How to Write a Good Newspaper Article Feature

For an inexperienced writer, writing a newspaper article can be challenging. Even more challenging than a learning how to write a hard news article for the newspaper is learning how to write a newspaper article in the form of a feature story. Try these tips for writing a great newspaper article feature story.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer or Word Processor
• Interview and/or Relevant Sources for the Newspaper Feature Story
• Photographs to Accompany the Feature Story When it Runs in the Newspaper

1. RESEARCH AND INTERVIEW: Begin by conducting the research for the newspaper article. Feature stories typically involve multiple interviews as sources, in addition to researched information.

2. BEGIN WITH AN ANECDOTE OR INTERESTING FACT: Most newspaper articles are hard news stories, and these hard news stories start with a hard lead (who, what, when, where, how and why). Unlike a hard news story, a newspaper feature story will usually start with an anecdote or interesting fact that ropes in the reader. This anecdote or interesting fact should just be a couple sentences long - just enough to pique a reader's interest and to make them want to read more.

3. EXPLAIN WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW AND WHY: After the lead paragraph, which should consist of a brief anecdote or fact, explain the basics of who, what, when, where, how and why. This second paragraph is essentially the same as what a newspaper reporter would use as a lead for a hard news story.

4. PROCEED CHRONOLOGICALLY: Many newspaper articles that have a feature-story feel are told chronologically. One method involves telling the story in a chronological manner with facts, expert opinions, and other information either sprinkled in throughout the chronological presentation of the feature story. The second method involves presenting a chronological summary of events first, followed by expert opinion, analysis and facts at the end.

5. WRITE A CONCLUSION: When writing a newspaper article, even a feature story, it's important to leave readers with useful information at the end. A newspaper article conclusion is NOT a summary. The newspaper article's conclusion should direct readers in some way. When writing about an upcoming event, conclude with information about when and where the event will take place, along with a phone number and website address. When writing about an organization or person, include website or contact information when appropriate. When writing about the latest in a series of events, conclude with information about the next event in the series. A newspaper article's conclusion should offer direction to readers who wish to learn more or who wish to know about a future event.

6. PROOFREAD AND SUBMIT!: Always proof read a newspaper article before submitting the piece for publication. Often, reading the piece aloud or reading to another person helps writers to detect grammatical errors, missing words, etc.

Tips & Warnings

• How long should your article be? You should obtain this information before starting the writing process so you can plan accordingly.
• When used sparingly, second-person (i.e. "you" instead of "they," "he" or "she," which is third-person) is usually permissible in a newspaper article that's written in a feature story style.
• Get your quotes and information correct! There is no excuse for factual errors or quotation errors when writing a newspaper article or any other article for that matter. If you are unsure about a fact, don't guess - verify. Whether you're working in public relations, as a newspaper reporter, or as a feature writer, nothing kills your credibility (and your career) like factual errors.
• Proofread your work! Grammatical, spelling and typing errors are distracting and unprofessional. These sloppy errors also kill credibility.

Resources

• Resources for Writers
• How to Write a Newspaper Article
• More Tips to Write a Newspaper Article
• How to Write a Press Release
• Tips to Get a Job as a Journalist
• How to Make Money Writing on the Web
• How to Conduct an Interview

[my1212]

on 7/30/2009 great article!