Tips For Writing Your Feature Articles

Today we looked at how to write a successful article for your double-page spread. Remember, your story should be different from a news article. It should do more than just report a news story; it should give detail, colour and backstory. It can still be informative, but it can also entertain, persuade or evoke emotion. Make sure you know why you are writing the article before you begin drafting, and always keep your target audience in mind.

Headlines should be punchy and attention-grabbing. Consider using puns/plays on words, alliteration, exclamations or quotes from your interview.

Your lead paragraph is the most important. It should reel your reader in and get them interested. You can use vivid description, rhetorical questions, bold statements and quotations. Make it interesting.

The body of the article needs to continue in the same vein and keep with the tone you set up in your lead. Keep any promises you made and answer any questions you posed in the beginning of your article.

Your conclusion should be the kicker at the end. You should not only tie up the article, but drive home your point so your readers walk away remembering the article. Use a punch line or a circular device to round it off.

Other points to remember:

• Focus on human interest.
• Write in active voice.
• Interview your subject and integrate quotes into your article.
• Complete wider research so that you can confidently write about your subject.
• Don't rely on the spell-checker and make sure it is set to UK English.
• Leave it a few days after writing to go back and check your work. That way you will have fresh eyes and you can spot your own mistakes.
• Keep your paragraphs short and sweet. Remember features are in columns and paragraphs are often only 2 or 3 sentences long.
• Maintain tense. If you start writing in past tense, keep doing it for the whole article.

Have a look at the following examples of features to help get you going:

http://www.marieclaire.com/world-reports/news/surrogate-mothers-india

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30616713@N02/3062675063/

http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/media/articles/q0.php

Have fun. Be creative.