How to Write a Feature Story Lead to Attract Readers

You have your interview notes. Now what?

The lead of any story lures the reader and establishes interest. That is particularly true with features. But writing an alluring lead requires a deep understanding of what motivates your feature subject.

Things You'll Need

• Interview notes

Instructions

How to Write a Feature Story Lead to Attract Readers

1. 

   Go off by yourself to write if at all possible. Such distractions as the radio, TV or even family conversation can make it very difficult to create an effective lead.

2. Read painstakingly through your interview notes. Identify what captures the essence of your subject, whether it was a moment in time or a belief she might hold. Understand what you are trying to express about your subject. That will determine the basic premise of your lead.

3. 

   Take the reader into the life of your subject. Key on a moment in time in her life by placing the reader there. But keep in mind that you're not writing a news story. Dramaticize the lead by noting a time and place in which your subject's life took a critical turn.

4. Create a lead based on your subject's daily routine that will explain what drives him. Place your reader into a time and place in his daily life that explains his motivations.

5. Make the first two or three paragraphs of your feature as interesting as possible. It is best to be conversational in your writing. Ask yourself if your lead flows when read. Often a lead will take nearly as long to write as the rest of the feature, but that's fine. Remember that if you don't hook your reader with an interesting lead, she will not read the rest of your feature.

Tips & Warnings

• Landing feature-writing jobs can be difficult without previous experience, so you might have to work for free until you've written enough strong features to send to editors and to establish a resume.

• Accuracy is paramount in any feature writing. Don't take liberties with facts for the sake of creativity. That could land you in legal trouble.

Resources

• Feature Writing for Newspapers and Magazines: The Pursuit of Excellence, By Jay Friedlander