Feature writing is all about finding compelling angles that resonate with readers. From emotional human interest stories to timely trend pieces, journalists must tap into what makes a story unique and engaging.
Developing strong feature ideas requires a mix of creativity and news sense. Writers need to assess newsworthiness factors like timeliness and relevance while also crafting narratives that connect on a personal level through vivid storytelling techniques.
Story Angles
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Emotional and Human Interest Elements
- Human interest stories focus on personal experiences and struggles of individuals or groups
- Emotional appeal engages readers by evoking feelings (empathy, joy, sadness)
- Uniqueness highlights uncommon or extraordinary aspects of a situation or person
- Compelling narratives often combine multiple angles to create a well-rounded story
- Writers use descriptive language and vivid details to bring stories to life
Techniques for Developing Story Angles
- Conduct in-depth interviews to uncover personal anecdotes and perspectives
- Research historical context to add depth to current events
- Explore cultural significance of traditions or practices
- Analyze societal impacts of individual actions or decisions
- Identify universal themes that resonate with a broad audience
Newsworthiness Factors
Timeliness and Relevance
- Timeliness refers to the immediacy or currency of a story
- Recent events or developments often have higher news value
- Relevance connects the story to readers' interests, concerns, or daily lives
- News pegs link feature stories to current events or trending topics
- Seasonal themes can make stories timely (holiday traditions, back-to-school)
Assessing and Enhancing Newsworthiness
- Monitor current events and social media trends for potential story ideas
- Identify anniversaries of significant historical events as news pegs
- Analyze local impacts of national or global issues to increase relevance
- Consider the target audience's demographics and interests
- Look for unique angles on popular topics to stand out from other coverage
Types of Feature Stories
Trend and Seasonal Stories
- Trend stories examine emerging patterns or shifts in society, culture, or technology
- Writers research statistics, expert opinions, and real-life examples to support trend analysis
- Seasonal stories focus on recurring events or themes tied to specific times of year
- Holiday traditions, annual festivals, and sports seasons often inspire seasonal features
- Both trend and seasonal stories require thorough research and multiple sources
Evergreen Content and Long-Form Features
- Evergreen content remains relevant and interesting over extended periods
- Topics include timeless human experiences, historical events, or enduring cultural phenomena
- Long-form features provide in-depth exploration of complex subjects
- Writers often combine multiple storytelling techniques in long-form pieces
- Extensive research, interviews, and fact-checking are crucial for comprehensive features