Structure of a Feature Story
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This document provides guidance on structuring a feature article. It discusses including a strong lead paragraph to hook the reader, followed by a "nut graph" that summarizes the main point. The body should alternate between quotes and observations to tell the story. It can have a chronological, narrative, or other structure. The ending should tie back to the beginning or leave things unresolved. Proper structure helps turn interviews and facts into an engaging narrative that readers will enjoy.
Structure of a Feature Story
- 1. Sturcture of a feature
- 2. Feature writing process 1. Finding the idea (topic and angle) 2. Planning, background research (->synopsis) 3. Fieldwork (=collecting materials) 4. Organizing materials 5. Writing (1st draft) 6. Re-writing, editing, proofreading...
- 3. ORGANIZING 1. Inventory of material 2. Writing you premise 3. Selecting relevant material 4. Writing an outline (-> structure)
- 4. STURCTURE How to organize your materials in the text: observations, quotes from interviews, collected facts etc.? In which order and how do you present the various material?
- 5. Quote 1 Quote 4 Quote 5 Quote 2 Quote 3 Observation: Description of the scene Observation: Description of a person Obsevation: Description of action Observation: Description of action Fact Fact Fact Fact Anecdote 1 Example Fact
- 6. Quote 1 Quote 4 Quote 5 Quote 2 Quote 3 Observation: Description of the scene Observation: Description of a person Obsevation: Description of action Observation: Description of action Fact Fact Fact Fact Anecdote 1 Example Fact
- 8. Some structural options Cronological structure Narrative structure Suspended interest strucure Spatial sturcture Alternating viewpoints/distance structure Scene by scene structure Parallel narratives structure
- 10. lEAD Introduction to the story Sets the mood of the whole story The first paragraph(s) of the story. " A Narrative hook", something interesting that "hooks" the reader to read the rest of a story.
- 11. lEAD What makes a lead interesting? Focus on something specific, rather than the general context/issue. Choose a dramatic example. Highlight tension: conflict, contradictions, problems... Creat mystery
- 12. lEAD Lead can be for example: A descriptive lead: a detailed description of a scene, a person, an action... A direct quote or a piece of dialogue A startling statement A surprising twist An interesting anecdote A question * For examples, see e.g. Feature Writing by Jeanne Acton (in the course blog)
- 13. LEAD - EXAMPLE 1 "The boldness in her face is striking, dressed with a genuine smile as she moves her legs to the sides, hands in the air as she crafts the amazing swings from her light body. Khalila Mbowe is an alumnus of Taylor's University, Malaysia and an entrepreneur. She is the mother of a four-year-old boy, Pharell, and also one of few amazingly multitalented young women in Tanzania." (The Citizen 12.4.2013)
- 14. LEAD - EXAMPLE 2 "The family had lived in the rundown rental house for almost three years when someone first saw a child's face in the window. A little girl, pale, with dark eyes, lifted a dirty blanket above the broken glass and peered out, one neighbor rememberred." (Tampa Bay 31.7.2008)
- 15. "NUT GRAPH" Summarizes what the story is all about: your premise, the main statement/point of your feature. Often immediately after the lead. Typically answers What? Where? When? Why? and How? BUT: In feature you don't necessarily need to reveal everything at this point! It can be better to retain the mystery and to build tension until the end.
- 16. MAIN BODY Typically direct quotes and transitions alternate. Transitions can include - descriptions of your own observations, - facts related to the topic, - parafrasing what the interviewee has told you ("She could not believe it... When she first..."), - indirect quotation from the interviews ("He says it's a matter of... /According to her it was...").
- 17. ENDING Ending can be for example a powerful quote, a summary ending: sums up the story, a circle ending: ties the end to the beginning, a "snapper" : a shock, a surprise, or a revelation, a resolution / solution to the issue/problem.
- 18. ENDING End may provide a closure or leave things open, unresolved. End is usually somehow connected to the beginning!
- 19. EXAMPLE "Is she okay? Danielle is better than anyone dared hope. She has learned to - -. In her new room, she has a window she can look out of. When she wants to see outside, all she has to do is raise her arms and her dad is right behind her, waiting to pick her up."
- 20. REMEMBER: Feature is not just about convaying information, it is about TELLING STORIES!
- 21. Analysing feature Read the example feature story and pay attention to the followin things: What is the topic and the angle/focus of the story written? What type of a feature is it? Is there a main character in the story? Through whose eyes is the story told (whose point of view)? Which interviewees, other sources? What kind of a basic sturcture (e.g. cronological, suspended interest, parallel narratives, varying distance...) How does the story begin? Is the beginning (lead) powerful? Is there a "nut graph" in the story? Where? Can you tell, what is the main point of theh story (premise)? How does the story end? Is there a closure in the story or not?