This document discusses the key characteristics and types of feature stories in newspapers. It notes that features are meant for lighter reading than news stories and focus on entertainment through dialogue, personalities and action-packed narratives. While factual, features differ from news in structure by not following the inverted pyramid format and prioritizing what is most interesting. The document then outlines various types of features including news features, personality sketches, issue-oriented stories, seasonal stories and more. It provides examples of different lead styles features may use such as summaries, quotes, descriptions and questions. Descriptive writing techniques are also discussed to help paint word pictures for readers.
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Features ppt
1. The Heart of the Newspaper
By Alfonso M. Samillano Jr.
Chief Editor, The Prism
University of Antique Main Campus
2. The so-called heart of the publication
Written to entertain for lighter reading
Action-packed
Comments, dialogs, personalities carry the
story
Like news, it is factual in approach but differs
in structure
Independent from element of timeliness for it
to attract reader attention
3. Never uses the inverted pyramid
format
Focuses on whats most interesting
Starts with a description either a
mood or a setting
Hardly starts with a direct quotation
Runs beyond one sentence, usually
five or six paragraphs
Attribution is delayed
4. News Features - explores news stories in details
Personality sketch facts centered on a person
Q 7 A
Issue-oriented examines trends and
controversies
Seasonal special occasssions (Cristmas, Holy
Week, etc)
Bright Feature its a little funny, unusual story
5. Something-Out-of-Nothing about something
ordinary
Historical focuses on history of an event
Travel destinations, points of interest, what
they offer, etc.
First-Person written only when a person
experienced an extraordinary event
Consumer-Oriented business, products and
services
Practical guidance the how-to articles, tips on
almost about anything
6. News Feature
A summary lead that tells the beginning, middle and end of the story.
Example:
Hundreds of elite soldiers are scouring the rugged terrains of San
Remigio in search for members of NPA responsible for beheading
government operatives more than two weeks
Quotation Lead
Prefers short and dramatic but summarizes the theme, otherwise
this is seldom used.
Example:
When my husband died, I lost my life, too. I cant remember
anything now. I died with him. (American Magazine)
7. Direct Address
Use the pronoun you in consumer-oriented pieces and related
stories.
Example:
Youre in a jeepney and someone pokes his knife on your side
demanding: Give me your cellphone. What do you do when
you know he has three companions around you? (POLICE
FILES)
Play of Words
Use of puns or jokes
Example:
Tubig. It is a problem too big to solve in the metropolis.
(Unang Hirit)
8. Question
Sometimes this works, but sometimes it could be silly.
Example:
What does an anti-war organization do when the war is over?
Suspense
Short leads that lead to suspenseful development
Example:
Three weeks ago, Milagring Corring bought a stack of travel books
and maps for the planned cross-country adventure with her
husband. They left home Friday last week. Three days later, she
bought him a casket.
9. Anecdote lead
Tells a brief story applicable to the key issue of the feature
Example:
Every morning, Sixto wakes up before 5 a.m. when the roosters sing
their symphony at dawn. He would stretch first, and jump out of bed and
do his usual 50-count push ups. I dont drink. I dont smoke and at 50, I
can still run almost as fast as my 16-yearl-old boy, says Sixto, who
attribute his fitness to good diet, enough sleep and exercises.
Physical Description
Describes a person especially his/her physical attributes.
Example:
Sixty-two-year old Olayra Perez, unlike other women her age, has
remained almost a fountain of youth. Her face hardly has wrinkles, and
her sister swears Olayras looks were almost the same when she was
25.
10. Descriptive lead
Making things highly visual for the reader is the hallmark of this type
of lead. Scenes, individuals, events and moods are described clearly
and precisely as the situation takes place.
Example:
Dawn has yet to break and yet, informal settlers in Brgy.
Tuburan were all running towards the lone water faucet with their red
and blue buckets of different sizes. To them who have been
waterless for a week, the steady sound of dripping water is like a
wave of relief. Young and old, employed and jobless, they all crowd
expectantly, willing the faucet to spew a steady stream of water.
12. By being specific with details, the writer is able to control what he
exactly wants the reader to see in his minds eye.
Not specific : She appreciated the beauty of the
sampaguita in her mothers garden
Specific : Luisas heart warmed upon seeing the
sampaguitas long stems coiling around the
trellis, white flowers perfuming the late
afternoon air in her mothers well-tended garden.
13. Making something lifeless or inert come alive with the
use of words that refer to living things has an effect on
the reader.
Inanimate : Leaves were on the floor.
Animate : Leaves lie on the floor.
14. Show what happened and dont merely tell about it.
Elaborate on a feature themes important scene or event by
describing how the subject feels.
Tell : John was happy when he received his package.
Show : John, 8, excitedly opened the package from his
sponsor. His eyes lit up and a broad smile
appeared on his face. I love the toys! Theyre
beautiful! he said with a giggle.
15. Write a descriptive lead centered on the goings-on
at your town public market during Market day.
16. References:
Feature Writing from the lectures of Hazel P. Villa, Iloilo
City, Philippines
Feature Writing from the lecture of Eric T. Loretizo, PIA Region
6, Iloilo City