Definition of Feature:
Feature is a term widely used among newspapers and journalists. The Complete Reporter book says “The word ‘feature’ may be one of the most overworked words in the lexicon of journalists”.
In the book ‘New Survey of Journalism’, George Fox Mort and other writers say about the feature, the feature emphasizes the human appeal rather than the mere daily news, which is why the general reader is attracted to the feature and pays attention to it. And in this, the feature is able to stir the emotions of the reader.
Feature Highlights:
Feature orientation gives a unique perspective. Special perspective features are important and indispensable features. Features do not get complete without special perspective.
The feature is a humanitarian appeal. Human appeal is the lifeblood of a feature. Without human appeal, there is no point in writing a feature.
Elements of this human appeal are emotions of one or more dimensions. For example: love, hate, anger, surprise, pain, anger, fear etc.
Key points of feature planning:
Just as 5W + H should be kept in mind while writing a data collection report, in writing a feature, one should also pay attention to the triangle or three things. For example:
- Editorial policy of the newspaper
- Potential reader interest
- Genuine interest of the reader.
When writing a feature, prioritizing its topics can help you present a worthwhile feature to the reader.
Feature Aim:
Plain news contains dull information. The aim or purpose of the feature is to provide some relief from the tired mind of the reader.
The main main goals or objectives of the feature are:
- To inform
- To teach
- To entertain
- To motivate
Characteristic of Feature:
- A feature is a kind of juicy description;
- Its appeal is different from simple and serious news;
- Feature requests don’t expire over time;
- Features such as hard news are not immediately fresh, but their appeal never ends;
- From simple news to dense information, there is a rush of time. But the feature has no such obligation;
- There is no need to wait for an event to write a feature. Features can be written even if nothing happens. Different levels of emotions, feelings, love and curiosity can be expressed in it;
- In terms of presentation, there is scope for drama in the feature as desired;
- Feature is such a composition and such a description, that it is possible to make a trivial or insignificant event into a pleasant read;
- Sometimes the feature seems to be a bit sweet and condescending, but it has a direct connection with reality;
- The feature has to prioritize one thing;
- Apart from real news, the reader needs some more information with human appeal.
Types:
There can be different types of features or reports. For example:
1) Human appeal features: Such features are written to touch or arouse human feelings like happiness, sadness, laughter, crying, anger, and hatred. Usually, such features are written about women, men, children, animals (birds), natural beauty, weather, environment, fairs, festivals, festivals, sports, etc. Note that all features must have some level of human appeal.
2) Personality portrayal: Generally, such features are written about famous, important or established people in various fields. Such as poets, writers, artists, politicians, singers, sportsmen, academicians, etc. A similar approach can also be taken to flesh out the life philosophy of a feature writer who has established himself as a follower.
3) Autobiographical features: If a prominent person expresses his life view, or experience, then such a narrative is called an autobiographical feature or narrative. But be careful. Self-talk should not turn into lies.
4) Confessional feature: This is a special type of autobiographical feature. In such a feature, the author reveals his personal secrets. As a result, a special appeal is created in the mind of the reader. People involved in sports or showbiz resort to such tactics.
5) History-based feature: This type of feature is written about any event, subject or person of the past. A touch of the past or an interesting subject is capable of creating quite an appeal to the present reader. Because in such features, the past is served timely. New light is shed on familiar stories or concepts and the reader is reminded of past glories or failures.
6) Interview feature: An excellent human appeal can be created by highlighting the joys and pains of a successful or unsuccessful person and various aspects of life through interviews.
7) News Feature or Feature Religion News: When hard news has an appealing aspect, that aspect is focused on and seen from the featured item. An If feature is called a second feature if published a day after the main news story. A new feature is published along with the main story, and then it is called a side story.
8) Travelogue or Adventure feature: People are interested in people outside their familiar environment, diverse professions or their lifestyles, geographical diversity, travel, history. Travelogue features are written keeping these things in mind.
9) Analytical feature: There is news behind the news. Analytical judgments are written with these news contexts, causal formulas, unknown or semi-known relevant information. Especially such features are written about crimes, political scandals, accidents etc.
10) Developmental Features: Developmental features are the new addition of modern journalism. Features written on developmental topics are called developmental features. Developmental features are written on the issues of development problems, potential, success of individuals-groups or organizations, local resources etc. In third world countries, governments, NGOs, donor groups and their affiliates mainly focus on such features to instill a desire for development in the minds of the common people.
To write an informative, reliable and interesting feature:
There are several things to keep in mind while writing a feature. For example:
A. Feature writing should be descriptive, dramatic or dramatic, or exaggerated.
B. Use familiar vocabulary. To pretend to be scholarly, one should refrain from using idiosyncratic or obsolete words.
C. Small paragraphs should be arranged. It will make the reader more comfortable and beneficial to read.
D. Be careful in using adjectives. Better not to use too many adjectives.
E. Everyone should write in a way that people can easily talk to.
F. Good planning is required during data collection, as well as during writing. Gathering information should be planned in advance. Because writing in a steady rhythm helps the performance.
G. When collecting data, the table drawn in the head is not always useful. While looking for information, if a new and important angle is seen, the table should be changed.
H. The angle that seems appropriate should be developed as fully, logically, and logically as possible.
I. First, define a scope of feature writing. For example, 500 to 1000 words need to understand the story and decide the size.
J. When taking information from an individual, be on the lookout for excellent examples.
K. The issue of initiation should be considered in advance. It is important to take care that the beginning of the feature is interesting. This is your opportunity to catch the reader’s interest. Must present true and credible information. There is no fiction in the feature. Here the support of data proof is very important.
L. Always use Sablin language to write features. Journalistic language will always be simple. A particular type of journalism is to use the language of features in simplicity as well as catchy rhythms to clarify the content and range of forms and flavors.
M. If the writing fails to maintain emotion or appeal from beginning to end, the very purpose of the feature will be defeated.
N. The main purpose of a feature is to describe or tell a story. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure that the story does not get buried behind emotional language and avoid overdramatization.
O. It is best not to leave your own comments or your own creations in the feature. But advice can be given in the form of application.
P. One’s speech should be presented in a constructive manner without distorting it.
Q. Sometimes it is better to enclose regional words in parentheses.
R.Feature writing should use simple language and short sentences. Note how many words in a sentence make the text easier or more difficult to understand. For example:
- Very easy = 8 words or less;
- Simple = 11 words;
- Fairly simple—14 words;
- Hard = 21 words;
- Quite difficult = 25 words;
- Very difficult = 29 words or more
- To sum up, by comprehending the purpose, traits, and forms of feature writing and applying excellent writing advice, one can guarantee the production of interesting, captivating, and educational articles that draw in readers.
