Whether it’s a heartwarming profile of a local champion or an in-depth look at a global issue, a news feature offers readers deeper insight into a topic than a traditional news story. A popular form of soft news, the article is commonly written in a narrative style to engage the reader.
A typical news story is focused on timelines and delivering the “who, what, when, where, why and how” of an event quickly and efficiently. News writers often work on tight deadlines and juggle several stories simultaneously. This requires them to convey factual information with clarity and accuracy.
Unlike news stories, a feature is not based on timelines and can have a longer shelf life. For example, a story about why homeschooling has become so popular in the US can remain relevant six months or even a year after publication.
There are a number of different types of news features including trends, how-to’s, travel and human interest stories. A trend story will explore an emerging topic in culture, business or lifestyle and provide tips and insights. A how-to article will provide step-by-step guidance on accomplishing a task. A travel feature can highlight a destination and its attractions. A human interest story will mimic a profile, but instead of focusing on one person it will showcase an experience, program or cause and how it has changed the lives of those involved. The story may also include a twist, sparking surprise and empathy from the reader.
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