There is no such thing as a feature.
Don't pitch a 'feature' to an editor, you will be deemed an amateur - show you know what you are talking about, pitch a type of feature format.
There are several different generic types, including:
1. Profile - This is a living obituary, it is not an interview with a person, it's more like a CV. State the facts about their life.
2. Confessional Interview - This is a first person account on an experience or story that someone is sharing, they are 'confessing'.
3. Reviews - This is where the writer is commenting and reviewing something, rating it on their opinion. (Consumer reviews, Art reviews)
4. Documentary - This is a video documenting an event.
5. Investigation - This is where we initiate the story, lifting the lid on a story.
6. Observational - This is journalism. Throwing yourself into a situation where you can observe and report on what is happening.
7. Reader response - This is where you get the reader involved, setting competitions to get them involved.
8. Fashion - This is picture led, setting up photo shoots.
9. News feature - This is an extended news story, which is feature length. It does not have to have a peg*
10. Feature Interview - This is a interview with someone, where you want their opinion and views.
* A peg is a link to a real news story. From a feature length interview you can dig out a peg that is news worthy.
Features define the 'tone' for newspapers, whereas news is just news. Readers will come for the headlines and daily news but be interested by timeless features. Barkers are used at the top of newspapers and along the sides of online websites to attract traffic, they are the hooks to draw people to them. The job of features is to bulk out the site and make it 'sticky'.
The key to feature writing is to understand the various formats. In many ways subject matter is secondary to the format
1. Profile - This is a living obituary, it is not an interview with a person, it's more like a CV. State the facts about their life.
2. Confessional Interview - This is a first person account on an experience or story that someone is sharing, they are 'confessing'.
3. Reviews - This is where the writer is commenting and reviewing something, rating it on their opinion. (Consumer reviews, Art reviews)
4. Documentary - This is a video documenting an event.
5. Investigation - This is where we initiate the story, lifting the lid on a story.
6. Observational - This is journalism. Throwing yourself into a situation where you can observe and report on what is happening.
7. Reader response - This is where you get the reader involved, setting competitions to get them involved.
8. Fashion - This is picture led, setting up photo shoots.
9. News feature - This is an extended news story, which is feature length. It does not have to have a peg*
10. Feature Interview - This is a interview with someone, where you want their opinion and views.
* A peg is a link to a real news story. From a feature length interview you can dig out a peg that is news worthy.
Editorial content is split into two: News and Features.
News:
- This is about "telling" the readers, stating the facts.
- It is a brief summary, aimed at a whole audience.
- The length will vary, depending on significance.
- There is a defined style, every journalists will follow a structure.
- Pictures are useful with illustrating the reports.
- News articles are published instantly, breaking news.
- Articles are written by staff reporters.
- News is Events led, according to the "News Agenda" it is sensitive to time.
- This is about "seeing", finding ways to show the readers.
- They are detailed, and length, aimed at a niche sections of readership.
- The length will be fixed, and word counts are important due to editorial structure.
- There are many different styles and generic types of features [as discussed above]
- Pictures are essential, including graphics
- Features are published according to schedule they are pre-planned.
- They are done by production staff and freelancers.
- Features of production led, to fit the schedule and structure of the newspaper/magazine.
"People come for the news, but stay for the features"
Features define the 'tone' for newspapers, whereas news is just news. Readers will come for the headlines and daily news but be interested by timeless features. Barkers are used at the top of newspapers and along the sides of online websites to attract traffic, they are the hooks to draw people to them. The job of features is to bulk out the site and make it 'sticky'. The key to feature writing is to understand the various formats. In many ways subject matter is secondary to the format
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