CAMPUS JOURNALISM Writing Features Objectives: development of an interesting, easy writing style knowledge of the similarities and differences

es between a news story and a feature article; and between a news feature and a feature article knowledge of the broad topics of feature articles ability to introduce and end a feature story knowledge of the qualities of a good feature writing Key Vocabularies: (with Filipino translation) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. feature - a special or a distinctive attraction of something ( lead - headline; in principal or primary position (nasa unahang posisyon) novelty - new thing or experience; something new (bagong karanasan, makabago) entertain - to make someone happy or amused (aliwin) objective - aim, purpose (layunin) summary lead - summary of a news story which is written above the body of the news (buod ng isang balita na nasa unahang parte ng balita) precise - exact (wasto, husto) sparingly - limitedly (limitado, may hangganan) rhetorical - effective use of language (mabisang pagamit ng wika) startling - surprising (nakakagulat) narrative - telling a story (nagkukuwento) descriptive - with description (naglalarawan) maxim - saying (kasabihan) aphorism - clear and brief comment (maliwanag at maiksing puna o komento) forecast (verb) - saying what will happen (magsabi kung ano ang mangyayari) prophecy - prediction (hula) repetition - repeating of something (pag-uulit) keen observer - sharp, sensitive, very good observer (matalas, masilan at magaling na tagamasid) significant - important (mahalaga)

Definition of Feature Article It is a special or a prominent article in a newspaper or magazine.

Comparison of Feature and News Comparison 1. Definition 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. News Feature Report of an event; usually printed An essay based on facts; usually on newspapers printed on magazines Purpose To inform To entertain using human interest stories Timeliness Timely Timely Length Short Depends upon the needs Use of words Simple, precise, concrete May be descriptive, flowery, colorful Use of sentences Short, simple, 15-25 words average May be longer Paragraph No topic sentence, one idea, one With topic sentence, longer paragraph Use of literary Journalistic, direct to the point, no Literary, can be journalistic, with devices idioms, no figures of speech idioms and figures of speech Use of adjectives Uses adjectives sparingly; opinion, As much as desired never Parts Lead, body Introduction, body, conclusion

Topics for Feature Stories 1. Personalities - This feature article is sometimes called a character sketch. It is usually short. It could be a student leader, a successful alumnus, a teacher, a school staff member, or even about an industrious janitor. The student to be featured should not always be the campus doll, nor the dashing Romeo of the class, but the achiever, the builder, or the innovator. 2. Experience and Adventure - This is a feature article that talks or discusses about an experience of someone. Say for example, one of the members of the school publication attended a seminar in a far place; he can discuss the things that they did during the seminar. 3. Description - The writer can write about significant events and special activities in the school or in the community. One example is a description of a project made by a group of students in the school. The writer must see to it that in his description, he must see to it that it is factual and original. He should also use simple and concrete words that are easily understood especially by the average readers. 4. Narratives - These are interesting stories to relate especially historical ones. A writer can ask an old person in the community or in the school to know more facts on what he is going to write. For example, a writer may ask about how the school got its name, or how the people in the olden days fished or washed clothes. 5. What to Do and How to Do Articles? - These are articles on what and how to do things. For example, a writer may write what to do during typhoons or any natural or ma-made calamities. One may also write about how to cook a native delicacy of the town or district.

How to Introduce the Feature Article 1. Rhetorical Question Who says that age is an obstacle to education? 2. Startling Statement Hindi pa kami laos! 3. Narrative Opening Mrs. Ruth Perya, a fourth year evening student, sends herself and her six children to school, acting as mother and father at the same time. 4. Quoted remarks I earn while I learn. He smiled at me as the interview reeled off. 5. An old maxim, an aphorism, or a salawikain Water, water, everywhere, but no drop to drink 6. History or background of the subject Muslims throughout the world, including our Filipino Muslim brothers, observe the holy month of Ramadan starting September 17. Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar. 7. Problems to be Discussed in the article or fact to be discussed There is an answer to the rising cost of vegetables: raise your own. Ending the Feature Article 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. A summary of the article An announcement of the main point for the first time A question left in the readers mind Suggested results or significance A forecast or prophecy A repetition of the introduction A repetition of a sentence or slogan, or a reference to the title An appropriate quotation

Qualities of a Good Feature Writer He knows how to look for features from beneath the surface of every days event. He investigates every angle before starting to write in order to get the story behind the story. He is a keen observer. He has varied interests. He has the ability to write features interestingly.

Prepared by: Miss Annalou S. Palua Resource Speaker