UNIT 5 FEATURE WRITING

Structure
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Learning Outcomes
5.2 Definition
5.2.1 Important Ingredients of Feature Articles
5.2.2 Difference Between Feature Writing and News Writing
5.2.3 Feature Writing and Other Journalistic Writings

5.3 Kinds/Types/Categories of Features

5.4 How to Write a Feature Article
5.4.1 Choosing a Topic
5.4.2 Preparations Needed
5.4.3 Tapping Sources for Material
5.4.4 Researching the Topic

5.5 Freelancing Features

5.5.1 Studying Market for Selling Features
5.5.2 Addressing/Contacting Editors

5.6 Let Us Sum Up

5.7 Further Reading
5.8 Check Your Progress: Possible Answers

5.0 INTRODUCTION
As a student of journalism, you would have realized by now that these days no
aspect of human life is untouched or unaffected by mass media’s 24x7x365 hectic
operations. Besides, as you know, the print and electronic media- newspapers,
magazines and journals, television, radio and Internet churn out all kinds of news,
views, and hugely multifarious variety of other printed stuff from every nook and
corner of the globe. Daily newspaper only adds to normally what we already
know by the time it is delivered at our doorstep in the morning.
However, there is one specific area of print journalism relating to various aspects
of human endeavor, which though covered very well by print media, but which
is not adequately attended to by the electronic media. Yet, the readers avidly
look forward to it day- in and day-out. This crucial area of print journalism is
called ‘feature article’.
And why is this so? Because what the newspapers accomplish with features, it
is believed, is difficult for other media to achieve. A short perusal of any daily
newspaper will prove this point. The feature article has in recent times, therefore,
come to acquire a prominent place in our daily dose of reading- be it the daily
newspaper, magazines, newsletters weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or of any other
periodicity.
Thus, with a view to telling you as to how this can be done, in this Unit, we
will discuss at length: what is a feature article, what are the various kinds of 65
Analytical Writing features, how are features written, and how you can sell your feature article and
make money from this genre of popular journalistic writing.

5.1 LEARNING OUTCOMES

After you have gone through this Unit, it is hoped that you will be able to:
comprehend as to what a feature article is;
understand the difference between a ‘news story’ and a ‘feature’, an
‘editorial’ and a ‘feature’, a ‘backgrounder’ and a ‘feature’;
recognize the difference between a feature article and various other journalistic
writings;
learn about the various kinds / types / categories of features;
actually write a feature article;
and, finally, understand how to make money by writing features.

5.2 DEFINITION
What is a feature? The briefest answer is: ‘anything that is not news’. However,
simply and crisply stated, a feature article is also a type of journalistic writing that
‘entertains and informs.’
Described precisely and in other words, a feature article is a piece written with
a view to elaborate about an exclusive or a particular characteristic distinct,
special, marked, specific designated information or details of an issue, knowledge
or guidance on a given event or an happening, subject or a place. It is not a news
story.
Currently, since the print media, particularly the daily newspapers, news magazines,
and newsletters carrying news reports are experiencing tough times due to declining
circulation, and huge financial downturn, feature articles and feature stories are
getting increased attention for attracting higher readerships and beefing up their
presence in the marketplace. This is particularly so because features are written
in simple, casual, and popular language, and are easily digested by the reader.
These writings are of lasting value with a longer shelf life and are not perishable
like a news item.
Also, more readers want to read features because these are hugely instrumental
in informing them on issues they are ignorant about and places they will never visit.
As stated by Sharon Wheeler, a noted British journalism teacher, who adds
further that ‘they (readers) want to be given an insight into a famous person’s
life and what makes them tick…want to be outraged when a miscarriage of justice
is revealed…a complicated issue to be broken down into layperson’s terms…want
an armchair view of the gig we couldn’t attend.’
This is exactly what today’s features in newspapers is and news magazines are
expected to achieve. But the news stories can’t.

5.2.1 Important Ingredients of Feature Articles

To be able to write a good feature article, one needs to possess ‘gift of the gab’
66 and a superb command on the language. In addition, the writer needs to be
talented enough and equipped with thinking skills to approach the subject from Feature Writing
multiple ways. Here are some important and crucial elements and ingredients that
can make your feature an attractive read and for you to be hailed as a good
feature writer:
Immaculate Language: Flawless, racy, grammatically infallible, and simple
language will quickly win and retain the reader for all times to come. Use
difficult words rarely; avoid unfamiliar jargons; abhor intricate ideas; resist
verbose phrases and heavily loaded sentences.
Express your own views on the topic frankly, unreservedly: Readers are
interested in knowing what you as a writer think about the issue you are
dwelling on. Develop your own thoughts in a logical, cogent, chronological
and engaging style. Let the readers have dig into your mind. It will make the
reader support you and be your fan, if you are successful in earning his
loyalty by offering what ordinarily most readers are looking for.
Be Personal: The trick is to instantly involve the reader on what you are
drumming about. Give your own colour, innate description, try and gauge,
solicit the spectator’s mood, facial expressions, his personal views, quote his
/her words verbatim, colour of his shirt / saree / jean / hairstyle / age / looks-
whatever, howsoever you can do it. Don’t hesitate; the readers love it. They
will always follow your writings.
Interview/Converse/Dialogue: As stated earlier, quoting the people on-the-
spot adds profuse authenticity and value to your writings / views. Always be
on the look out for an opportunity to pick up and quote key, punchy words
from the conversation, or dialogue you are having with any interviewee.
Features are Longer Than News Stories: In order to provide abundant
and self-contained information, by a feature, it has often to be longer than
a news item. The news story merely offers snippets, but a feature is more
than that. Generally acceptable length of a feature is between 1,000 and
1,200 words for a daily newspaper, and between 1,500 and 2,000 words
for a magazine. Magazines usually have longer shelf life and retentional value
than a daily newspaper.
Pictures, Pictures, and more Pictures: Remember, no good feature will
look attractive enough or be acceptable for publication without at least a
couple of good pictures on the most discussed aspect of the feature article.
A pretty face, latest saree design, a beautiful figure always attract a
discriminating, discerning, intelligent reader. Don’t forget that a crisply done
feature on an up-to-date, hot, burning, highly debated issue or topic is
perhaps the best marketing prank to allure the clientele to your publication,
and make it sell.
Finally, Look Ahead: Plan a feature for the forthcoming occasions. Be
imaginative, think ahead of others. Many new things are going to happen in
the not too distant future. Local, regional, national events are planned much
ahead. Be knowledgeable about such events; collect materials and relevant
information about such forthcoming events much in advance and be ready
with your piece at least three-four weeks in advance. Festivals, for example—
Diwali, Eid, Republic Day, Christmas, New Year … the list is endless. Just
think! This will enable publications in accepting and scheduling the
publication of your feature on the dot—on the very day the event is due. 67
Analytical Writing You will win accolades from the readers, appreciation from your fans. And,
some good money for yourself too!
Here’s the list of language do’s and don’ts: Choose the precise word; be simple
and concise; prefer a familiar word to the unfamiliar; use the concrete rather than
the abstract; avoid clichés; be positive and honest; try to write as you speak;
and, vary your pace and rhythm. (Brendan Hennessy: Writing Feature Articles,
2006.)

5.2.2 Difference Between News Writing and Feature

Writing
By now you may surely know what is ‘news’, and how it is written: A news story
has to be objective, topical, fresh, bare facts, generally fitted in a strait-jacket
frame to meet the text-book discipline, i.e., 5 Ws and 1 H. But a feature article
is not necessarily written in that formulaic manner.
As you know well, writing a news story has to be done within a tight deadline
after which the story loses its worth. A feature article can, however, be written
in a comparatively somewhat relaxed, easy timeline. There is plenty of scope for
packing multiple viewpoints in a feature, yet that may not be feasible or necessary
in all features.
However, a news story is usually done in the pyramid style i.e.,, facts are presented
from the top to bottom in a structured manner. News items are written in an
impersonalised manner; often the reporter’s view has no place in the body of the
news story.. Quotes have to be ascribed to the sources, crucial people on the
spot, whose views are vital and added to the facts pertaining to the story and
written within inverted commas (“ “), also called Quotes.
In order to be effective, news stories have to be short, sharp, to the point, crisp,
packing maximum information in fewest words to save valuable newspaper space,
and also the harassed reader’s time. But in order to be read and to retain the
reader’s attention for longer period, a feature has to offer much more details, be
presented in a refined prose, and the language bedecked with lots of ‘blossoms
and flowers’, to be an attractive experience, and to leave a lasting impression on
the reader.
A news story, on the other hand, need not or may not be required to be
accompanied by a picture at all. All news stories don’t need to be illustrated with
photographs. Besides, there is no space in the body of a newspaper for that.
Finally, since newspapers and magazines meet varied needs, and cater to diversified
interests, the topics that suit newspaper features and magazine features will also
thus essentially have to be varied. For example, while, magazines can, and actually
many do, specialise in subjects such as the human interest issues, controversial
national and international matters, social, cultural, religious, political problems, and
so on, newspapers rarely follow that line.

5.2.3 Feature Writing and Other Journalistic Writings

As we have stated earlier, there is a vast difference between writing features for
newspapers and magazines. Similarly, features also differ from other journalistic
genres of writings.
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While, there are really no hard and fast rules and regulations for defining or Feature Writing
dividing these journalistic writings, these genres vary from newspaper to newspaper.
In any case, a feature article is not hard news; it is not review; it is not a column;
it is not an essay; it is not an editorial; it is not a filler; and it is not an advertorial.
But despite all that, there is a lot of commonalities amongst newspaper editorial
contents all over the world. For example, most newspapers regularly carry editorial
and op-ed pages; these news pages are designated as district/local; regional /
state; national/news from capital; international/ foreign / world.
Sports/specific sports- IPL, ICL, hockey, football, cricket, kabbadi, kho-kho,
wrestling, athletics, tennis, badminton, table tennis, shooting, swimming
championships, etc. competitive sports, such as World/Asian/African/Twenty-
Twenty/Commonwealth Cups and so on.
Other editorial content pages include: commerce/business/economy- stock
exchanges-local, national, international; commodities, bullion rates; property, real
estate etc. Entertainment forms an important aspect of any newspaper’s content
these days: review pages on cinema, films, CDs, television, music, theatre, radio,
arts, books, etc. are usually found.
Then there are columns on motoring, gardening, public grievances, comic strips,
cartoons, restaurants and hotels, food/recipes, wines/drinks/ladies wear/ men’s
clothes, footwear -for men, women and children.
The editorial and op-ed pages generally comprise: opinion, commentary, views,
interviews, news analysis, backgrounders, rejoinders, obituaries and so on. Some
newspapers also carry specially commissioned columns, extended write-ups on
individual religions e.g. commentary from the Bhagwad Gita, Mahabharata, Quran,
Bible, and other religious scriptures.
It may, however, be pointed out that though all these genres of writings are not
journalistic, strictly speaking, but since these are published day- in and day- out,
these have become part of the regular editorial content in most newspapers.
Check Your Progress 1
Note: 1) Use the space given below for your Answer.
2) Compare your answer with those given at the end of this Unit.
1. What do you understand by a feature article?
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2. Differentiate between an article and a feature article
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Analytical Writing
5.3 KINDS/TYPES/FORMS/CATEGORIES OF
FEATURES
Actually, there are no rigidly set up kinds or categories of features. However,
eight categories of features have been recognized by many western- particularly
British and American- professional journalists and noted journalism academicians.
These include:
News Features : Such features originate from and are based on important news
happenings, involving VIPs or notorious criminals or influential personalities. The
Indian Express, Delhi, specializes in such features - its recent news features on
noted criminal, Yasin Bhatkhal and his associates, who are now in prison;
Uttarakhand floods that caused huge damage to lives and property; jailing of
Bihar’s former chief minister, other state politicians and former IAS officers in the
aftermath of the recent Supreme Court judgment on convicted politicians are
some examples.
Special Event Features: India holding Commonwealth Games, Delhi University
organizing Annual Session of the 90th Indian Science Congress, India hosting the
UNESCO Annual Meet or Delhi being the venue of Commonwealth Heads of
Government Conference (CHOGM) etc. would all be deemed as special events.
Everything connected with these events would form excellent theme for a feature.
Personality Feature : Doing a personal profile of the United Nations General
Secretary, Ban ki-Moon, visiting India for the first time after his appointment; or
writing about the former US President’s wife, Michelle Obama’s, journey to the
American White House could be good subjects under this head.
Interview Feature: Talking to maestro singer Lata Mangeshkar, after she was
awarded the Bharat Ratna about her life story, and her life-long achievements as
a musician: tracing her early career years can be an ideal topic for an interview
feature. Also stories like speaking to the 70-year-old Japanese who scaled the
Mount Everest without oxygen would also be an excellent idea for such a story.
How-to Features: Such features are written for guiding users on how to operate
or handle sensitive, costly equipment, doing hazardous experiments or executing
dangerous jobs. The purpose is to instruct the user step –by- step, operation by
operation, for performing the activity, or accomplishing a tedious job expected
from the gadget or equipment. This helps the user to avoid accidents.
Background Features : Doing a report on an incident that may be connected
with an old, historical or ancient event. When the Clock Tower in Delhi’s Chandani
Chowk fell down several years ago, many newspapers wrote detailed pieces on
its background. Similarly, when the Indian Science Congress holds it Annual
session readers would like to learn about its history, functions, achievements, etc.
These tit- bits can form highly readable background features.
Investigative Features : Investigating the criminal career of the Bhatkhal brothers
and their associates can be an investigative feature. Probing the causes of communal
flare-ups in different part of the country would be good subjects for investigative
features.
Colour Features : These features are generally written on the subjects of which
70 the authors have deep knowledge and thorough understanding, besides adequate
command of the language. Often, these topics tend to be light, more descriptive, Feature Writing
with frequent creative play on the words, capturing the moods of a special occasion
such as a fair, holiday season with happiness and mirth flirting all around.
Adventure Features: Remember the young Kolkata girl, Bachandri Pal, the first
Indian woman to have climbed the Mount Everest. Hers was a unique feat, and
that formed a subject for an adventure feature. In this category also included are
first time travels to tough, highly hazardous, frightening regions of Asia, Africa,
Antartica, etc.
Opinion Features : Such pieces are usually based on expertise or research and
with the single aim of expressing personal views on a crucial subject. That person’s
findings should, however, weigh heavily in the concerned circles. Historian Irfan
Habib on Nehru-Jinnah connections, India’s former foreign Secretary’s view on
Sino-Indian border dispute, or US role in the Middle East, or Chinese activities
in the South-East Asia, US’s former Secretary of State advocating a permanent
membership for India in the UN Security Council come under this category.
Human Interest Features : A young boy who lost both his hands in a rail
accident, and paints beautiful sceneries with a paint brush tucked under his teeth,
or the brush held in his feet or a high school passout government clerk winning
Rs. 5-crore in the television shows “Kaun Banega Crorepati” show would be
most readable feature stories.
Development Features: As you would have understood, development
communication is an integral part of modern day media research and education.
Development stories from remote, far flung areas could present fascinating account
and be interesting feature reflecting the progress ordinary people there have made.

5.4 HOW TO WRITE A FEATURE ARTICLE?

As we have seen, there are subjects galore for writing feature articles. All one
needs to be able to write good features are skill and perception to recognize the
subjects that one wishes to write on. However, before undertaking to do so, it
would be prudent to learn more about the art and craft of writing a feature article.
The first and the foremost consideration should be to make sure that one has
adequate ability and competence to accomplish the task to the satisfaction of the
Editor. And it would be appropriate to consider adopting the following steps for
writing the piece.
As you know, every good piece of writing has to have a beginning, a middle, and
an end. While one may have some hazy idea of how the piece will look like, but
it is always prudent to draw a plan.
Therefore, a feature should have the LEAD, or the opening paragraph. But, this
first para will have to be structured differently than the one in case of a new story.
The first para of a feature article should attract, arrest, and hold the attention of
the reader and make him read it. If that happens instantly, the writer should be
deemed to have well succeeded in his /her object. However, this lead para could
be an abrupt, curt statement, an anecdote, or a description of a set scene. A
dialogue could also be used as a lead.
After the lead, the second stage is TRANSITION, addressed to the reader
explaining in a capsule form your reason in attempting to write this piece. This part
should further sharpen the inquisitiveness of the reader and propel him/her to
continue reading till the end. 71
Analytical Writing The third stage of the feature is termed DEVELOPMENT. In this section, the
theme / issue / subject of the feature should be developed further. This portion
of the feature is the heart and soul of the feature. It should be elaborated logically,
chronologically, systematically, and carefully keeping in mind that the reader has
been fully engaged, and that his/her interest in the piece is not wearing thin. The
paras should be interconnected, moving step-by-step, poin- by- point, doling out
information one after the other; making sure that each point supplements the other.
Finally, the feature should end in a manner that the reader is amply satisfied. And,
he / she should be made to realize that he/she has had an interesting, amusing,
exciting, enjoyable and pleasing experience reading your piece. The conclusion
could be in the form of another short anecdote (based on theme of the feature
only), another terse, quip, gibe or a joke; leaving the reader smiling and with
remarks like an ah, ooh, well done!
While these points are no rigid formula, but if the writer pursues these suggestions,
the feature should be able to leave an impressionable dent on the reader’s mind.
And if the writer has collected sufficient material, organized it well and presented
it cogently, the piece will shape effectively. And it should be an enjoyable treat.

5.4.1 Choosing a Topic

If you have been reading your newspaper / magazine with all your senses wide
open and alert, you would have found that all kinds of themes make excellent
topics or subjects for features. Perhaps the best suggestion in this regard would
be that whenever and wherever you are roaming about, just look around with
keen eyes, sharp attentive inquisitive mind and there will be a feature right in front
of you. If you are young, sports, pop stars, music, films, fashion, adventure,
travel, motoring, food, science & technology, computers and cybernetics, meeting
foreigners visiting your town should interest you as also the readers. And if you
are middle aged, politics and politicians, finance, health, and health system such
as gyms and spa, spiritual leaders/ godmen, career men and women, gardening,
environment, food, law and order, legal system, defence and security paraphernalia
would make some good topics for writing features. The list is endless; subjects
umpteen; topics galore.

5.4.2 Preparations Needed

Once you have identified a topic to write a feature on, it is important that you are
also fully equipped to write it well, and complete it on time. Meanwhile, as you
sit at your computer, all your materials should be readily available to you so that
your thought stream is uninterrupted.
The following professional writing tools are helpful and necessary and will assist
you to do your job well: a rough draft, a tentative structure of the feature article;
your notes; research and reference material you have gathered on the topic; list
of printed sources, and newspaper/magazine clippings; promotional literature-
posters, pamphlets, brochures, leaflets; good dictionary; Roget’s Thesaurus;
telephone directory; book of quotations; emails received; web sites; blogs; suitable
pictures to go with the feature to highlight the main thrust of the article, etc.
This is only a suggestive list; of course, you will have your own material to consult
and use for the article.

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While you are preparing to write a feature for a particular newspaper, magazine Feature Writing
or publication, it would be advisable for you to be aware of their editorial policy,
main economic and political programmes and general and social reputation. Your
piece has necessarily to be in total consonance and in complete agreement with
the views of the management and the editor. In the absence of these requirements,
you piece has lesser chances of being accepted for use in that newspaper or
magazine.

5.4.3 Tapping Sources for Material

To do full justice to the theme of a feature article, the writer has to go about
collecting material from several sources. While there are numerous sources to be
tapped from, the writer has to know which source to tap, and what information
to seek. For example, if the feature article is to be on delinquent children, or
children addicted to certain drugs, the best sources will be the local government’s
department of welfare office for children, office of the drugs controller, local
police department in charge of apprehending addicted children and reforming
them. There will also be many non-governmental bodies involved in such tasks
that can be contacted.
Similarly, there are many local, state, regional, national, and international
organizations; voluntary associations; civic bodies; state and central government
offices that provide key information and useful details on many subjects on which
feature articles are written. These sources need to be tapped for the latest and
accurate information. Materials procured from these organizations constitute integral
part of features on the relevant topics, and can lend authenticity to features.

5.4.4 Researching the Topic

Most often, features have to be packed with facts, figures, statistics and happenings
from the past - generally history. The feature writer’s most important responsibility
is to make sure that whatever details are provided in the features are accurate to
the extent possible. In order to assure this, the writer has to do adequate research
on the topic that is under treatment.
Thus, researching for the feature is an essential part of good writing. Moreover,
a good feature has to reflect on all possible aspects of the topic. Therefore,
consulting authoritative sources is imperative. Even editors using your feature will
like this done as fully as possible. For, it will be the Editor who will have to bear
the brunt in the event of inaccurate information found in the feature.
So, what is research? How is research done? Which and where are the sources
for research? Consult your Editor. The Editor is the best person to tell you what
exactly is required and what aspects of the feature are necessary and critical, and
require latest thinking.
In any case, some of the following research sources are quite reliable: your office
morgue -the clippings library that is maintained in every office. Newspaper cuttings,
old magazine articles, notes and archives, reference materials -yearbooks, annuals,
subject special handbooks- PR literature and publicity brochures, handouts, etc.,
also contain a variety of allied and useful information on your feature topic. Your
colleagues in the publication across all its sections / divisions too can pitch in many
useful suggestions, ideas. web sites, portals, blogs, news groups, facebook and
several other social media discussions, university/public libraries too help a lot.
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Analytical Writing In addition, there are NGOs, voluntary, autonomous and government bodies,
consumer and special groups, independent experts, academic researchers, social
workers, private and commercial organizations, reports from government
departments. And, finally, seek out the RTI for more.
Check Your Progress 2
Note: 1) Use the space given below for your Answer.
2) Compare your answer with those given at the end of this Unit.
1. If you are required to do a feature article on incidence of AIDS in your town,
what sources would you tap?
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2. What criteria would adopt in choosing a subject for daily newspaper which
is meant for young adults and another one for adults?
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3. What are the reference sources a feature writer should use?
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5.5 FREELANCING FEATURES

If you are a prolific writer, there is a plenty of scope for freelancing your features,
and making some money too. While many newspapers and magazines do maintain
their own regular Features Department, often replete with competent and
experienced feature writers, but novel ideas for features are always acceptable
and welcome. Even reputed and established publications are open to fresh, timeless,
and off beat features. However, it is also important to know which newspaper or
magazine wants what type of features, and when.
Usually, there are two ways of marketing features: features can be sold to ‘Feature
Syndicates’ also. You can do it on your own: offer the same feature to local
newspapers, regional papers and even foreign publications by personally contacting
the editors. Some overseas publications will entertain features of interest only to
sophisticated, knowledgeable sections of their society.

5.5.1 Studying Market for Selling Features

As stated above, the feature market is vast and operates at various levels: local,
regional, national and worldwide. But, the moot question is: how to know who
74 wants what, when, how much and how often?
There are two ways of knowing all these points: by personal contacts; and/or by Feature Writing
being intimately familiar with the contents of publications, their policies, their
political affiliations and financial standing, besides their general outlook such as
circulations, interests of their readers whether they accept contributions from
freelancers.
In addition, as freelance contributor, it would be profitable for you to know the
nature of the contents of the publication you are aiming to send you feature to.
As you know, almost every publication has its areas of interests laid down. One
needs to know this. This can be gauged from the contents of a few of their issues.
Besides the newspapers, specialized magazines’ needs are obvious from their
titles: Femina, Sports Star, Businessworld, Screen, Outlook, Filmfare, etc. There
is no point in contacting them for contributing features if it is not in their forte.

5.5.2 Addressing/Contacting Editors

Perhaps you would know, it is the Editor of a publication who lays down rules
and regulations on all crucial editorial matters. But, after once laying down
general guidelines of the magazine/newspaper, he can not be expected to attend
to every matter. Commissioning or accepting features articles are generally the
responsibility of the News Editor/Features Editor or an Assistant Editor.
So, in such a situation, a feature journalist will do well to get in touch with the
relevant person nominated for the job. While, it is convenient and possible to
contact on telephone, but it is advisable to use email or personal written
correspondence for eliciting information regarding. The nature of features
acceptable, word limit, pictures deadlines, monthly, fortnightly, weekly of such
requirement. An informal / personal response confirming the arrangement will seal
the matter.

5.6 LET US SUM UP

In this Unit, our endeavour has been to familiarize you with almost all aspect of
feature writing. With this end in view, this unit provided you the definition of a
feature; listed the essential ingredients of a feature article; differentiated between
a feature and other journalistic and media writings. We also detailed the various
kinds/categories and types of features, and enlightened you about what goes in
each type; then, we told you how to write a feature; how to choose topic for
writing a feature; the kind of preparation you need to do to write the feature; how
and what sources to tap and research to do for procuring adequate material to
do the feature article. And, finally, we told you in detail how to freelance your
features and contact editors for using your articles so that you can earn some
money from your features.

5.7 FURTHER READING

1. Features for Flair, Press Institute of India, Chennai, India
2. Writing Feature Articles by Brendan Hennessy, Focal Press, Boston, USA
3. Feature Writing for Journalists by Sharon Wheeler, Routledge, New York,
USA
4. The Essential Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers by Vicky
Hay, Columbia University Press, New York, USA
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Analytical Writing 5. Feature Writing for Newspapers and Magazines by Edward Jay Friedlander
and John Lee, Pearson Press, Boston, USA
The Indian Express, New Delhi, carries at least two – three feature articles
everyday. This paper publishes extended features almost daily. This paper’s
Sunday magazine, The Eye, also publishes two-three features every Sunday.
A regular perusal of this magazine can help feature writers and would be
feature journalists in brushing their skills further. You can also pursue other
regional and national newspapers such as the the Telegraph, Kolkata; The
Hindu, Chennai; The Tribune, Chandigarh;, The Times of India, Mumbai.
Notable magazines: India Today, Tehelka, Savvy, Celebrity, Open.

5.8 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS: POSSIBLE

ANSWERS
Check Your Progress 1
1. A feature article is a piece written with a view to elaborate about an exclusive
or a particular characteristic distinct, special, marked, specific designated
information or details of an issue, knowledge or guidance on a given event
or an happening, subject or a place. It is not a news story.
2. A news story has to be objective, topical, fresh, bare facts, generally fitted
in a strait-jacket frame to meet the text-book discipline, i.e., 5 Ws and 1 H.
But a feature article is not necessarily written in that formulaic manner.
Check Your Progress 2
1. There are innumerable local, state, regional, national, and international
organizations; voluntary associations; civic bodies; state and central government
offices that provide key information and useful details on many subjects on
which feature articles are written.
2. For young adults - sports, pop stars, music, films, fashion, adventure, travel,
motoring, food, science & technology, computers and cybernetics. And for
middle aged reader, politics and politicians, finance, health, and health system
such as gyms and spa, spiritual leaders/ godmen, career men and women,
gardening, environment, food, law and order, legal system, defence and
security paraphernalia.
3. Newspaper office morgue - the news slip library with PR literature and
publicity brochures, handouts, Web sites, portals, blogs, news groups,
Facebook and several other social media discussions, and university/public
libraries.

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