Feature Writing Unit 2 Review: Generating Story Ideas and Angles

What's This Unit About?

• Focuses on the crucial skill of generating compelling story ideas and angles for feature writing
• Explores various techniques and strategies to consistently come up with fresh, engaging story concepts
• Emphasizes the importance of creativity, curiosity, and keen observation in the ideation process
• Covers the role of research and fact-gathering in developing well-rounded story ideas
• Discusses the evaluation criteria for determining the viability and potential impact of a story idea
  • Considers factors such as relevance, timeliness, human interest, and target audience
• Provides practical exercises and real-world examples to reinforce the concepts and techniques taught
• Includes insights and advice from experienced feature writers on their ideation processes and best practices

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Story idea: the central theme, topic, or concept that forms the foundation of a feature article
• Angle: the specific perspective, approach, or focus taken when developing a story idea
  • Determines the unique selling point and differentiating factor of the article
• Brainstorming: the creative process of generating multiple ideas and possibilities without judgment
• Mind mapping: a visual brainstorming technique that involves creating a diagram to organize and connect related ideas
• Freewriting: a writing exercise that involves continuously writing without stopping, editing, or censoring thoughts
• Newsjacking: the practice of leveraging current events or trending topics to generate relevant story ideas
• Evergreen content: story ideas that remain relevant and engaging over an extended period, regardless of current events
• Human interest: stories that focus on the personal experiences, emotions, and perspectives of individuals

Brainstorming Techniques

• Mind mapping: create a visual diagram with the central theme in the middle and branch out with related ideas and subtopics
• Freewriting: set a timer and write continuously without stopping, allowing ideas to flow freely without judgment
• Listing: generate a list of potential story ideas, topics, or angles related to a central theme or subject
• Word association: start with a key word or phrase and write down all the related words, concepts, and ideas that come to mind
• Reverse brainstorming: identify common assumptions or conventional approaches to a topic and explore opposite or unconventional perspectives
• Collaborative brainstorming: engage in group ideation sessions, leveraging diverse perspectives and building upon each other's ideas
• Scenario planning: create hypothetical scenarios or "what if" questions to generate unique story ideas and angles
  • Example: "What if a major city banned all private vehicles?"

Finding Unique Angles

• Look for the human element: focus on the personal stories, experiences, and emotions of individuals affected by a larger issue or trend
• Explore unintended consequences: investigate the unexpected or overlooked effects of a policy, event, or phenomenon
• Contrast and compare: juxtapose two seemingly unrelated subjects or ideas to reveal interesting connections or insights
• Localize a global story: find the local impact or relevance of a broader national or international story
• Take a historical perspective: examine how a current issue or trend has evolved and compare it to similar situations in the past
• Investigate the "why" behind a story: delve deeper into the underlying causes, motivations, or factors driving a particular event or trend
• Highlight solutions: instead of focusing solely on problems, explore potential solutions or innovative approaches to addressing an issue

Research Methods for Story Ideas

• Conduct interviews: speak with experts, stakeholders, or individuals with unique perspectives on a topic to gather insights and story ideas
• Analyze data and statistics: look for patterns, trends, or anomalies in data sets that could lead to interesting story angles
• Monitor social media: track trending topics, hashtags, and online discussions to identify emerging stories or angles
• Attend events and conferences: participate in industry events, workshops, or conferences to discover new ideas and network with potential sources
• Read extensively: stay informed about your beat or area of interest by reading a wide range of publications, blogs, and journals
• Utilize public records: access government documents, reports, and databases to uncover potential story ideas and supporting information
• Engage with your audience: solicit feedback, questions, or story suggestions from your readers or followers to generate ideas that resonate with their interests

Evaluating Story Potential

• Assess newsworthiness: consider factors such as timeliness, relevance, significance, and proximity to determine if a story idea is newsworthy
• Gauge audience interest: evaluate whether the story idea aligns with the interests, needs, and preferences of your target audience
• Determine uniqueness: assess whether the story idea offers a fresh perspective or angle that sets it apart from existing coverage
• Consider storytelling potential: evaluate the story idea's potential for compelling narrative, engaging characters, and emotional resonance
• Assess feasibility: determine whether the story idea is realistic to pursue given available resources, time constraints, and access to sources
• Evaluate impact: consider the potential impact of the story, such as its ability to inform, educate, inspire, or drive change
• Align with editorial mission: ensure that the story idea aligns with the overall editorial mission, values, and goals of the publication or platform

Practical Exercises and Examples

• "The Ripple Effect": choose a significant event or decision and trace its impact on various individuals, communities, or industries over time
• "The Untold Story": identify a well-known story or event and explore a lesser-known aspect or perspective that has been overlooked
• "The Everyday Hero": profile an ordinary person who has made an extraordinary impact in their community or field
• "The Turning Point": examine a pivotal moment or decision that changed the course of an individual's life or an organization's trajectory
• "The Numbers Game": use data analysis to uncover surprising trends, patterns, or disparities related to a particular issue or topic
• "The Culture Clash": explore the tensions, challenges, and opportunities that arise when different cultures or belief systems intersect
• "The Ripple Effect": investigate how a seemingly small or localized event can have far-reaching consequences across multiple domains

Tips and Tricks from Pro Writers

• Carry a notebook: always be prepared to jot down ideas, observations, or snippets of conversation that could spark a story idea
• Embrace curiosity: approach the world with a sense of wonder and an insatiable desire to learn, ask questions, and explore new subjects
• Read widely: expose yourself to a diverse range of topics, genres, and perspectives to broaden your creative horizons and generate unexpected connections
• Engage with people: strike up conversations with strangers, attend community events, and immerse yourself in different environments to gather story ideas
• Follow your passions: pursue story ideas that align with your personal interests, as your enthusiasm will shine through in your writing
• Think visually: consider how a story idea could be enhanced by compelling visuals, such as photos, infographics, or videos
• Collaborate with others: brainstorm with colleagues, friends, or mentors to generate fresh perspectives and refine your story ideas
• Embrace rejection: view rejected story ideas as opportunities to refine your pitch, find a better angle, or explore alternative outlets