own peculiar approach to writing which could be in form of his own word-coinages, romantic expressions, captivating images or use of language. Style differentiates one writer from another and it professionally allows the writer to shift his mode of writing. The stylistic language of feature entrenches the readers and thus distracts the attention of the readers from the bulkiness of the piece which naturally, would have made the story boring.
STEPS TO WRITE A FEATURE
Selection of Topic
Choose a topic that is relevant, interesting, and has depth. A good feature topic should allow scope for background, analysis, and human interest.
Research and Background Study
Collect detailed information from various sources such as books, reports, previous news stories, surveys, and online resources to understand the subject thoroughly.
Fieldwork and Observation
Visit the location if possible and observe people, situations, and surroundings carefully. First-hand observation adds authenticity to the feature.
Conducting Interviews
Interview people directly involved, experts, or affected individuals. Their experiences and opinions help humanise the story and add credibility.
Planning and Organising Material
Arrange the collected information logically. Decide the angle of the feature and plan the structure before writing.
Writing the Headline
Create an attractive and engaging headline that reflects the theme of the feature and catches the reader’s attention.
Writing the Lead
Begin with a strong and interesting introduction, such as an anecdote, description, quote, or striking fact, to hook the reader.
Developing the Body
Expand the story by presenting background information, facts, statistics, interviews, and descriptions in a coherent and flowing manner.
Writing the Conclusion
End the feature with a meaningful conclusion that may be reflective, emotional, or forward-looking, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Editing and Revision
Review the feature for clarity, accuracy, language, grammar, and overall flow. Remove unnecessary details and ensure the story is balanced and engaging.
HOW TO WRITE A GOOD FEATURE
Choose a strong, relevant topic
Pick a subject that has depth, human interest, and social relevance. A good feature explores why the issue matters.
Start with an engaging lead
Avoid the inverted pyramid. Begin with an anecdote, description, striking fact, or quote that immediately draws the reader in.
Focus on people, not just facts
Humanise the story by showing how an issue affects real people. Personal stories make features impactful.
Do thorough background research
Collect information from multiple sources such as reports, past news, studies, and expert opinions to add depth and credibility.
Use interviews and quotes effectively
Include relevant quotes from people involved or experts to support your narrative and make the story authentic.
Maintain a clear structure
Even though features are flexible, ensure a logical flow: engaging introduction, detailed body, and a strong conclusion.
Write in a descriptive yet simple style
Use vivid language and imagery, but keep sentences clear and readable. Avoid unnecessary jargon.
Balance facts with storytelling
Combine statistics and data with anecdotes and observations so the piece is informative as well as engaging.
Use smooth transitions
Link paragraphs naturally so the story flows without abrupt jumps.
End with a strong conclusion
Conclude with a reflection, a forward-looking statement, or a powerful quote that leaves a lasting impression.
Revise and edit carefully
Check for clarity, coherence, factual accuracy, grammar, and spelling before finalising the feature.
FUNCTIONS OF FEATURES
They summarize the important news of the week. For instance, on Sunday, 22nd October 2005, Channels TV broke the sad news of the death of the first lady- Mrs. Stella Obasanjo. Later in the week up to 2 months afterwards, features were written on her tragic death giving further information on the cause, date and circumstances surrounding her death, as well as the glamorous life she lived.
They break the boredom of the formal and rigid nature of straight news. Because features are written in a more relaxed atmosphere, they are more detailed and so provide enough information for those who read for pleasure. So, features can be substituted for novels. After all, the only difference between novels and features is that while novels are fiction, features are factual.
They educate, inform and entertain. In this way, they perform the basic functions of communication to mankind.
Features enrich the hard (straight) news and they beautify the newspaper or magazines that use them. The pictures, illustrate, charts, diagrams etc. used to embellish the features stories enhance the entire make up of the newspaper and magazines. When a hard news story breaks–for example, the sinking of a ferry in the Greek islands–it should be reported with a hard news lead. Soft leads and stories are more appropriate when a major news event is not being reported for the first time.
Feature writing is a crucial part of the news papering business especially in this age when cable transmissions are discouraging a lot of people from reading newspapers. The broadcast media, especially the television, is capitalizing on its strength of immediacy, impact, price and credibility. This means that you can get the information live, immediately it happens and this makes an impact on you especially if it comes with vivid and colorful pictures. The credibility is also not in doubt because it becomes a matter of “what you see is what it is”.
Features are not meant to deliver the news firsthand. They do contain elements of news, but their main function is to humanize, to add colour, to educate, to entertain, to illuminate. They often recap major news that was reported in a previous news cycle.
SOURCES OF FEATURES
Through your editor
From writing off the news/spin offs/follow ups.
Odd occupations angle
Good listener and avid reader
Sociological approach
Topical or controversial issues
Diaries and calendars
Cable satellite stations
Internet
Inspiration
Interviews
CONCLUSION
The conclusion of a feature should provide a satisfactory ending, making the reader feel that the story has reached its natural close. A good feature should not simply trail off, nor should it become bottom-heavy by adding new information that should have been introduced earlier. The writer must also avoid sounding artificial, moralistic, or press-release-like, as feature writing deals with real-life stories that are often complex and do not always end neatly. An effective conclusion may use a powerful one-liner or a relevant quote that reinforces the central theme of the feature and ties together the ideas discussed throughout the piece.
The conclusion should leave a lasting impression on the reader.
It should remind the reader of the main theme or purpose of the story.
It may suggest a course of action or encourage a change in attitude or perspective, without sounding preachy.
BLOG LINKS
https://vartikananda.blogspot.com/search?q=feature
https://vartikananda.blogspot.com/search?q=articles
Example of an article - https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/6106111973053802651/2477161178653378859
Example of a feature https://scroll.in/article/815140/why-sand-mining-in-tamil-nadu-is-unstoppable-even-though-its-destructive
Compilation: Rhea Sara Vinu, DOJ SEM 2, 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment