Feature stories have a critical role to play within the writing industry. These pieces take a deeper dive into a story or topic, giving readers more information about the “how” and “why” behind a story.
Part of writing your first feature article is having a clear understanding of the key components involved. Read this guide to gain a better understanding of what goes into a feature article and the components you can use to bring a compelling story to life.
What is a feature article?
Feature articles stand out from standard news pieces because they go beyond merely reporting the facts. These articles provide an in-depth look at the real details behind a story or topic. These articles can be profiles, human interest stories, travel features, and how-to pieces.
What are the components of a feature article?
Introduction
The headline is one of the most critical parts of a feature article. It’s the opportunity to grab the reader’s attention and bring them in to learn more. Feature article writers can pair the catchy headline with a subheading that teases the reader with information about what the story or article is about.
The lead also plays a role in building excitement about what is still to come. It’s built through an engaging opening, which could be a surprising fact or an anecdote that helps pull the reader further into the story.
A feature article writer can’t forget to leave out the Nut Graph. This portion of the intro is usually in the second or third paragraph and is used to share the story’s importance and why it matters.
Body
There are also key components of a feature article found in the body of the piece. The body acts as the main portion of the feature article. It’s the space where the writer can begin telling the story in a way that goes beyond delivering news to the audience.
Writers can enhance the overall story by including anecdotes related to the topic or subject. These personal stories provide a way to build empathy that allows the reader to make a deeper connection with the story.
Anecdotes can be backed up by quotes and expert opinions. The best feature article writers collect or conduct interviews from a variety of sources. These sources are invaluable because they allow the writer to build credibility while enhancing the human interest side of the piece.
A challenge that many new feature article writers face is learning how to include sensory writing into the body. Readers of feature pieces want to feel and see the picture you’re painting for them with your words. The picture becomes much more vivid for readers when you use words that are more about “showing” rather than “telling.”
Most of all, it’s imperative that writers go the extra mile to find facts and data that support the narrative that they’re creating with their piece. That extra credibility can make the feature much more enjoyable and improve the likelihood of connecting with the audience.
Conclusion
The group of components of a feature article is the conclusion, which is also referred to as the Kicker. A top feature article will include a kicker that features a resonant and strong ending that is meant to provide closure to the reader. It’s most effective when it links back to the lead, offers a call-to-action, or features a twist.
Supporting elements of a feature
There are several supporting elements to consider using when writing your first feature. Structure plays a role in supporting the article, especially when used to support the overall message or theme of the piece. Writers should consider building the structure around the theme rather than working in chronological order. Smooth transitions can aid this process further.
Multimedia resources can also make a difference. They can build emotional connections when paired with sensory language. These resources can include photos, informational graphics, and videos that enhance the article’s storytelling.
The last supporting element to include when writing a feature article is the voice or tone you want to choose. These feature pieces are not news articles, and writers can choose a more personable and engaging tone rather than merely listing the facts for the reader.
With this guide, writers have all of the guidance and structure necessary to begin constructing their first feature article.
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